Answer: deliver photos as JPEG
JPEG vs PNG for photo delivery
Send JPEG: PNG is lossless but typically several times larger on a photograph, with no visible gain. shoots.page accepts JPEG, PNG, HEIC, TIFF, WebP and RAW and serves JPEG and PNG originals byte for byte, so the format you export is the file your client gets.
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JPEG vs PNG at a glance
| JPEG | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy, built for photos | Lossless, built for graphics |
| Photo file size | Compact at high quality | Typically several times larger |
| Transparency | No | Yes |
| Re-saving | Loses a little data each save | No further loss on re-save |
| Best for | Delivered photo sets | Screenshots, logos, graphics |
How each format compresses
JPEG uses lossy compression designed for continuous-tone photographs. It drops image data the eye cannot easily detect, and at high quality settings the loss is invisible while the files stay compact.
PNG uses lossless compression built for graphics with flat color, sharp edges and text. On real photographs with fine texture and noise, lossless compression cannot shrink the data much, so the files come out heavy.
When PNG is the right call
PNG is the right format for screenshots, digital illustrations, brand logos, and graphics that require transparency. A standard photo delivery almost never requires any of those traits. Unless a client specifically needs a graphic asset or a cut-out subject with a transparent background, delivering a photo set as PNG only slows down their download.
What your client actually receives
Whatever you upload (JPEG, PNG, HEIC, TIFF, WebP or RAW), shoots.page makes 480 px thumbnails and 2000 px JPEG previews for fast gallery browsing. Original downloads are byte-for-byte copies of the files you uploaded, except RAW files, which come as full-size JPEGs (the RAW files themselves only if you turn on RAW downloads); JPEG downloads are the 2000 px previews. The ZIP follows the same choices: original files, JPEG previews or RAW files.
Curious what the difference is between what they see and what they download? Read preview vs original downloads.
Common questions
Should I deliver my photos as JPEG or PNG?
You should deliver your photos as JPEG. JPEG is designed for photos, whereas a photo saved as a PNG is typically several times larger with no visible gain in quality.
Is a PNG of a photo higher quality than a JPEG?
Not in any visible way. PNG is lossless and designed for graphics, but saving a photo as PNG offers no visible benefit, and converting a JPEG to PNG cannot restore lost detail.
What does my client download if I upload PNG files?
With original downloads on, your client receives the exact PNG file you uploaded, byte for byte. If you also allow JPEG downloads, those are 2000 px JPEG previews made from it.
Can I upload HEIC photos from an iPhone?
Yes. shoots.page accepts HEIC and HEIF uploads as they are, so iPhone photos need no conversion. If another destination needs JPEGs, our guide to preparing HEIC photos covers the steps.
Deliver your JPEGs with one link
Select your exports on the homepage and build the gallery draft before you even sign in. Free up to 2 GB.