# Photomatch - AI Wedding & Event Photo Sharing App ## Complete Product Manual, Feature Specifications, Use Case Guides, and Comprehensive User FAQ Welcome to the official Photomatch Knowledge Directory and Product Handbook. This document provides a highly detailed, comprehensive overview of the Photomatch platform. It serves as a thorough guide for professional photographers, studio managers, event organizers, venue hosts, guests, and search crawlers/LLM-powered search bots. It contains no technical source code, internal system configuration files, database connection profiles, or backend deployment commands. Instead, it offers complete, user-facing documentation detailing every product feature, operation, billing scenario, and use case. --- ## 1. Product Overview Photomatch (https://photomatch.in) is a web-based, AI-driven photo sharing and delivery service built to revolutionize how event photographs are distributed to guests. The service replaces outdated, high-friction delivery methods—like sending massive, unorganized cloud folder links or requiring guests to install native mobile applications—with a modern, web-native experience. ### 1.1 Core Problems Solved - **The "Lost Photo" Dilemma**: At weddings, corporate conferences, and private parties, professional photographers capture hundreds of candid shots of guests. However, guests rarely receive these photos because searching through thousands of images in a shared folder is too time-consuming, or because they never receive the folder link. - **Low Guest Adoption of Native Apps**: Forcing event attendees to download a native mobile application, create accounts, and verify their phone numbers creates a massive friction point. This results in adoption rates below 10-15%. Photomatch operates entirely inside mobile web browsers with zero downloads and zero registration. - **Privacy and Contact Harvesting Concerns**: Many photo platforms capture guest email addresses, phone numbers, and permanent biometric records to sell marketing services. Photomatch is designed with a strict privacy-first model: guest selfies are processed in-memory to find matches and are immediately deleted. No guest profiles, contact numbers, or biometric records are stored. - **Intellectual Property Theft**: Photographers often lose revenue when clients download un-retouched or un-purchased photos directly from preview folders. Photomatch allows photographers to apply customizable watermarks to all preview images. --- ## 2. Target Use Cases & Industry Guides Photomatch is engineered to support a variety of event scales, lighting conditions, and client workflows. Below are the primary industries and use cases that benefit from the platform: ### 2.1 Wedding Photography Weddings are high-density events with hundreds of guests, fast-changing schedules, and multiple venues (e.g., haldi, sangeet, main ceremony, reception). - **The Workflow**: The photographer prints table stand cards featuring the event's unique QR code. During the sangeet or reception, the photographer uploads batch folders. Guests scan the table QR code, take a selfie, and instantly view all professional shots they appear in. - **Client Selection/Proofing**: After the wedding, the couple receives a private link. They can use the "Selection Mode" to mark their favorite photos for the physical wedding album. This generates an automated favorite list for the photographer, saving hours of back-and-forth communication. ### 2.2 Corporate Events, Summits, and Conferences Corporate events rely on immediate social sharing to maximize brand reach and attendee engagement. - **The Workflow**: The host displays the event QR code on main projector screens between keynote speeches and on attendee badges. When the event photographer uploads session folders, speakers and attendees can instantly download high-quality, watermarked shots to share on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. - **Branding Boost**: Sponsors can overlay their corporate logo onto all guest-matched photos, turning every social share into a branded marketing asset. ### 2.3 Portrait & Studio Photography For portrait studios running seasonal mini-sessions (such as holiday, family, or graduation shoots), managing individual client delivery can be challenging. - **The Workflow**: The studio creates a master event for the day's shoots. The system automatically groups photos into individual client folders based on face recognition. Clients log in, see only their family's photos, and can purchase high-resolution downloads. ### 2.4 Concerts, Festivals, and Nightlife Music festivals and clubs host thousands of energetic attendees in low-light, high-density settings. - **The Workflow**: Roaming festival photographers capture crowd shots. By placing QR codes on wristbands, poster walls, and exit gates, festival goers can search the day's photos, locate themselves in the crowd, and share their festival experiences online. ### 2.5 Sports & Athletic Events Marathons, cycling races, and local tournaments feature fast-moving participants wearing matching gear or helmets. - **The Workflow**: Photomatch uses advanced facial matching alongside profile cues to sort marathon