What is SpotMe?
SpotMe is SpotMyPhotos' face recognition feature. When a guest registers at your event, SpotMe uses their face to automatically find every photo they appear in and delivers those photos directly to them. No manual searching, no staff sorting.
The process follows three steps: Shoot, Spot, Share.
Step 1: Shoot
Your photographer captures photos during the event as usual. Photos upload to SpotMyPhotos through your connected camera (tethered USB, Canon CCAPI, or WiFi SD card) or through the Desktop Uploader.
Step 2: Spot
SpotMe scans each uploaded photo and compares faces to registered guests. When a match is found, the photo is associated with that guest's profile automatically.
Important: Face recognition only activates after a guest has registered and given consent. Photos uploaded before registration will still be matched retroactively once the guest registers.
Step 3: Share
Once photos are matched, the guest receives a notification (via SMS or email, depending on how they registered) with a link to their personal gallery. If your event uses Approved mode, you review photos before the guest is notified.
How Guests Register
There are three ways guests can register for SpotMe:
1. QR Code (Self-Registration)
Display a QR code at your event (on signage, a tablet, or printed materials). Guests scan the code, enter their contact information, take a selfie, and consent to face recognition. This is the fastest method for high-volume events.
2. Staff-Facilitated Registration
A staff member uses the SpotMyPhotos app to register a guest directly. The staff member captures the guest's face and enters their contact info. Useful when guests are unlikely to self-register or for VIP handling.
3. Sharing Stations (Gallery Kiosk or Simple Kiosk)
Set up a tablet or screen at your event running the Gallery Kiosk or Simple Kiosk. Guests approach the station, take a selfie, and receive their photos on the spot. The kiosk can also send photos via SMS or email.
Consent and Privacy
Guests must consent to face recognition before SpotMe activates for their profile. The registration flow includes a consent step that guests must complete before their face is enrolled. SpotMe does not process faces without explicit opt-in.
When Do Guests Receive Their Photos?
Delivery timing depends on your gallery settings:
Standard mode: Guests are notified as soon as matching photos are found.
Approved mode: Guests are notified after you review and approve their matched photos.
Guests receive a link to their personal gallery, not individual files. They can view, download, or share from that link.
What If a Guest Was Not Spotted?
If a guest registered but did not receive their photos, the most common causes are:
The guest was wearing a mask, hat, or sunglasses that obscured their face in the photos
The selfie taken during registration was low quality or poorly lit
The photographer's shots of that guest were at an angle or distance that made matching difficult
Photos were uploaded before the guest registered and the retroactive match did not process correctly
The guest registered with a different contact method than expected (SMS vs. email)
SMS delivery failed for international numbers (see our article on international SMS)
In these cases, staff can manually share photos with the guest using the Manual Sharing option in the app, or look up the guest's gallery and resend the notification.
Can I Spot Guests Without Face Recognition?
Yes. Staff-facilitated registration and manual sharing both work without relying on automated face matching. If face recognition is not suitable for your event (for example, a masked audience or a privacy-sensitive setting), staff can manually associate photos with guests through the app.
Does SpotMe Work With Masks or Hats?
No. Face recognition requires a clear view of the guest's face. Masks, hats pulled low, heavy sunglasses, or significant face paint will prevent accurate matching. For events where guests may be obscured, plan to use manual sharing as a fallback.