What is a Guest-Submitted Photo Album?
A guest-submitted photo album is a shared collection where every attendee at an event uploads their own photos into one central gallery, rather than the host capturing everything alone. Poolr by MRVL makes this frictionless: guests scan a QR code, upload from their phone's browser, and all full-resolution images land in one searchable album instantly.
How it works in practice
The host generates a unique QR code in Poolr and displays it at the venue, or shares it via text or email. Guests open the code on their phone, which takes them to a simple upload page. No app download needed, no account sign-up, no login. They select photos from their camera roll and upload. Every photo arrives in full resolution. The host can moderate the queue before photos go live, and can download everything as a ZIP file or order a printed photobook automatically generated from the gallery. As of June 2026, Poolr has processed over 10,000 events this way.
Why it matters more than traditional photo collection
In the past, getting photos from guests meant asking them to email files, drop them into Google Drive, or hope they'd remember to do it later. A guest-submitted album removes the friction entirely. Guests see a QR code, scan once, upload in seconds. The host doesn't have to chase anyone down or manage a hundred email attachments. Every image is stored together at full quality, tagged with the event, and available instantly. For weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, and school gatherings, this means you capture moments from angles and perspectives the main photographer or videographer might miss.
Poolr's take on guest photo albums
Poolr is a guest photo collection app that lets event hosts gather every guest's photos in one shared pool via a QR code. The Free tier lets you collect up to 30 photos for seven days. The Moment tier (£8.99 per event) holds 200 photos. Occasion (£19.99) is unlimited photos with no expiry. Higher tiers add features like a live photo wall that displays new uploads on a venue screen in real-time, an audio guestbook for guest messages, custom event frame overlays, and automated photobook generation. For repeat hosts, the Host+ subscription (£49.99/year) discounts every event you run.
Features that set guest albums apart
Beyond basic photo collection, Poolr includes live moderation, so the host can approve uploads before they appear to other guests. Reveal mode works like a disposable camera: photos stay hidden until the host chooses to show them all at once. Face recognition on the Forever tier (£34.99) automatically tags people in photos and creates a highlight reel. Guests can also upload video clips on Occasion+ and higher tiers. For event professionals, Poolr offers Pro Organiser and Teams accounts that let wedding planners and venue managers run events for clients at scale.
When a guest album is the right choice
A guest-submitted photo album works best when you expect guests to have their phones out and want to capture candid moments. It's popular for weddings where the couple wants candid shots alongside professional photos; corporate events where employees capture team moments; birthday parties and anniversaries; school events like proms and sports days; and church gatherings or community celebrations. It's not designed as long-term phone storage or as a replacement for the main photographer. It's a complement that fills in what the camera crew can't capture.
Start collecting guest photos in seconds. Download Poolr and create your first event now.
Frequently asked questions
Do guests need to download an app to submit photos?
No. Guests scan the QR code, which opens a web page in their phone's browser. They select photos and upload. No app installation, no account, no login required.
What happens to the photos after the event?
Poolr tiers vary. The Free tier keeps photos for 7 days. Moment and Occasion tiers keep photos permanently. The host can download everything as a ZIP file or order a printed photobook at any time.
Can I use a guest photo album for non-event gatherings?
Yes. Any gathering where you want guests to upload photos works: family reunions, holidays, trips, milestone anniversaries, or casual group hangouts.
What's the difference between a guest album and a shared cloud folder?
A shared cloud folder requires guests to download an app, set up an account, or find and open a link. A guest album is a single QR code scan and instant upload, with no setup friction for attendees.
Can the host see who uploaded which photos?
Poolr shows uploads in the moderation queue before they go live, but guest names aren't automatically tied to photos unless you ask guests to tag themselves in captions.
Is there a limit to how many guests can upload?
No limit on guest count. Your tier limits the total number of photos; Occasion+ and Forever tiers have no photo limit.