Categories
Picstome

Picstome 2.0

From Simple Photo Galleries to a Full Studio Business Hub

When I first wrote about Picstome as a free open-source tool, the goal was simple: build a clean, self-hosted gallery system that photographers could actually control. Later, when Picstome grew up with a hosted platform, we opened it up so anyone could use it without needing to manage their own server.

Today, we are taking our biggest leap forward yet with Picstome 2.0.

What started as a side project for photo delivery has now crossed some incredible milestones:

  • 278,791 photos stored and delivered.
  • 1,040 active photographers managing their clients on the platform.

With 2.0, Picstome transforms from just a gallery delivery tool into a complete business hub for photography studios.

What’s New in Picstome 2.0?

Instead of switching between separate apps for client galleries, invoicing, file transfers, and feedback, Picstome 2.0 brings your entire post-shoot workflow under one roof. Here are the core highlights:

  • Invoicing Built Right In: Create professional invoice PDFs directly inside Picstome with your logo, brand colors, VAT/IRPF rules, and public QR verification links. If you receive payments via Stripe, you can convert them into an invoice with a single click.
  • Photo Versioning: No more cluttering galleries with duplicate copies for different edits. Group original shots, warmer edits, and B&W options under a single photo, compare versions at full resolution, and keep all client comments connected.
  • Direct Camera-to-Gallery Uploads: Connect compatible cameras via FTP/SFTP and stream photos straight into a Picstome gallery during a shoot, managed directly from your phone without needing a laptop on set.
  • Pinned Detail Comments: Clients can now drop comment pins on exact coordinates of a photo to show precisely where a retouch or crop is needed.
  • Single Client Portal: Give regular clients a single link where they can view all their past and present shared galleries in one branded place.
  • PDF Deliveries & Studio Tools: Attach briefs, contracts, and price lists directly alongside photos in galleries. We’ve also added a built-in session price calculator (accounting for equipment depreciation and recurring expenses) and a quick full-screen black display tool (Ctrl+B / ⌘B) for studio shoots or screen cleaning.

The Vision Ahead

Picstome 2.0 includes over 90 updates across security, performance, storage optimization, and UI polish. Whether you prefer running the open-source version or using our cloud service, the goal remains the same: spending less time handling admin work and more time shooting.