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Step 1Open the server Apps tab
Select your VPS, open the Apps tab, and start a new app deployment.
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PhotoPrism
Application2048MB+ RAM
AI-powered photo management
photosaigallerymanagement
Deploy PhotoPrism in 3 Steps
1
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
2
Select PhotoPrism
Choose from our template library
3
Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy PhotoPrism on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the PhotoPrism template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted AI-powered photo management server with PhotoPrism, MariaDB, originals storage, and app storage, then verify the login screen in a browser.
About 8 minutesBrowser verified
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Step 2Choose an app template
Click New App and choose the template deployment path so Server Compass can load the built-in catalog.
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Step 3Search for PhotoPrism
Use the template picker search to find PhotoPrism.
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Step 4Select the PhotoPrism template
Choose the PhotoPrism template. Server Compass fills the app image, published server URL, host port, and PhotoPrism, MariaDB, originals storage, and app storage.
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Step 5Review the PhotoPrism settings
Confirm the app name, compose services, and generated configuration.
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Step 6Deploy PhotoPrism
Review the generated environment values, confirm the port is available, and click Deploy Now.
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Step 7Watch the deployment progress
Keep the deployment modal open while Server Compass pulls images, starts services, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm PhotoPrism is running
After deployment finishes, confirm the PhotoPrism app is marked Running.
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Step 9Open PhotoPrism in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The PhotoPrism login screen confirms the app is reachable.
After PhotoPrism Opens
- Sign in with the generated PhotoPrism admin user before importing production photos.
- Confirm originals and storage volume locations before importing photo originals.
- Add a domain and HTTPS before exposing the photo management server to users.
- Back up the PhotoPrism originals, storage, and MariaDB volumes before relying on the server for production photo libraries.
Verified Result
PhotoPrism loaded successfully and displayed the login screen.
PhotoPrism deployment questions
What does the PhotoPrism template deploy?
It deploys PhotoPrism with MariaDB and persistent originals, storage, and database volumes.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 2342, which maps to the PhotoPrism web server on container port 2342.
DIY Deployment
Self-Host PhotoPrism with Docker
Take the DIY route and deploy PhotoPrism on your own server using Docker.
1
Log into Your Server
Access your server's command line by opening a terminal and running the SSH command below.
terminal
# SSH into your server
ssh root@your-server-ip
# Using a custom SSH key
ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa root@your-server-ipFirst time? Need Docker? Install it: curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh
2
Prepare the Install Location
Set up the folder structure for your Docker deployment.
terminal
# Create and navigate to project directory
mkdir -p ~/apps/photoprism
cd ~/apps/photoprism3
Create docker-compose.yml
Set up your Docker Compose file with this configuration:
docker-compose.yml
services:
photoprism:
image: photoprism/photoprism:latest
ports:
- "2342:2342"
environment:
- PHOTOPRISM_ADMIN_USER=admin
- PHOTOPRISM_ADMIN_PASSWORD=<your-admin-password>
- PHOTOPRISM_SITE_URL=<your-site-url>
- PHOTOPRISM_DATABASE_DRIVER=mysql
- PHOTOPRISM_DATABASE_SERVER=db:3306
- PHOTOPRISM_DATABASE_NAME=photoprism
- PHOTOPRISM_DATABASE_USER=photoprism
- PHOTOPRISM_DATABASE_PASSWORD=<your-db-password>
volumes:
- photoprism_originals:/photoprism/originals
- photoprism_storage:/photoprism/storage
restart: unless-stopped
depends_on:
- db
db:
image: mariadb:10.11
environment:
- MARIADB_ROOT_PASSWORD=<your-db-root-password>
- MARIADB_DATABASE=photoprism
- MARIADB_USER=photoprism
- MARIADB_PASSWORD=<your-db-password>
volumes:
- mariadb_data:/var/lib/mysql
restart: unless-stopped
volumes:
photoprism_originals:
photoprism_storage:
mariadb_data:
Configurable Options
PORTHost port(default: 2342)SITE_URLSite URLADMIN_USERAdmin user(default: admin)ADMIN_PASSWORDAdmin passwordDB_PASSWORDDB passwordDB_ROOT_PASSWORDRoot password4
Run the Deployment
Start all services defined in your compose file.
terminal
# Start the containers in detached mode
docker compose up -d
# Check if containers are running
docker compose ps
# View logs
docker compose logs -f5
Configure Network Access
Open the port so you can access the application externally.
terminal
# Allow the application port through firewall
sudo ufw allow 2342/tcp
sudo ufw reload
# Access your app at:
# http://your-server-ip:2342Skip the Terminal
Want one-click deploys? Try Server Compass.
Forget SSH and YAML files. Deploy PhotoPrism visually with Server Compass in just a few clicks.
- Visual configuration UI
- One-click deployment
- Automatic SSL setup
- Zero-downtime updates
- Built-in monitoring
- One-click rollbacks
Download Server Compass$29 one-time • Lifetime license
PhotoPrism FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting PhotoPrism
How do I deploy PhotoPrism with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select PhotoPrism from the templates list. Fill in the required configuration and click Deploy. The entire process takes under 3 minutes.
What are the system requirements for PhotoPrism?
PhotoPrism requires a minimum of 2048MB RAM. We recommend a VPS with at least 4096MB RAM for optimal performance. Any modern Linux server with Docker support will work.
Can I migrate my existing PhotoPrism data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard PhotoPrism backup and restore procedures.
How do I update PhotoPrism to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest PhotoPrism image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is PhotoPrism free to self-host?
PhotoPrism is open-source software. You only pay for your VPS hosting (typically $5-20/month) and optionally Server Compass ($29 one-time). No subscription fees or per-seat pricing.
Ready to Self-Host PhotoPrism?
Download Server Compass and deploy PhotoPrism to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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