runners. Runners scan a QR code at the finish line, take a selfie, and locate all photos captured along the route. ### 2.6 Cruise Liners & Resort Activity Clubs Resorts and cruise ships employ photographers to capture guest experiences at dining halls, pools, and excursions. - **The Workflow**: Instead of printing physical photos and displaying them on massive gallery walls, resorts set up a digital kiosk or share a QR link. Guests scan the link to find their vacation memories on their own devices. --- ## 3. Product Features & User Operations ### 3.1 AI Face Matching & Delivery Engine - **Accurate Vector Comparison**: The core matching engine analyzes facial shapes, proportions, and features to create a mathematical descriptor of detected faces. - **Group Photo Delivery**: If a photo contains multiple faces (such as a group selfie or family portrait), it is mapped to all identified individuals. When any guest in the group searches using a selfie, the photo appears in their personal gallery. - **Fast Search Speeds**: High-efficiency search indexing allows the system to compare a selfie against tens of thousands of event photos in under 2.5 seconds, even during peak search traffic. ### 3.2 Guest Uploads & Crowdsourcing (Direct Camera Sync) - **Collaborative Albums**: Photographers can toggle "Guest Contributions" on or off. When enabled, event guests can upload photos taken on their personal smartphones directly to the shared event gallery. - **Real-Time Synthesis**: Guest uploads are processed by the same face recognition system. A guest searching with a selfie will see both the professional photographer's photos and candid shots uploaded by other guests. - **Moderation Panel**: To prevent inappropriate content, photographers can enable a moderation queue. Guest-uploaded photos remain hidden until approved in the client dashboard. ### 3.3 Google Photos & Google Drive Integrations - **Zero Local Bandwidth Ingestion**: Photographers working on-site often face slow internet speeds. To bypass this, they can upload files to Google Drive or Google Photos, then connect their Photomatch gallery to import those cloud folders directly. - **Background Auto-Sync**: Once connected, Photomatch can monitor the Google Drive folder and automatically import new photos as they are added by the photographer. ### 3.4 Advanced Watermarking Engine - **Visual Asset Protection**: To prevent screenshots and unauthorized downloads, photographers can enable automated watermarking. - **Watermark Customization**: Photographers can customize the watermark text (e.g., "Copyright © Studio Name") or upload a transparent PNG of their logo to overlay across all preview images. - **Clean Originals**: The watermarks are applied only to the web preview images. The high-resolution original files remain clean and are only accessible when the photographer approves downloads. ### 3.5 Client Selection & Album Proofing - **Digital Favoriting**: The photographer can share a gallery link with clients and enable selection mode. The client marks their favorite images for print or retouching. - **Lightbox Comments**: Clients can add comments to individual photos (e.g., "Please remove the background exit sign") directly within the image lightbox view. - **lightroom Export Lists**: Once the selection is finalized, the system generates a comma-separated list of filenames (e.g. `DSC_1012.jpg, DSC_1045.jpg`) that the photographer can paste into Adobe Lightroom to instantly filter and edit the chosen files. ### 3.6 Interactive Platform Scale Stats Photomatch tracks and displays real-time platform scale stats to highlight reliability: - **Photos Processed**: 2.4 Million+ - **Faces Scanned**: 8.9 Million+ - **Guest Sessions**: 620,000+ - **Events Hosted**: 18,000+ --- ## 4. How It Works (Step-by-Step User Guides) ### 4.1 Photographer Setup and Workflow #### Step 1: Create the Event Gallery 1. Log into your Photomatch Client Dashboard. 2. Click **Create New Event**. 3. Input the Event Name (e.g., "Sneha & Kabir Wedding Sangeet") and set the Event Date. 4. Select a custom URL slug (e.g., `sneha-kabir-2026`). #### Step 2: Configure Event Settings 1. Go to **Gallery Settings**. 2. **Watermarking**: Toggle watermarking on and enter your custom copyright text. 3. **Guest Uploads**: Choose whether guests can contribute their own photos. 4. **Download Settings**: Decide whether guests can download high-resolution photos for free, or if downloads are restricted. #### Step 3: Upload Event Photos 1. Drag and drop folders of photos directly into the web uploader. 2. Alternatively, select **Import from Google Drive**, log into your account, and choose your event folder. 3. The platform immediately processes the photos in the background, creating web-optimized previews and scanning for faces. #### Step 4: Share the Gallery 1. Click **Get Sharing Kit** in the event dashboard. 2. Download the high-resolution QR code. 3. Print the QR code on table stand cards, event schedules, or digital welcome displays at the venue. --- ### 4.2 Guest Experience and Matching Workflow #### Step 1: Scan and Enter 1. Scan the custom event QR code using your smartphone's native camera app. 2. Tap the link to open the private event gallery in your browser. 