Live Stream Video Workflow

Article Contents

• Before You Begin
• Step 1: Create a New Stream
• Step 2: Configure Your Encoder
  • RTMP Push
  • RTMP Pull
• Step 3: Start and Monitor Your Stream
• Step 4: Clip Moments During a Live Stream
• After the Stream Ends
• Troubleshooting
• Who Can Use This Feature?
• FAQs

Before You Begin

Before creating your first stream, make sure you have:

• An encoder that supports RTMP output — Common examples include OBS Studio, vMix, Wirecast, and hardware encoders such as Teradek or LiveU. PhotoShelter does not endorse or officially support any specific encoder product.
• A stable internet connection — Your upload speed should be able to sustain your chosen stream resolution (see recommended encoder settings below).
• A destination folder — Know in advance which Library folder you'd like the completed stream saved to.
• The right user role — Live Streaming is available to Administrators and Editors only.
   

Recommended Encoder Settings

PhotoShelter supports up to the resolution you select. If your encoder sends a lower quality signal, PhotoShelter will still receive and ingest it as sent. The settings below represent the maximum supported values for each tier.

Note: UHD / 4K streaming is available on select plans only. Contact your Customer Success Manager for more information.

Step 1: Create a New Stream
 

1. In your PhotoShelter Library, navigate to Live Streams from the left navigation sidebar. [visual — screenshot of the Live Streams icon in the left navigation]
2. Click + Create Stream to open the stream creation dialog. [visual — screenshot of the "+ Create Stream" button]

3. Fill in the stream details:

   • Name — Enter a descriptive name. This becomes the filename for the saved video in your Library.
   • Save Location — Select the Library folder where the completed stream video will be saved.
   • Scheduled Start — Set the date and time when your stream is expected to begin. You can schedule up to 365 days in advance.
   • Scheduled End — Set the expected end time. The minimum duration is 10 minutes. The stream can be ended manually before the scheduled time if needed.
   • Timezone — Defaults to your local timezone. Adjust if you're streaming from a different location.
   • Stream Type — Choose RTMP Push or RTMP Pull (see Step 2 for details on each).
   • Resolution — Choose HD (1080p) or UHD/4K (available on select plans).

   
   
    

4. Click Save. Your stream will appear in the Live Streams list with a Scheduled status.

Please note: The "Save Location" will not change if the file is moved after it has been stored in the selected location. Because of the way Streams are handled as files, the location for the stream file will always display the original "Save Location".

Step 2: Configure Your Encoder

Once your stream is created, you'll need to point your encoder at PhotoShelter. The method depends on the Stream Type you selected.
 

Not sure which to use? Most customers use RTMP Push. RTMP Pull is intended for setups where you have an existing RTMP source URL (e.g., from a broadcast switcher or upstream encoder).
 

RTMP Push

With RTMP Push, PhotoShelter provides you with an Ingest URL and Stream Key. You configure your encoder to send the stream to PhotoShelter.

1. From the Live Streams list, click the three-dot menu (⋯) next to your stream and select RTMP Credentials. A modal will appear with your Ingest URL and Stream Key — use the copy icons to copy each value. [visual — screenshot of the RTMP Credentials modal showing Ingest URL and Stream Key fields with copy buttons]
2. Open your encoder software (e.g., OBS Studio) and navigate to Settings > Stream (or your encoder's equivalent setting).
3. Set the Service to "Custom" and paste in:
   • Server / Ingest URL: Paste the URL copied from PhotoShelter
   • Stream Key: Paste the key copied from PhotoShelter
4. Under your encoder's output settings, apply the video settings that match your chosen resolution preset (see Recommended Encoder Settings above).
5. When you're ready to go live, refer to Step 3 for guidance on when it's safe to begin streaming.

Important: Treat your Stream Key like a password. Anyone with your Ingest URL and Stream Key can push video to your stream. Do not share it publicly.

RTMP Pull

With RTMP Pull, you provide PhotoShelter with an RTMP source URL and PhotoShelter connects to pull the stream from your source.

1. From the Live Streams list, click your stream name to open the stream detail panel.
2. Paste your RTMP Source URL into the provided field.
3. PhotoShelter will connect to your source at the scheduled time and begin pulling the stream automatically — no additional encoder configuration required on your end.
    

