Protecting your work is a top priority. The Screenshot Protection feature in your Gallery is designed to deter unauthorized capturing of your photos by visitors on both desktop and mobile devices. When activated, this feature implements a visual deterrent, displaying an overlay message on desktop devices or applying a blur effect on mobile devices, whenever a screenshot attempt is detected or the gallery is accessed.
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Important Note Screenshot Protection is intended to discourage unauthorized screenshots; however, it cannot ensure absolute prevention. Persistent users may still find ways to capture your photos through undetectable methods. For optimal photo security, we highly recommend using Screenshot Protection in addition to watermarks. |
This article will walk you through:
- Where to Find the Screenshot Protection Setting
- Understanding Where Screenshot Protection Applies
- Setting Up Desktop Screenshot Protection
- Setting Up Mobile Screenshot Protection
- How Screenshot Protection Appears to Your Visitors
- Applying Screenshot Protection to a Gallery Preset
Where to Find the Screenshot Protection Setting
The Screenshot Protection setting is located in your individual Gallery settings.
- In your Zenfolio account, navigate to the Gallery you want to protect.
- Open the Gallery Settings.
- Select the Content tab.
- Click on the Watermark and Protection tab.
- Locate the Screenshot Protection settings section.
Understanding Where Screenshot Protection Applies
Screenshot Protection is applied at the Gallery level and carries through to certain places where that Gallery appears on your website, but not everywhere.
Screenshot Protection is active in:
- The Gallery itself (when viewed directly)
- Linked Gallery Pages on your website (pages that link directly to a Gallery)
- Linked Gallery Blocks on your website (blocks that display a specific Gallery)
Screenshot Protection does NOT apply to:
- Other blocks or page elements on your website that display photos sourced from a Gallery with this setting enabled
- Website photos that are not part of a directly linked Gallery
| Note: If you have photos appearing in other areas of your website outside of a directly linked Gallery or Gallery Block, those photos will not be covered by this protection, even if the source Gallery has Screenshot Protection turned on. |
Setting Up Desktop Screenshot Protection
Desktop protection works by detecting screenshot attempts and immediately displaying a full-screen overlay that blocks the captured photo.
To enable desktop Screenshot Protection:
- In the Screenshot Protection section of your Gallery settings, locate the Desktop Protection toggle and turn it ON.
- In the Title field, enter a short title to display on the overlay (for example, "Protected Photos" or your studio name).
- In the Protection Message field, enter the message you'd like visitors to see when the overlay appears (for example, "These photos are the property of [Your Studio Name] and may not be reproduced without permission.").
| Pro Tip: If you have a logo uploaded in your Account Settings, it will automatically appear in the overlay alongside your title and message — no extra steps required. This is a great way to reinforce your brand even in a protection moment. |
Setting Up Mobile Screenshot Protection
Mobile protection works differently from desktop. Rather than detecting a screenshot and reacting, mobile Screenshot Protection applies a partial blur effect to your photos proactively, making them less usable if captured.
Mobile protection also offers more customization options than the desktop version.
- In the Screenshot Protection section of your Gallery settings, locate the Mobile Protection toggle and turn it ON.
- Decide how broadly you want the protection applied:
- Full Gallery — Applies the blur effect to all thumbnail images in the gallery grid AND to photos in the Lightbox view.
- Lightbox View Only — Applies the blur effect ONLY when a visitor opens an photo in the Lightbox. Thumbnail images in the grid will appear normally.
| Note: If your primary concern is protecting the full-resolution lightbox experience, Lightbox View Only keeps your gallery grid looking its best while still protecting the photos visitors are most likely to try to capture. |
- Choose the blur style you'd like applied to your photos. Three options are available:
- Radial Blur — A circular blur effect radiating from the center of the photo.
- Diagonal Blur — A blur effect applied at a diagonal angle across the photo.
- Vertical Blur — A blur effect applied vertically across the photo.
| Pro Tip: Try each blur style on a test photo to see which looks best with your photography style before applying it to your client galleries. |
- The Mobile Banner displays a message to gallery visitors on mobile, letting them know why some photos appear blurred. This helps set expectations and keeps visitors from thinking something is wrong with your gallery. When enabled, a predetermined banner message is automatically displayed. This message is set by Zenfolio and cannot be edited.
Turn the Mobile Banner toggle on to display the default message to mobile visitors.
How Screenshot Protection Appears to Your Visitors
On Desktop
When a visitor attempts a screenshot that your browser can detect:
- A full-screen overlay immediately appears, displaying your title, protection message, and logo (if one is uploaded in your Account Settings).
- The overlay blocks the screenshot content, so the captured photo shows the overlay instead of your photo.
- The visitor can press the Escape key or click the X button to dismiss the overlay and continue viewing the gallery.
- If they attempt another screenshot, the overlay will reappear.
| Important Note: Desktop screenshot detection relies on browser-level signals. Not all screenshot methods can be detected, and some visitors may use tools or techniques that bypass this detection entirely. |
On Mobile
When a visitor views your gallery on a mobile device with Screenshot Protection enabled:
- Photos appear with a partial blur applied, approximately half the photo will be blurred at any time, based on the blur style you selected.
- If Full Gallery coverage is enabled, the blur appears on both the thumbnail grid and the lightbox view.
- If Lightbox View Only is enabled, the blur appears only when an photo is opened in the lightbox.
- In the lightbox, visitors can tap the photo to toggle the blur — the blurred portion and the visible portion will invert, allowing them to see different areas of the photo, but never the full unblurred photo at once.
- If the Mobile Banner is enabled, a message will appear when a visitor first lands on the gallery, explaining that photos are protected.
| Example: A client opens your portrait Gallery on their phone. They see the thumbnail grid with a diagonal blur applied to each photo. They tap a photo to open the lightbox view, the photo appears half-blurred. They tap the photo and the blur toggles to the other half. At the bottom of the Gallery, a banner explains that the photos are protected. |
Applying Screenshot Protection to a Gallery Preset
If you regularly want Screenshot Protection enabled on your Galleries, you don't have to configure it manually each time. You can add it to a Gallery Preset so that any new Gallery created using that preset will automatically have your preferred Screenshot Protection settings applied.
To configure Screenshot Protection in a Gallery Preset:
- In your Zenfolio account, navigate to Gallery Presets.
- Open the preset you want to update, or create a new one.
- Select the Content tab within the preset settings.
- Scroll to the Watermark and Deterrent section.
- Configure your Desktop and Mobile Screenshot Protection settings exactly as you would for an individual Gallery (see the sections above).
- Click Done to apply the preset.
Going forward, any new Gallery you create using this preset will automatically have Screenshot Protection configured with your saved settings. For more information about using Gallery Presets, click HERE.
| Pro Tip: If you shoot volume jobs or regularly deliver client galleries, setting up Screenshot Protection in your Gallery Preset is a great way to make sure every gallery is protected without adding extra steps to your workflow. |
| Note: Existing Galleries will not be updated automatically when the settings of a preset are modified. It is recommended to manually update these settings for each Gallery individually, rather than applying a new Preset in bulk. |
A Note on the Limits of Screenshot Protection
While Screenshot Protection is a meaningful layer of defense for your photos, it is important to understand what it can and cannot do.
| Important Note: No screenshot protection technology can prevent all unauthorized captures. Visitors may use external cameras, screen recording software, or other methods that cannot be detected or blocked. Screenshot Protection is a deterrent, not a guarantee. For the most effective photo protection strategy, use Screenshot Protection alongside watermarking. |
If you have questions about protecting your photos or need help setting up Screenshot Protection, our helpful Zenfolio Pros are here to help.