Delivering a client gallery is the final, most important step in any shoot, and leaving it unprotected can expose private moments to the wrong people. Pixieset offers four distinct layers of protection, including Collection Passwords, Homepage Passwords, Client Exclusive Access, and Folder-level Master Passwords, each built for a different scenario. The challenge is that Pixieset’s own help center spreads these features across multiple disconnected articles, forcing photographers to piece the full picture together themselves.
Featured Snippet
To password-protect a Pixieset gallery, open the Client Gallery Dashboard, select the Collection, go to Settings > Privacy, enter a password in the Collection Password field, then press Enter to save. This requires anyone with the gallery link to enter the password before viewing any photos.
How to Password Protect a Pixieset Gallery:
- Open your Pixieset Client Gallery Dashboard
- Select the Collection you want to protect
- Go to Settings > Privacy
- Enter a password in the Collection Password field, or click Generate for a random one
- Press Enter to save the password
Both versions lead with the exact query phrasing and answer it in the first sentence, something Pixieset’s own help docs don’t do, since they open with brand/feature framing rather than a direct instructional answer. This structure gives Google a clean, quotable block to lift for the snippet. At the same time, your fuller article underneath still ranks for the long-tail variations (homepage password, client exclusive access, etc.).
How Password Protection
| Protection Method | What It Locks | Who Can Bypass Others | Password Type | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collection Password | The entire gallery (all photos in one Collection) | No one without the exact password | Custom or auto-generated | Delivering one gallery to one client |
| Homepage Password | Only the public portfolio homepage — not individual collections | Anyone with a direct collection link, even without the homepage password | Custom or auto-generated | Hiding your general portfolio from public visitors |
| Client Exclusive Access | Specific “private” photo sets within a Collection | Guests can view public sets but not client-only sets | Two separate passwords (Guest + Client) | Weddings/events with mixed public and private content |
| Folder Password | Multiple Collections at once via a shared master password | Overrides individual collection passwords for easier access | One master password | Showing several sample galleries to prospects |
| Download PIN | Only the download action, not gallery viewing | Viewers can see photos but not download without the PIN | Auto-generated 4-digit code | Preventing unauthorized bulk downloads |
Common Reasons Why the Password Isn’t Working
| Cause | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Hidden Space in Password | Copy-pasting a password often carries an invisible leading or trailing space, which makes it a different string entirely | Reopen Settings > Privacy, delete the password completely, and retype it manually instead of pasting |
| Case Sensitivity | Pixieset passwords are case-sensitive, so “Photo2026” and “photo2026” are treated as different passwords | Confirm the exact capitalization with the client and double-check Caps Lock is off |
| Wrong Password Type Entered | Clients confuse the Homepage Password with the Collection Password, since these are separate systems protecting different pages | Clarify which password applies — Homepage Password only unlocks the portfolio page, not individual galleries |
| Guest vs Client Password Mix-Up | When Client Exclusive Access is on, guests and clients each get a different password, and using the wrong one blocks access | Confirm whether the person should be entering as a Guest or as a Client, and send the correct password accordingly |
| Outdated Password After a Change | If the photographer regenerated or edited the password after the first email was sent, the old one no longer works | Resend the client the current password from Settings > Privacy after any change |
| Browser Autofill Errors | Saved browser autofill data can insert an old or incorrect password automatically | Clear the password field completely and type it fresh instead of relying on autofill |
| Wrong Collection Link | Clients sometimes reuse an old email or bookmark pointing to a previous, different gallery | Resend the correct, current Collection link along with the password |
Which Method Should You Use?
Choosing the right method depends on who needs access and why. If you’re delivering one gallery to one client, a Collection Password is enough on its own. If you want your public portfolio hidden from casual visitors while individual collections stay separately controlled, use a Homepage Password. For weddings or events where guests and the couple need different access levels, combine a Collection Password with Client Exclusive Access, so private sets stay hidden from guests.
If you regularly show multiple sample galleries during client pitches, group them into a Folder Password instead of memorizing separate passwords. For extra protection against unauthorized downloads, layer in the automatic Download PIN. Most professional photographers don’t rely on a single method; they stack two or three layers depending on the sensitivity of the shoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I password protect a Pixieset gallery on the free plan?
Yes, password protection is available on every Pixieset plan, including the free tier. Collection Password, Homepage Password, and Download PIN are all standard features and are not locked behind a paid upgrade.
Does the password expire after a certain time?
No, a Pixieset password stays active indefinitely until you manually change or remove it. There is no automatic expiration, so you’re responsible for updating it if you want to revoke old access.
Can I set different passwords for different collections?
Yes, each Collection has its own independent password field. Changing the password on one gallery has no effect on any other gallery in your account, unless they’re grouped under a shared Folder Password.
Will my client need to re-enter the password every time they visit?
Not usually. Most browsers remember the session after the first correct entry, but if the client switches devices, uses incognito mode, or clears cookies, they will be prompted to enter it again.
Can I remove a password after adding one?
Yes, simply clear the Collection Password field in Settings > Privacy and save. The gallery instantly becomes accessible to anyone with the link, so only do this once you’re certain it should be public.
Does password protection work the same way on the Pixieset mobile app?
Yes, clients entering a gallery through the Pixieset mobile app are prompted for the same password set on the web dashboard, since both platforms pull from the same privacy settings.
Can search engines index a password-protected gallery?
No, password-protected collections are not crawlable by search engines, since the content sits behind an authentication wall, which also helps prevent your unpublished work from appearing in public search results.
Is a Collection Password enough, or should I also enable Client Exclusive Access?
A Collection Password alone is sufficient for straightforward deliveries. Client Exclusive Access is only necessary when different viewers, like guests versus a couple, need to see different sets of photos within the same gallery.
Conclusion
Password protecting a Pixieset gallery isn’t a single setting, it’s a layered system built around who should see what. A Collection Password secures the gallery itself, a Homepage Password shields your public portfolio, Client Exclusive Access separates guests from clients, and a Folder Password simplifies managing multiple deliveries at once. Rather than relying on one method, the strongest approach combines two or three layers based on the shoot’s sensitivity. Understanding how these settings work together, not just how to enable them individually, is what actually keeps client work private and builds the kind of trust that turns first-time clients into repeat ones.