What would be the best way to set it up?? I would be using paypal for the payment...but how would you do it so that they can only have access to the download page upon purchasing the photos? Also, how do you protect other images on the directory so that someone cant just chane the IMG01 to IMG02 and see more photos than you want them to? Also, what would be the best configuration?? let them see a watermarked sample shot, and then send them a non-watermarked version apon purchase?? thanks for the advice!
Hi IanT Ooo so much here. With PayPal you can pass a session variable to the payment processing page, this could relate to the basket session (prior to payment) so you can script to only display items purchased. Changing - IMG01 to IMG02 you should not even think in terms of naming pages & product variables like this for the reasons you say. Too easy. - Why not easy to do with most systems. Without being unkind sounds like you have the idea but have not yet looked at how to implement it. My best advice would be trawl the net for similar sites and see how they do it, then work out how you want to do it i.e. what works for you. There are plenty of off the shelf packages for this, one may fit, if not a custom made system should not be too diffucult. But first I would suggest you tell people what you want in specifics as everything is possible just the cost may make it not - if you follow that one. A good developer will guide you through your ideas and offer real advice. But (sorry "but" again) as I said create a wish list - what you want it to do. Yes you will get some good answers here, but you may miss something. Draw out what you want then you can tick off the answers. Good luck
How about an iStock clone script? a quick google search found this one for free: http://clonescript.siteniz.org/2009/09/triarctic-photo-gallery-istock-clone.html
You could also use a site like Shutterstock if you wanted to get started right away, but you have to share your earnings with them.