What Is Photo Reveal Mode in Poolr?
Photo reveal mode in Poolr is a disposable-camera style feature that lets hosts collect photos from guests, then reveal them all at once or in batches rather than showing them live as they arrive.
How Photo Reveal Mode Works
Photo reveal mode turns your event into a surprise. Guests scan the Poolr QR code and upload their photos as normal, but instead of photos appearing immediately in the shared gallery, the host controls when they become visible. This creates a moment of reveal, similar to how a disposable camera worked before digital photography. All guest uploads happen in real-time on their phone; the delay is purely on visibility. As of June 2026, this feature is available across all paid Poolr tiers and gives hosts full control over the guest photo experience.
Why Use Reveal Mode at Your Event
Reveal mode works well for events where the photo moment itself is part of the experience. Think of a wedding reception where photos stay hidden until the first dance, or a birthday party where the big reveal happens during cake time. It removes the distraction of a live photo wall updating constantly and instead creates a deliberate, shared moment when everyone sees the photos together. Some hosts use it simply to review and moderate photos before they appear in the shared gallery.
Reveal Mode vs Live Photo Wall
Poolr offers two display modes. Live photo wall (available on Occasion+ tier and above) shows photos on an event display screen as guests upload them, creating real-time visual energy. Photo reveal mode, by contrast, keeps photos hidden until you decide to unveil them. You can also choose a standard gallery view with no display screen at all. The choice depends on your event vibe: live energy, surprise reveal, or simple shared album.
Combining Reveal Mode with Other Features
Photo reveal mode works alongside other Poolr features. You can collect full-resolution photos with no app download or account required, then pair reveal mode with custom event frames so photos appear with your chosen overlay when they're unveiled. Guests can also upload video clips if you enable that option. Higher tiers like Forever unlock face recognition, so you can create highlight reels of key moments once photos are revealed.
Setting Up Reveal Mode
When you create a Poolr event, you choose your display settings during setup. Reveal mode is available on paid tiers (Moment, Occasion, Forever, or with Host+ annual membership). Generate your QR code, share it with guests, and they upload photos as usual. You control the moment they become visible in the shared gallery. The moderation queue lets you review uploads before revealing if you prefer to vet content first.
Ready to collect guest photos with reveal mode control.
Frequently asked questions
Is photo reveal mode free in Poolr?
No. Reveal mode is available on the Moment (£8.99), Occasion (£19.99), or Forever (£34.99) per-event plans, or with Host+ annual subscription (£49.99/year). The free tier does not include this feature.
Can guests see their photos before they are revealed?
No. In reveal mode, guests see the upload confirmation but photos remain hidden in the shared gallery until the host chooses to unveil them. Only the host can see all uploads in the moderation queue beforehand.
Can I reveal photos gradually or all at once?
The reveal happens when you activate it in the Poolr app. You control the timing entirely; exact granularity (batch reveal vs single reveal) depends on the current app interface, but the core function is host-controlled timing.
Does reveal mode work with the live photo wall feature?
No. Reveal mode and live photo wall are separate display options. You choose one or the other, or neither. Live wall shows photos in real-time on a display screen; reveal mode hides them until you activate visibility.
Can I use reveal mode if guests upload video as well as photos?
Yes. Video uploads work on Occasion+ and Adventure Creator tiers. Reveal mode applies to all media in the gallery, so videos are also hidden until you reveal them.
What happens to photos after I reveal them?
Once revealed, photos remain visible in the shared gallery for the duration of your event plan. Occasion tier events never expire; Moment events last 7 days; Forever tier includes 2 years of storage.