Creating a Collection is your first step to getting started on CloudSpot. In this first article, we're going to cover how you create a Collection, upload images, and add a Collection cover image.

You can think of a Collection as the main folder for a particular event or photoshoot. A Collection is also your workspace - this is where you upload and organize your images before publishing the client-facing Gallery!

To create a Collection, click the New Collection button in the top left corner. Give your Collection a name and date (optional). You can also add Tags to a Collection. Tags serve as an organizational tool for your Dashboard. For example, if you tag your Collections with the year the event took place, you can filter by all Collections using that tag on your Dashboard!

The first option is the drag-and-drop option in the middle of a Collection. With this option, Cloudspot will upload images into a default folder called "My photos".

The second option is the "Upload Folders" button. To navigate here, click on the "Add Folders" button on the left-hand menu bar. From the drop-down menu select "Upload Folders." From here you can easily select multiple folders from your computer or hard drive and drag them into Cloudspot. With this option, Cloudspot will automatically create image folders within your Collection from the folders you drop in. It's truly a great way to keep your Collection & folders nice and organized!

The third option is CloudSpot's designated Lightroom plugin where you can publish Collections directly from your Lightroom catalog. Here is the link to download CloudSpot's Lightroom plugin!

Once you begin to upload, feel free to minimize this upload window so you can continue working inside CloudSpot! As your images upload you'll see a status icon in the upper right-hand corner of your dashboard. Within CloudSpot you have the option to queue up multiple uploads at once, simply by minimizing your upload window and navigating to the next Collection you would like to create.

Once your images are uploaded you can select your Collection's cover image simply by dragging over an image into the cover image area in the top left. You also have the option to upload your cover photo from your computer by selecting "Change Cover Photo" within your collection's cover image in the top left of your dashboard.

Wow! You just created your first collection within Cloudspot! 🤩

In the next article, we'll discuss publishing and creating client Galleries! Click the button below to continue.

If you have any questions or need additional help, feel free to contact us in the chat bubble in the lower right-hand corner of your dashboard. We're always happy to help!