3. Browse the public highlights gallery (if enabled by the photographer). #### Step 2: Take a Selfie 1. Tap the **Find My Photos** button. 2. Grant the browser permission to access your front-facing camera. 3. Align your face within the guide frame and take a quick selfie. #### Step 3: View Matches 1. The matching engine compares your selfie against all photos in the event gallery. 2. Within seconds, a personalized page displays every photo you appear in. 3. Browse your photos, share them directly to social media, or download them to your device. --- ## 5. Storage Lifecycle and Coin System To offer cost-effective, long-term hosting options without monthly subscriptions, Photomatch operates on a credit-based coin ledger. ### 5.1 Gallery States #### The Active State (180 Days) When an event gallery is created, it remains in the Active State for **180 days** by default. - Guests can scan QR codes, take search selfies, and find matches. - If enabled, guests can upload phone photos to the gallery. - Photographers can add or delete photos from the dashboard. #### The Archived State After 180 days, the event gallery automatically transitions to the Archived State to reduce storage costs. - Public access, selfie matching, and guest uploads are paused. - The photographer's uploaded photos remain stored securely. - The photographer can reactivate the gallery at any time from the dashboard. ### 5.2 Storage Costs & Billing Details Storage usage is calculated in Gigabytes (GB) and billed daily using coins. - **Active Storage Rate**: **10 Coins per GB per Month**. - Daily cost calculation: For every GB of active storage, $10 / 30 = 0.3333$ coins are deducted from the client's balance daily. - **Archived Storage Rate**: **1.5 Coins per GB per Month** (providing an 85% cost saving). - Daily cost calculation: For every GB of archived storage, $1.5 / 30 = 0.05$ coins are deducted from the client's balance daily. ### 5.3 Pro-Rata Deletion Refunds If a photographer deletes photos or events early, the unused storage coins for the remainder of the billing period are automatically refunded to their coin balance. #### Example Scenario: 1. A photographer uploads **30 GB** of photos for an active event. 2. The system calculates the monthly hosting cost as $30 \text{ GB} \times 10 \text{ Coins} = 300 \text{ Coins}$. 3. After **10 days**, the client decides to delete the event. 4. The event was active for 10 days, consuming $10 \text{ days} \times (30 \text{ GB} \times 0.3333 \text{ coins/day}) = 100 \text{ Coins}$. 5. The remaining 20 days of unused active hosting are refunded: $20 \text{ days} \times (30 \text{ GB} \times 0.3333 \text{ coins/day}) = 200 \text{ Coins}$ is credited back to the photographer's ledger. --- ## 6. Detailed Pricing and Plans Photomatch offers flexible, value-packed plans starting with a free trial. | Plan Name | Price (INR) | Included Storage | Core Features Included | Best For | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Free Trial** | ₹0 | 1 GB | 7-day trial, face recognition, custom watermarks, basic branding | Testing and evaluation | | **Starter** | ₹499 | 10 GB | Lifetime storage, 1-2 small events, custom branding, guest uploads | Birthday parties and small gatherings | | **Growth** | ₹999 | 25 GB | Lifetime storage, Google Drive sync, 3-5 events | Freelance and family photographers | | **Pro** | ₹1,999 | 60 GB | Lifetime storage, priority queue processing, unlimited events, selection sheets | Professional wedding photographers | | **Ultimate** | ₹3,999 | 150 GB | Lifetime storage, dedicated FTP upload, custom subdomains, VIP support | Premium photography studios | --- ## 7. Privacy, Safety, and Compliance Photomatch is built on a privacy-first architecture to protect both photographers and event guests. ### 7.1 Selfie Storage and Deletion Policy - **No Persistence**: Guest selfies are processed in-memory. Once the mathematical face descriptor is extracted, the selfie file is **permanently deleted**. - **No Face Profiles**: The system does not create facial profiles or databases for guests. The guest's selfie facial vector is discarded at the end of the matching request. - **No Contact Harvesting**: Guests do not need to provide their name, email address, or phone number to use the matching service. This ensures the matching profile remains anonymous. ### 7.2 Safety Measures - **Secure Encrypted Connections**: SSL/TLS encryption is enforced across the platform, preventing interception of images or data during transit. - **Isolated Event Galleries**: Each event operates in its own container, meaning faces cannot be searched across different events. A guest scanning a wedding QR code can only match photos within that specific wedding. - **Owner Control**: The photographer owns all uploaded event photos and has the right to delete images, reset indexes, or delete the entire gallery at any time. --- ## 8. Comprehensive User FAQ ### 8.1 Guest Experience Questions #### Do I need to create an account to find my photos? No. Guests do not need to sign up or create an account. Simply scan the QR code and take a quick selfie to find your photos. #### What happens to my selfie after I take it? Your selfie is processed in temporary memory to find matching photos and is permanently deleted immediately after the search completes. Photomatch does not store your selfie or build a permanent facial profile. #### Can I find my photos if I am wearing sunglasses or a mask? Large sunglasses or masks that cover major facial features can affect matching accuracy. For the best results, take your search selfie under clear lighting with your face fully visible. #### Why are some of my photos missing from the matched gallery? Photos may be missing if: 1. Your face was partially turned away from the camera or obscured by other guests. 