Your portfolio is the work.
Not the CMS.
Aperture gives you a photo-first portfolio, passcode-protected client galleries, and print orders with zero platform fee on print sales.
THEME
Aperture
Photo-first editorial layout with a lightbox.
Live Preview →Everything a working photographer needs
Publish the portfolio, proof the shoot, ship the print. One stack, your Stripe, zero commission.
Galleries that keep the format you upload
Images keep the format you upload (JPEG, PNG, WebP or GIF, up to 10 MB each), so resize large photos before you upload them. A gallery in a post holds up to 24 images in two, three or four columns, with captions and a lightbox.
Password-protected client proofing
Private galleries sit behind a passcode you set for each gallery. Send the client the link and the passcode, let them browse the set and mark favourites, set an expiry date, and choose whether they can download the images. No PDFs, no screen-share calls, no third-party proofing tool tax.
Aperture theme — built around the frame
Aperture is a photo-first layout with full-bleed post covers and generous spacing. Its post lightbox has previous and next buttons and opens with a click or the Enter or Space key. Captions sit under the image so they never compete with it. Its palette is a fixed near-black, so photographs sit on a neutral ground.
Print orders through Stripe
List a 16x20 archival print as a product, set shipping zones, and let Stripe handle the checkout. VeloCMS charges zero platform fee on sales; Stripe's own processing fee still applies.
Client galleries with an expiry date and a download policy
Set an expiry date on a client gallery and choose what clients can download: the full-size file, a watermarked copy, or nothing. Downloads are off until you switch them on, and the default policy is watermarked copies. Your clients can mark favourites in the gallery, and you can see which frames they picked on the gallery's edit page.
Contact, contracts, and invoices from one inbox
Built-in contact blocks feed Resend-powered emails, and the e-commerce layer handles booking deposits without any plugin chain. Booking confirmation emails carry a calendar invite; send the session contract as a PDF in a follow-up from your own inbox, tag the client in your members database, and route everything to your existing inbox.
VeloCMS vs Squarespace vs Format
| Feature | VeloCMS | Squarespace | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo galleries with captions and a lightbox | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Password-protected galleries | Yes | Paid plan | Yes |
| Client gallery expiry date and download policy | Yes | No | No |
| Print order e-commerce | 0% fee | Transaction fee varies by plan | Plan product limits |
| Limited-edition print cap with automatic refund if oversold | Yes | No | No |
| Custom domain included | Yes | Paid plan | Paid plan |
| Export posts, members and a media list | Yes | ZIP only | ZIP only |
| Built-in booking inquiry form | Yes | Add-on | No |
Print store
Sell prints with one click — straight from the post
- ✓Add a print product with your photo, the sizes you sell and the paper finishes on offer
- ✓From photo to live print store: name it, add sizes, hit publish
- ✓Buyers pick size and paper finish; Stripe handles checkout with your own keys
- ✓Limited edition? Set the run size and VeloCMS tracks copies sold automatically
- ✓Zero platform fee on sales — VeloCMS takes no commission on your prints
Admin dashboard preview
Golden Hour at Yosemite
4 sizes · $45 – $220
Blue Ridge Autumn
3 sizes · $35 – $165
Pacific Storm (Ed. 25)
2 sizes · $180 – $320
Manage at /admin/print-products · Stripe sync in one click
Frequently asked questions
What CMS is best for photographers in 2026?
VeloCMS is built for photographers who need photo galleries, client proofing, and print sales without platform commissions. Images keep the format you upload (JPEG, PNG, WebP or GIF, up to 10 MB each), so resize large photos before you upload them.
What image formats and sizes can I upload?
Images keep the format you upload (JPEG, PNG, WebP or GIF, up to 10 MB each), so resize large photos before you upload them. A gallery in a post holds up to 24 images, so split a large shoot across several galleries.
Can I sell prints directly from my blog?
Absolutely. Add a print product with sizes and paper finishes, connect your own Stripe account, and buyers check out without leaving your site. VeloCMS takes zero commission on sales.
How does it compare to Squarespace for photo portfolios?
Squarespace is a general website builder. VeloCMS gives you Aperture, a photo-first theme, plus passcode-protected client galleries and print orders with zero platform fee.
Does it support client proofing galleries?
Yes. Private galleries sit behind a passcode you set — send the client a URL and the passcode, and they can browse, mark favourites and download the images you've enabled. No third-party proofing tool required, no Dropbox sharing, no screen-share calls. Works on mobile too.
Will my Lightroom-exported files upload cleanly?
Export from Lightroom as JPEG. Images keep the format you upload (JPEG, PNG, WebP or GIF, up to 10 MB each), so resize large photos before you upload them. TIFF and RAW files are not accepted. The media library shows a thumbnail for browsing.
Can I migrate from SmugMug?
Download your images from SmugMug and upload them to VeloCMS Media, then recreate your galleries in posts or pages. There is no SmugMug importer. Your custom domain points to VeloCMS with a CNAME update — keeping the same URL structure helps you avoid SEO loss from slug changes.
Can my clients download their photos?
Yes, if you allow it. Downloads are off by default in a client gallery. Switch them on and choose what clients can download: the full-size file, a watermarked copy, or nothing. The default policy is watermarked copies. You can also set the gallery to expire on a date.
Run a free technical SEO, performance, and migration-readiness audit — no signup required.Audit my site
The file. The frame. The fee.
Keep client galleries private and pay zero platform fee on print orders. 14-day trial, cancel anytime, export your posts, members and media list whenever you like.