Step 3: Start and Monitor Your Stream

Getting to the Stream View

From the Live Streams list, click the name of any stream to open its detail view. This is where you'll monitor health, see the live feed, and access clipping tools.

• If the stream hasn't started yet, you'll see a countdown until the scheduled recording time.
• About 15 minutes before the scheduled start time (for RTMP Push streams), the status will change to Starting — PhotoShelter is preparing the ingest pipeline.
• Once the status reaches Recording, PhotoShelter is ready to receive your stream. This is the signal to begin broadcasting from your encoder. Starting before Recording status may cause "failed to connect" errors from your encoder. Expect your feed to appear in the player about a minute after you start streaming.

Stream Status Reference

Monitoring Stream Health
 

While a stream is Recording, the stream detail view shows real-time health information on the left panel, including:

• Stream Health % — An overall health score for the session
• Connection status — Disconnect count, Gap count, and Online indicator
• Event log — A timestamped record of connection events (Connected, Disconnect, Gap) during the stream
• Stream Info panel (right side) — Name, Save Location, scheduled times, Stream Type, Ingest URL, Stream Key, Input Codec, Resolution, and Max Bitrate
   

Tip: A brief encoder disconnection won't necessarily end your stream — PhotoShelter will attempt to reconnect. Watch the event log to confirm the stream has resumed before making any decisions.

Step 4: Clip Moments During a Live Stream

While a stream is Recording, you can capture specific moments as individual clips saved directly to your Library — no post-production required.
 

Set Up Clip Preferences (Optional)
 

1. In the stream detail view, locate the Clips panel on the left side. Click the gear icon in the top-right corner of the Clips panel to open Clip Settings.

    

   

    

2. Configure the Save Location for clips. By default, clips are saved to the same folder as the live stream file (Same as live stream file is checked). Uncheck this to choose a different destination.

   Note: Changing the Save Location applies to clips created from that point forward — it will not affect clips that have already been saved during this stream.

    

   

    

3. Click Save Settings. Your preferences apply to all clips created from this point forward in the session.

Create a Clip
 

1. Click the scissors icon in the bottom-right corner of the stream player toolbar to enter clipping mode. A timeline scrubber will appear at the bottom of the player.
   
   
    
2. Use the timeline scrubber to set your Start and End points. You can drag the handles or use the start/end time input fields to define the clip range precisely. [visual — screenshot of the clip timeline scrubber showing Start time, duration, and End time]

3. Once your in and out points are set, the scissors icon turns blue — this confirms it is ready to finalize. Click the blue scissors icon to create the clip.

    

   

4. A Clips modal will appear with a preview of your clip. Add:

   • File Name (required) — Enter a descriptive name for the clip
   • Keywords (optional) — Add IPTC keywords to make the clip searchable in your Library

    

   

    

5. Click Save. You will be returned to the live stream view immediately. The clip will appear in the Clips panel with a Processing… status. You'll receive a confirmation once it's ready to view or share. 

Please note: PeopleID will only apply to livestream clips if you have tagging enabled for global uploads. Per-Gallery support coming soon!

Share or Act on a Clip
 

Once a clip is saved, use the overflow menu (⋯) on any clip in the Clips panel for the following actions:

• Share Clip — Copy a shareable link to the clip
• Send to Socialie — Manually send the clip to Socialie for distribution. Socialie will apply your existing distribution rules as soon as the clip arrives. This action cannot be undone.
• Go to Gallery — Navigate to the clip's location in your Library
• Delete Clip — Remove the clip

Socialie: Socialie will automatically apply your existing distribution rules to any clip or completed stream file as soon as it arrives in your Library. You can also manually send individual clips using Send to Socialie from the clip overflow menu. Once sent, clips cannot be recalled.

After the Stream Ends

When a stream ends — either because the scheduled end time is reached or you stop it manually — PhotoShelter will automatically:

1. Finalize and save the full stream as a .ts video file to the Library folder you selected during setup
2. Begin processing the video through standard Library pipelines

You'll see the stream status change from Processing to Complete when the video is available in your Library.
 

