Gallery Types

Every gallery in Sunshine Photo Cart has a type that controls who can see it and how visitors gain access. You choose the type when creating or editing a gallery. There are three options: Default, Password Protected, and Private.

How to Set It Up

1. Go to Sunshine > Galleries and create or edit a gallery
2. In the General Options tab, find the Gallery Type setting
3. Choose one of the three types described below
4. Save the gallery

Default

A default gallery is publicly visible to anyone who visits your site. It appears in your gallery listings and anyone can view the images without entering a password or logging in.

Use this for galleries that don't need any access restrictions, such as portfolio galleries or sample work.

Password Protected

A password-protected gallery requires visitors to enter an access code before they can see the images. The gallery still appears in your gallery listings, but its images are hidden until the correct password is entered.

When you select Password Protected, two additional fields appear:

• Password/Access Code — The password visitors must enter. If you leave this blank, Sunshine will automatically generate a random 10-character password for you. You can also click Generate password to create one.
• Password Hint — An optional hint displayed on the password form to help visitors remember the code.

After a visitor enters the correct password, it's stored in their browser session so they won't need to re-enter it during that visit. Sessions last up to 7 days by default.

You can also set a custom featured image for password-protected galleries under Sunshine > Settings > Galleries > Password Featured Image, so visitors see a placeholder thumbnail instead of a blank or generic image in gallery listings.

Use this when you want to share a gallery with a specific client. Give them the password via email or text, and only people with the code can view the images.

Private

A private gallery is completely hidden from anyone who isn't on the allowed list. It does not appear in gallery listings for unauthorized visitors, and navigating directly to its URL redirects them to a login page.

When you select Private, an additional field appears:

• Allowed Customers — A searchable list of registered WordPress users. Only the users you select here (and site administrators) can view the gallery.

Visitors must be logged in with an authorized account. If they aren't logged in, they see a login or registration form. If they are logged in but aren't on the allowed list, they're told they don't have permission.

Use this when you need strict access control — for example, galleries for individual clients where you want to ensure only that specific person can view their images.

How Gallery Types Affect Visibility

Combining with Access Types

Gallery Type controls the primary access method, but you can layer additional restrictions using the Access Type setting on the same gallery. For example, a Default gallery can also require visitors to provide their email address or be logged in before viewing images.

Notes

• Administrators always bypass all access restrictions and can view any gallery while logged in.
• Password-protected galleries show a lock icon or custom featured image in listings. You can configure the placeholder image under Sunshine > Settings > Galleries.
• If you change a gallery from Password Protected to Default, the password is retained in case you switch back later.
• Private galleries that have no allowed users selected are effectively hidden from everyone except administrators.
• For additional layers of protection, consider combining gallery types with watermarks and image protection settings.