QRGallery
A QR-based photo upload system for events where guests upload instantly, hosts moderate content, and everyone gets a clean private gallery with controlled sharing.
Role
Full-Stack Developer & Designer
Timeline
3 months
Year
2024
Stack
The Problem
At weddings, parties, and corporate events, photos scatter across Instagram, iMessage, WhatsApp, and personal camera rolls. Hosts can’t collect everything, and privacy and moderation are nearly impossible.
The Solution
Guests scan a QR code, upload photos and videos to a dedicated event portal, hosts moderate submissions, and approved media appears in a private gallery with share controls. No app download required — entirely browser-based.
Key Features
The capabilities that make it work.
Event creation with unique print-ready QR codes
Mobile-first upload portal — no app required
Guest identity options: nickname, phone, or anonymous mode
Upload queue with spam protection and file validation
Moderation panel with approve/reject, batch actions, and reporting
Private gallery with share-link controls and expiration dates
Download options for single files, bulk exports, and curated albums
Live slideshow mode for venue screens and projectors
Architecture
Object storage on S3 with CloudFront CDN delivery for fast media access globally. Background processing handles thumbnail generation, compression, and deduplication hashing. Database models span events, uploads, moderation states, and guest sessions. QR generation paired with short URLs for seamless scanning.
Challenges Solved
The hard problems behind the polished surface.
Building a zero-friction upload experience that works across every mobile browser without an app install
Designing a media pipeline that handles hundreds of concurrent uploads during peak event moments
Balancing privacy controls with shareability — making galleries private by default but easy to share intentionally
The Outcome
Processed over 10,000 uploads across events with zero downtime during peak moments. Average guest upload time under 8 seconds. Hosts reported collecting 3x more photos compared to traditional sharing methods.
What's Next
Where this product goes from here.
AI-powered photo deduplication and quality scoring
Face recognition for automatic guest-specific albums
Integration with professional photography delivery workflows