Processing time: Typically just a few minutes (~5 minutes or less) for most stream lengths and resolutions. Longer or higher-resolution streams may take slightly more time.

Once the completed stream file is in your Library, PhotoShelter will automatically run PeopleID and Transcription on it (if included in your subscription). These process after the video is fully available — allow a few additional minutes beyond the initial processing time before they appear.
 

Troubleshooting
 

The stream is stuck in "Starting" status, or my encoder is getting connection errors

The Starting status appears approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled start time — this means PhotoShelter is preparing the ingest pipeline. The Recording status is the signal that PhotoShelter is ready to receive your stream. Do not begin broadcasting from your encoder until the status reaches Recording. Starting too early may result in "failed to connect" errors from your encoder.

If the status has reached Recording but your encoder is still having trouble connecting:

• Confirm your encoder is actively streaming (not paused or stopped)
• Verify the Ingest URL and Stream Key were copied exactly — no extra spaces or characters
• Check that your encoder's output settings match the PhotoShelter resolution preset
• Try stopping and restarting the stream from your encoder

My encoder is running but the stream shows as disconnected

• Check your internet connection and available upload bandwidth
• Make sure no firewall or network policy is blocking outbound RTMP traffic (port 1935)
• Restart your encoder and re-initiate the stream connection
• If the issue persists, check the event log in the health panel for timing details and contact support

The stream ended but my video isn't showing in the Library

• Allow a few minutes for the video to finish processing — it may still be in Processing state
• Confirm the Save Location set during stream creation was an accessible Library folder
• Refresh your Library view and check the folder directly
• If the stream shows a Failed status, contact PhotoShelter Support with the stream name and scheduled date/time

I see a capacity or hours warning when trying to create a stream
 

Your subscription includes an allotment of streaming hours per subscription year. If you see a warning at 80% of your hours used, you can still create and run streams. Once your allotted hours are fully used, new streams cannot be started until the next subscription period. Contact your Customer Success Manager to discuss your streaming hours or increase your allotment.
 

Who Can Use This Feature?

Live Stream Ingest is available to Administrators and Editors. Contact your Customer Success Manager if you're unsure whether this feature is included in your plan.

FAQs
 

Can I stream to PhotoShelter and another platform (like YouTube or Vimeo) at the same time? Yes. Many encoders support simultaneous output to multiple destinations. Configure your encoder to push to both your platform of choice and the PhotoShelter Ingest URL. PhotoShelter will independently receive and archive your stream regardless of where else it's being broadcast.

Can I change the scheduled end time while a stream is recording? Yes. You can edit the end time on an active stream to extend or shorten the session. Changes take effect immediately.

What happens if my encoder disconnects mid-stream? PhotoShelter will register the disconnect in the stream's event log and attempt to resume ingesting if the encoder reconnects. Brief interruptions typically don't end the stream. If the encoder disconnects for an extended period, the stream may be marked as Failed.

Can I add keywords to clips? Yes. After setting your in and out points and clicking the blue scissors icon, a modal will appear where you can name the clip and add IPTC keywords before saving it to your Library.

Can I set up a stream in advance and go live later? Yes. Creating a stream generates your Ingest URL and Stream Key immediately — you can configure your encoder at any time and go live when you're ready. The stream status will remain Scheduled until your start time.

Can I delete a stream I no longer need? Yes. Streams in Scheduled, Complete, or Failed status can be deleted from the overflow menu (⋯) in the Live Streams list. This removes the stream record but does not delete any video files or clips already saved to your Library.

What video format is the completed stream saved as? Completed streams are saved as .ts (MPEG transport stream) video files. The file will appear alongside other video assets in your selected Library folder and is compatible with standard playback and download from PhotoShelter.

How does Socialie work with live streams? Socialie will automatically apply your existing distribution rules to any clip or completed stream file as soon as it lands in your Library. You can also manually send individual clips using Send to Socialie from the clip overflow menu. Once sent, clips cannot be recalled.

Do I need to be logged in to watch a stream while it's live? Yes. Live stream monitoring (including the health panel) is only available to Administrators and Editors within the PhotoShelter interface. Sharing completed stream videos follows the same visibility and permissions settings as other Library assets.

Need more help? Contact PhotoShelter Support or reach out to your Customer Success Manager.