Guest upload

A guest upload link lets a third party drop files into your ZenTransfer account through a web browser, without a ZenTransfer login. Useful for second shooters, assistants, PR contacts, and clients sending source files in.

How it works¶

You generate a tokenized URL (and optionally a QR code) from your dashboard. The link points to a guest upload page where the visitor can drag-drop files. Files arrive in your account, go through your pipeline, and fan out to your enabled destinations — exactly as if you'd uploaded them yourself.

Setup¶

1. Log in to your Dashboard
2. Under Upload, find Guest upload
3. Click Create guest link
4. Set an expiry if desired
5. Copy the URL or use the QR code for in-person handoff
6. Revoke or rotate links at any time

When to use¶

• Second shooter at a wedding contributing files to the main delivery
• Assistant dropping off cards from a tournament
• PR contact handing over publicity shots
• Wedding guests uploading their phone photos to a shared gallery
• Co-shooter or stringer contributing wire-quality images you'll then file

What the guest sees¶

A simple drag-drop page branded with your account. They drop files; progress indicators show upload status; they close the tab when done.

The guest does not see your dashboard, your destinations, your metadata, or your other files. They only see the upload box.

Files arrive in your pipeline¶

Guest uploads go through the same processing as any other upload:

• Active metadata template applied
• Filename rename (if configured)
• Resize and watermark (if configured)
• Fan-out to every enabled destination

If you don't want guest uploads going to the same destinations as your camera, you can disable specific destinations before generating the link — but more commonly, guest uploads do go to the same places.

Security model¶

Each link contains a unique token. Whoever has the URL can upload until the link expires or you revoke it. Treat the URL like a credential:

• Don't post it publicly unless you intend public uploads
• Rotate after a project if you used it widely
• Set short expiries when possible
• Revoke immediately if the URL leaks

Multiple links¶

You can have multiple active guest links, each with its own token. Use a per-project link to keep audit trails clean — files arriving on the wedding link vs the corporate link can be distinguished in your transfer history.

QR code for in-person handoff¶

The QR code is useful at events: an assistant scans the code from your phone screen, and their browser opens the upload page immediately. No URL typing, no copying credentials.

Revoking¶

From your dashboard:

1. Find the guest link in the Upload section
2. Click Revoke

The URL stops working immediately. Anyone who hits it after revocation gets an error page.

Common mistakes¶

• Sharing a long-expiry link publicly — anyone can upload anything to your account
• Forgetting to revoke after a project ends — old contributors can still upload
• Expecting metadata fields populated by the guest — they upload raw files; your metadata template handles fields, not the guest

Related reading¶

• Dashboard tour
• Solo photographer workflow — multi-shooter section