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Start here: choose your setup

OpenPortrait is one container that you run yourself. Your clients, contracts, galleries and photos stay on hardware and accounts you control. This page shows every way to set it up, what each one costs, and where to go next. Follow the arrows from top to bottom and write down your three choices: where it runs, how people reach it, and where photos are stored.

The whole picture

flowchart TD
    A([Start]) --> B{1. Where will it run?}
    B -->|Unraid server| C[Unraid app<br/>icon, menu, variables<br/>Free]
    B -->|Any Docker host| D[Docker Compose or docker run<br/>Free]
    C --> E{2. How will people reach it?}
    D --> E
    E -->|Only on my network| F[LAN only<br/>Free, no domain needed]
    E -->|Anywhere, no router changes| G[Cloudflare Tunnel<br/>Free plan, domain needed]
    E -->|I already run a proxy| H[Reverse proxy<br/>Free, you manage certificates]
    F --> I{3. Where are photos stored?}
    G --> I
    H --> I
    I -->|Server disk| J[Local<br/>No extra cost]
    I -->|Cheap cloud copy| K[Backblaze B2<br/>Pro add-on, pay-as-you-go storage]
    I -->|No download fees| L[Cloudflare R2<br/>Pro add-on, Custom S3-compatible]
    I -->|Already on AWS| M[Amazon S3<br/>Pro add-on, pay-as-you-go storage]
    J --> N([Open the app and finish setup])
    K --> N
    L --> N
    M --> N

Everything above the storage step is free and open source. Cloud storage for originals is the only part that needs the paid Pro add-on, plus whatever your storage provider charges you.

Choice 1: where it runs

Option Best for Pros Cons Cost
Unraid app Anyone with an Unraid server Fill-in form for every setting, app icon, one-click updates Needs an Unraid server Free
Docker Compose Linux, Synology, TrueNAS, Docker Desktop Hardened settings come ready-made, easy to copy and back up You edit a text file Free
docker run Quick tests, custom setups One command You must keep the safety flags yourself Free

Next step: Install with Docker, Compose or Unraid. It takes about ten minutes and ends at the first-run screen.

Choice 2: how people reach it

You and your staff can always use the app on your home network. Clients need a public address for galleries, booking pages and contracts.

Option Pros Cons Cost
LAN only Nothing is exposed to the internet, simplest and most private Clients can't open galleries, book or sign from outside your network Free
Cloudflare Tunnel (built in) No port forwarding, your home IP stays hidden, HTTPS included Needs a domain on Cloudflare, and the studio depends on Cloudflare being up Free plan, no card needed. A domain costs roughly $10 to $15 a year from your registrar
Your own reverse proxy Full control, no third party You handle certificates, port forwarding and security, and must set TRUSTED_PROXIES Free, plus a domain

Next step for most people: Internet access with Cloudflare Tunnel. Camera uploads over SFTP don't travel through the tunnel; see Camera upload.

Choice 3: where photos are stored

Option Pros Cons Cost
Local disk or share (default) Fast, private, no monthly bill, works offline One place to lose them, so back them up Free
Backblaze B2 Low-cost storage, good for originals you rarely open Download fees may apply beyond a free allowance Pro add-on, plus storage billed by Backblaze
Cloudflare R2 No fees for downloading your files, works through the "Custom S3-compatible" choice Storage per GB costs more than B2 Pro add-on, plus storage billed by Cloudflare
Amazon S3 Familiar, many regions Highest download fees of the three, more settings to understand Pro add-on, plus storage billed by AWS

Provider prices change. Check the provider's current price page before you commit. Whatever you choose, keep a second copy of your photos: see Backups.

What you get without paying for anything

  • Studio: clients, households, leads, shoots with a day-of timeline, tasks, and a calendar with Google Calendar sync.
  • Selling: booking pages, quotes, invoices, coupons, client credit, PayPal payments, contracts with e-signatures, questionnaires.
  • Photos: client galleries with favorites, downloads and download limits, camera upload by SFTP or FTP, and tethering.
  • Safety: two-step sign-in, nightly backups, hardened container.
  • Reach: a studio website builder and AI access so an assistant can read your studio data.
  • Yours: AGPL open source, no per-gallery fees, and you can export your data at any time.

Which path should I pick?

  • "I have an Unraid box and want it working today." Unraid app, then Cloudflare Tunnel, local photos.
  • "I just want to try it." Docker Compose on your laptop, LAN only, local photos. Nothing leaves your machine.
  • "My photo share is small and I want an offsite copy." Add cloud storage later; you can start local and move on when you need to.