SmugMug is a platform built for photographers. We support a wide range of photographic genres, including work that may contain nudity. This policy explains what types of content is permitted, what is prohibited, and what steps you need to take to keep your account in compliance.
What is permitted
Non-explicit nudity is permitted on SmugMug when it exists in a photographic context and is not visible to the general public. This includes genres such as:
- Fine art photography (e.g., figure studies, artistic nude portraiture)
- Boudoir photography (e.g., intimate, tasteful photography typically created for personal gifting or portraiture)
- Documentary photography (e.g., photojournalism, cultural documentation)
- Portrait and fashion photography that incidentally includes nudity
This list is not exhaustive. If your work involves nudity and falls within the spirit of photographic, non-pornographic practice, it is likely permitted, provided it meets the requirements below.
Visibility requirements - this step is required
- If your content contains non-explicit nudity, it must not be visible to the general public. You are required to restrict access by setting your gallery or content to one of the following:
- Private - visible only to you
- Unlisted - accessible only to people you share the direct link with
- Password-protected - accessible only to people who have the password
Nudity is not permitted in any publicly visible location, including but not limited to:
- Profile photos
- Gallery and folder icon images
- Homepage or portfolio sample galleries
- Any gallery or page accessible without a direct link or password
If you are unsure how to change your visibility settings, please refer to [SmugMug's help documentation on gallery privacy].
Content that is prohibited
The following content is prohibited on SmugMug regardless of visibility settings. This means it cannot appear anywhere on the platform - not in private galleries, not in password-protected folders, not anywhere.
Explicit or pornographic content, including:
- Visible genitalia in a sexual context
- Sex acts or simulated sex acts
If you are unsure whether your content is explicit, consider whether it depicts a sex act or shows genitalia in a sexual context. If so, it must be deleted regardless of where it is stored on your account.
Content that uses nudity to advertise or solicit, including:
- Images or videos that include contact information, pricing, or service offerings alongside nudity
- Content that directs users off-platform to adult subscription services, escort services, or similar
If you are unsure whether your content crosses this line, ask yourself: Is this a photograph, or is this an advertisement? Photographic work, even intimate or provocative work, is permitted when kept private. Content that is primarily functioning as a solicitation or commercial promotion is not.
What happens if your content is in violation
If your account is found to be in violation of this policy:
- You will receive a notification via email.
- You must review the content in question. Determine whether it falls into the prohibited category (must be deleted) or whether it is permitted content that simply needs to be set to the correct visibility setting.
- You must take action immediately. Either delete the content or update the visibility settings so it is no longer publicly accessible.
- Your account will be reviewed again in 72 hours. If prohibited content is still present at that time, your account may be permanently closed.
If you believe your content was flagged in error, please contact SmugMug support.