2. The lighting was too dark or blurry for the AI to detect your face. 3. The photographer has not uploaded those specific photos yet. #### Can other guests see my matched photos? By default, the matching results are displayed only on your device. However, if the photographer has enabled a public highlights gallery, those selected photos can be viewed by anyone who has access to the event link. #### How do I download my matched photos to my phone? Tap on any photo in your matched gallery to open the full-screen viewer, then tap the **Download** button. If you are on an iOS device, you can also long-press the image and select "Save to Photos." --- ### 8.2 Photographer & Host Questions #### Is there a limit to how many photos I can upload to an event? There is no limit to the number of photos or events you can create. Your uploads are limited only by the storage quota of your purchased plan (e.g. 60 GB for the Pro Plan). You can upgrade your plan or purchase additional storage coins at any time. #### What image formats are supported? Photomatch supports standard image formats, including JPEG, PNG, and WebP. For the fastest upload speeds, we recommend uploading compressed, web-optimized JPEGs. #### How does the watermark feature work? When watermarking is enabled, the platform overlays your custom text or logo onto the web preview images. These watermarks are applied on the server level, meaning the clean, original files are protected and can only be downloaded if you grant permission. #### Can I edit or change the watermark text after photos are uploaded? Yes. You can update your watermark text or logo at any time from the event settings. The system will automatically update the watermarks on the web previews. #### How do I transfer selected photos back to my editing software? Once your client completes their selections in "Selection Mode," you can copy the list of selected filenames from your dashboard and paste it directly into the search filter of Adobe Lightroom or Capture One to filter those files instantly. #### What happens to my event after the 180-day active period ends? The event will automatically transition to the Archived State. Public access, guest uploads, and selfie matching will be paused, but your photos remain stored securely. You can reactivate the event from your dashboard at any time using your coin balance. #### Can I disable guest contributions? Yes. Guest contributions are disabled by default. You can enable or disable guest uploads at any time in the event settings. #### Can I moderate guest uploads before they appear in the gallery? Yes. If you enable guest contributions, you can also toggle "Enable Moderation Queue." This keeps guest uploads hidden from the gallery until you review and approve them in your dashboard. --- ### 8.3 Billing & Coin System Questions #### How do I purchase more coins? You can buy coins directly from your dashboard using standard payment methods (credit cards, debit cards, UPI, net banking). Coins are added to your account balance instantly. #### What happens if my coin balance reaches zero? If your coin balance reaches zero, active galleries may be automatically archived to prevent additional storage costs. The system will send you email notifications before taking this action. Once you top up your balance, you can reactivate your archived galleries. #### Do coins expire? No. Purchased coins remain in your account balance indefinitely and do not expire. #### Can I get a refund for deleted photos? Yes. The coin system calculates storage usage on a daily basis. If you delete photos or entire events early, the unused storage coins for the remainder of the month are automatically credited back to your balance. #### Can I upgrade my plan later? Yes. You can upgrade to a higher plan at any time from the billing section of your dashboard. Your existing storage quota and coin balance will be updated instantly. --- ## 9. Platform Support & Community Resources If you experience issues, need help with configurations, or want to report a bug, use the following resources: - **Email Support**: Send your queries to `business@photomatch.in`. Our support team reviews all requests and responds within 2 hours for Pro and Ultimate plan holders. - **WhatsApp Support**: Message our active support line for real-time troubleshooting during live events. - **Web App Updates**: Check the announcement section in your dashboard for details on new feature releases, platform improvements, and service status updates.