FAQ - Creating & Maintaining Events
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What exactly is an event?
A PWD event holds all the information and images related to a real-world event. For each real-world event you photograph, you will setup an event within your PWD site. You will work within an event to add and manipulate images, order products for that event, share the images with the event owner (the bride and groom, most likely), and more.

Here at PWD, we are geared towards weddings, but an event can contain anything you like: Bar-Mitzvahs, engagement sessions, model shoots, or just some photos you wish to share and offer for sale.
Can you give me an overview of how I would setup and manage an event using PWD?
Once you've created a new studio account, you will be able to setup your first event with PWD. The process will look like this:

  1. Create New Event - Enter a name and other details for the event and the event owners (the bride and groom). You can also choose to set a password for the event at this point.
  2. Send Images and Choose Post-Processing Options - You may send the images to us in one of three ways: upload via FTP, upload via the web, or send discs through the mail. If you want us to do the post-production grunt work, you can send the unedited files and let us choose the best images, color correct them, and even convert from RAW format if needed. Otherwise, you can send your own edited images and they'll go directly to your event online.
  3. Organize and Manage Event Images - If you decided to let us edit your images, you will receive an email from us when they're done. Either way, once they are uploaded and ready, you will have the ability to add or remove images from the event, organize images into categories, create folders, perform minor edits, and more.
  4. Release Event to Owner - When you are happy with your event, simply release the event to the owner and they will receive an email with their own username and password. This will allow them to view the event before anyone else sees it. They will have the ability to make their own folders, hide images, and make purchases right away.
  5. Release Event to Family & Friends - Once the event owner is happy, either you or they can release the event to family and friends. This will send an announcement to anyone added to the family and friends list for that event, and it will also allow them to find and enter the event via the PWD search page.
  6. Sell Prints and Make Clients Happy - With the event released, people will be able to purchase prints and other products based on the pricing you set for the event. Friends and family can sign the event guest book, users can share low-res photos via email, and everyone can make their own folders to show off their favorite images. Meanwhile, you'll be able to choose from our proof options and other products to wow your clients with.
Can I create an event that is not for a wedding?
Yes. When you create a new event, you can choose "wedding" or "event" from the Type drop-down menu. Though the PWD site is geared towards wedding and event photographers, our service will work perfectly for almost any type of photographer.
Why are some of the options in my Events menu grayed out?
You may not be able to choose certain Events menu options for one of two reasons:

  1. You don't have an event selected. You must select an event before you can do anything with it. To select an event, choose List All Events from the Events menu, then choose the event you wish to work with. The currently selected event will appear in the top-right of whatever page you're on.
  2. Your event images are not ready yet. If you have not sent in images, or if they are not finished with post-processing, you will not be able to view the images, order products, or release the event. You will receive an email once your images are ready, and you will then have full access to the menu options.
Why do I need to enter the bride and groom's contact info when setting up an event?
Entering this info serves multiple purposes:

  1. You will be able to maintain a list of your brides and grooms for future reference.
  2. Entering their address information on the Event Details page lets you easily drop-ship products to the bride and groom.
  3. Once the event images are uploaded and ready for viewing, you will be able to release the event and have a notification email sent directly to the event owner.
How do I password-protect an event? Do I have to password-protect an event?
On the Event Creation page, you will have the opportunity to enter a password for the event. If you do not wish to password-protect an event, just leave the fields blank. If you decide later to add or change a password, you may do so by going to the Event Details page from the Events menu and editing the Event Information section.
What is a "sample event?"
Sample events are a way to show off your best photos and to demo your event pages to potential clients. While creating an event, you may choose to make the event a sample event. It will then be listed as such on your Studio Details page, and anyone viewing the page will be able to enter and browse the sample event. We recommend creating at least one sample event as a marketing tool. Please note that visitors cannot place orders from within a sample event.
I messed up when setting up an event! Can I change the info?
Not a problem. You can edit all the information for an event in the Event Details page which can be accessed from the Events menu. Just be sure to click save after updating any information.
What are event discounts?
Event discounts allow you to discount product prices for an event based on start and end dates. For more information, please see the "Event Discounts" section of the FAQ.
On the Event Details page, what is the Totals section?
The Totals section helps you keep track of any images related to the event and their status. Once you send in images for the event, it will inform you of whether they have been received, edited, etc. You will also receive email notifications when images are received and edited.
On the Event Details page, what is the Event Status section?
The Event Status section lets you know where you are in the event process. It's a way to quickly see what has been done and what steps need to be taken next.
On the Event Details page, what are the Event Display Preferences?
Setting the viewing preferences on this page will set the default page view you and your clients will see when viewing images for the selected event only. If you want to set the viewing preferences for the entire studio, you may do so on the Studio Profile page.
On the Event Details page, what is the Release Dates section?
This section tells you the dates on which the event was released to the event owner (the bride and groom) and also to family and friends. This section will be empty for a new event, as an event can only be released after images have been uploaded.
One of my events has expired. Can I get it back?
You may change the event expiration date at any time. Simply go to the Event Details page via the Events menu and edit the Event Information section. Choose your expiration time from the drop-down menu.

If your event has been deactivated due to expiring, you may choose to reactivate and unlock the event from the Event Information section of the Event Details page.
What's the difference between locking an event and deactivating it?
You may lock or deactivate any of your events to restrict access to them. While the two options are similar, they serve different purposes:

Lock: The lock feature is intended as a temporary status so that you may keep users from logging into an event while you work on it. This may occur if you have released an event and then realize you missed something important. When an event is locked, users will still be able to find it via the search feature, but they will not be able to log in to view the event.

Deactivate: The deactivate feature is intended to be a more permanent option. When you would like to close down an event for good, use the deactivate feature. A deactivated event will not be searchable, and users will have no ability to view it.

Both the lock and activate features are accessible from the Event Details page under the Event Information section. Both features can also be undone (unlocked or reactivated) from this screen.