Best Way for Clients to Choose Favourite Photos

The best way for clients to choose favourite photos is to let them make selections directly inside the gallery where they are viewing the images. That keeps each choice attached to the correct photograph and avoids turning a simple decision into a chain of emails, screenshots and filename lists.

For photographers, the goal is not simply to give clients a heart button. It is to create a selection process that is obvious to the client and useful when the photographer returns to the job afterwards.

Why emailed filenames create unnecessary work

A common proofing workflow asks clients to write down filenames and email them back to the photographer.

It works, but it creates several opportunities for confusion. Clients may mistype filenames, leave part of the number out, refer to screenshots rather than files or send several revised lists as they change their mind.

The photographer then has to reconstruct those decisions inside their editing workflow.

Screenshots are even harder to manage

Clients sometimes respond to proofs by taking screenshots of the photographs they like.

That may feel easy from their side, but screenshots can crop out filenames, lose the original order and make it difficult for the photographer to identify the exact photograph selected.

A built-in gallery selection is much cleaner because the choice remains associated with the original image.

Spreadsheets can work for commercial jobs

There are situations where a spreadsheet is appropriate, particularly when commercial teams need to record additional information beside each image.

For ordinary portrait, family, wedding or headshot proofing, however, asking a client to maintain a separate document usually adds a layer of administration that the gallery could handle itself.

Gallery favourites keep viewing and choosing together

The simplest client experience is usually to browse the photographs and mark favourites without leaving the gallery.

The client can concentrate on the pictures while the photographer receives an organised selection connected to the actual files.

FolioDen's proofing tools support this kind of client-selection workflow.

Tell clients what the favourite button means

Do not assume clients understand why they are marking favourites.

If they are choosing ten photographs for final retouching, say that. If favourites will be used for an album shortlist, explain that instead.

A selection tool is only useful when the client knows what their choices will be used for.

Give clients a clear number where appropriate

If the package includes a fixed number of finished photographs, tell the client how many they should choose before they begin.

This prevents somebody carefully selecting thirty favourites and later discovering their package included ten.

For more detail, see How Many Proofs Should You Send to a Client?

Do not overwhelm clients with almost identical photographs

A good favourite-selection workflow begins with good culling.

If the photographer sends every slight variation from the session, the client may spend most of their time comparing expressions that are almost identical.

Give them enough variety to make a meaningful decision without making the process unnecessarily difficult.

Make favourites work well on mobile

Many clients will first open their gallery from a phone.

The selection control therefore needs to remain obvious and easy to use on a smaller screen. If clients repeatedly tap the wrong control or cannot tell whether an image has been selected, the workflow is not really saving time.

Allow clients to review their choices

People often change their mind while browsing a gallery.

A useful favourites workflow should allow them to review the photographs they have marked before they consider the selection finished.

That is much easier than revising an emailed filename list several times.

Set a deadline when selections affect the next stage

If final retouching cannot begin until the client chooses their photographs, give them a sensible selection deadline.

Explain why the deadline exists rather than presenting it as an arbitrary restriction.

Keep selections separate from downloads

Choosing a favourite and downloading a photograph are different actions.

During proofing, the photographer may want the client to make selections without treating the proof files as the final delivered photographs.

Our guide to proofing versus downloads explains that distinction.

What happens after the client chooses?

The photographer should have a repeatable process for turning the returned favourites into the next stage of the job.

That may mean detailed retouching, album design, additional-image purchasing or preparing the final delivery gallery.

See How to Use Favourites in a Photo Proofing Workflow for the photographer side of that process.

Where FolioDen fits

FolioDen keeps client galleries and proofing selections together so photographers can receive favourites without asking clients to build separate filename lists.

You can explore proofing, view client galleries, open the demo gallery or create a free account.

Portrait photographers can also read how to help portrait clients choose favourite images.