In Mafelo you can create two types of galleries: private and public. The key difference lies in how clients access photos and how the system manages their data. Choosing the right gallery type depends on whether you are working with an individual client or handling a large event (e.g. at a school).
Key differences and use cases
Photo access: A private gallery requires the client's email and unique password. A public gallery is accessed via a shared link and gallery password.
Client base: A private gallery builds the history of a specific client. A public gallery lets you collect orders from people whose details you did not have beforehand.
Intended use: Private galleries are designed for individual clients (family, outdoor, holiday, and wedding shoots). Public galleries work well for mass sales (schools, kindergartens, events).
Gallery type characteristics
Below you will find a detailed description of both options to help you decide which one to choose in the Photographer Panel.
1. Private gallery (Individual client)
This is the most common choice for 1:1 work. It is used to handle a contract with a specific client whose details (name, email) you enter into the system.
Who it's for: Women's, newborn, family, wedding, and business sessions.
How it works: The client logs in with their email address and password.
Client account: The password is generated automatically by the system when the first gallery is sent.
📣Note: If the client has already used another photographer's services through Mafelo and provided the same email address, all of their private galleries (from different photographers) will be visible under one shared client account.
2. Public gallery (Institutions and reportages)
This type of gallery is used to serve many clients at once, when you do not know their email addresses before taking the photos.
Who it's for: School and kindergarten groups, communions, reportages from sports or dance events.
How it works: To share the photos, you need to generate a link and a gallery password.
Distribution: You pass the link and password to the organizer (e.g. a teacher or the school administration), who then shares them with parents.
⚠️ Important: In a public gallery, everyone who receives the link and password has access to thumbnails of all photos in the gallery, from which they make their selection and place an order. Each parent selects their child's photos and places a separate order.
Order management
Despite the differences in access, managing sales is straightforward in both cases.
In the Clients Orders tab, the process looks similar for both gallery types.
In a public gallery, each order will show additional information about who placed it (details provided by the parent when finalizing the cart).
If you prefer video format, we have prepared a short video explaining the differences between galleries: https://youtu.be/WCrGrXf7NbE
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Does the client need to create a new account for a private gallery?
No. If the client has already logged in to Mafelo (even with another photographer), the system will recognize their email address and assign the new gallery to the existing account.
Can I see who placed an order in a public gallery?
Yes. Even though gallery access is open (via a shared link), the client must provide their details when placing an order. You will find them in the Customer Orders tab.
Can I change the gallery type after it has been created?
No, it is not possible to change the gallery type after it has been created. Due to differences in how the system works, the choice is final. If you accidentally created the wrong gallery type, you will need to delete it and create a new one. In that case, contact us via chat — we will help you find the best solution.