diff --git a/backend/migrations/core/077_add_default_photo_sort.js b/backend/migrations/core/077_add_default_photo_sort.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c6468903
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/migrations/core/077_add_default_photo_sort.js
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+exports.up = async function(knex) {
+  const hasColumn = await knex.schema.hasColumn('events', 'default_photo_sort');
+  if (!hasColumn) {
+    await knex.schema.alterTable('events', (table) => {
+      table.string('default_photo_sort', 50).defaultTo('upload_date_desc');
+    });
+  }
+};
+
+exports.down = async function(knex) {
+  const hasColumn = await knex.schema.hasColumn('events', 'default_photo_sort');
+  if (hasColumn) {
+    await knex.schema.alterTable('events', (table) => {
+      table.dropColumn('default_photo_sort');
+    });
+  }
+};
diff --git a/backend/src/routes/adminEvents.js b/backend/src/routes/adminEvents.js
index c76f538e..b04bbc7e 100644
--- a/backend/src/routes/adminEvents.js
+++ b/backend/src/routes/adminEvents.js
@@ -259,7 +259,12 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, requirePermission('events.create'), [
   body('hero_image_anchor').optional().custom(validateHeroImageAnchor),
   // Client access settings (#172)
   body('client_access_enabled').optional().isBoolean(),
-  body('client_password').optional().isString()
+  body('client_password').optional().isString(),
+  body('default_photo_sort').optional().isIn([
+    'upload_date_desc', 'upload_date_asc',
+    'capture_date_desc', 'capture_date_asc',
+    'filename_asc', 'filename_desc'
+  ])
 ], async (req, res) => {
   try {
     logger.debug('Create event request body', { body: req.body });
@@ -314,7 +319,9 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, requirePermission('events.create'), [
       client_access_enabled = false,
       client_password = null,
       // Draft mode
-      is_draft = true
+      is_draft = true,
+      // Default photo sort
+      default_photo_sort = 'upload_date_desc'
     } = req.body;
 
     const customerName = getCustomerNameFromPayload(req.body);
@@ -483,6 +490,7 @@ router.post('/', adminAuth, requirePermission('events.create'), [
       hero_image_anchor: hero_image_anchor || 'center',
       photo_cap: photo_cap || null,
       is_draft: formatBoolean(parseBooleanInput(is_draft, true)),
+      default_photo_sort: default_photo_sort || 'upload_date_desc',
       // Client access (#172)
       client_access_enabled: formatBoolean(client_access_enabled),
       ...(client_access_enabled && client_password ? {
@@ -856,7 +864,12 @@ router.put('/:id', adminAuth, requirePermission('events.edit'), requireEventOwne
   // Client access settings (#172)
   body('client_access_enabled').optional().isBoolean(),
   body('client_password').optional().isString(),
-  body('regenerate_client_token').optional().isBoolean()
+  body('regenerate_client_token').optional().isBoolean(),
+  body('default_photo_sort').optional().isIn([
+    'upload_date_desc', 'upload_date_asc',
+    'capture_date_desc', 'capture_date_asc',
+    'filename_asc', 'filename_desc'
+  ])
 ], async (req, res) => {
   try {
     const errors = validationResult(req);
diff --git a/backend/src/routes/gallery.js b/backend/src/routes/gallery.js
index 3072d370..ebaa35c2 100644
--- a/backend/src/routes/gallery.js
+++ b/backend/src/routes/gallery.js
@@ -123,7 +123,8 @@ router.get('/:slug/info', async (req, res) => {
         'header_style',
         'hero_divider_style',
         'hero_image_anchor',
-        'is_draft'
+        'is_draft',
+        'default_photo_sort'
       )
       .first();
 
@@ -182,7 +183,8 @@ router.get('/:slug/info', async (req, res) => {
       hero_logo_url: event.hero_logo_url || null,
       header_style: event.header_style || 'standard',
       hero_divider_style: event.hero_divider_style || 'wave',
-      hero_image_anchor: event.hero_image_anchor || 'center'
+      hero_image_anchor: event.hero_image_anchor || 'center',
+      default_photo_sort: event.default_photo_sort || 'upload_date_desc'
     });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error('Error fetching gallery info:', error);
@@ -397,6 +399,7 @@ router.get('/:slug/photos', verifyGalleryAccess, async (req, res) => {
         header_style: req.event.header_style || 'standard',
         hero_divider_style: req.event.hero_divider_style || 'wave',
         hero_image_anchor: req.event.hero_image_anchor || 'center',
+        default_photo_sort: req.event.default_photo_sort || 'upload_date_desc',
         ...protectionSettings
       },
       categories: categories,
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/gallery/GallerySidebar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/gallery/GallerySidebar.tsx
index 9936ca7f..43e9bd13 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/gallery/GallerySidebar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/gallery/GallerySidebar.tsx
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ export const GallerySidebar: React.FC<GallerySidebarProps> = ({
                     <button
                       key={option.value}
                       onClick={() => {
-                        onSortChange(option.value as 'date' | 'name' | 'size' | 'rating');
+                        onSortChange(option.value as 'date' | 'name' | 'size' | 'rating' | 'capture_date');
                         if (isMobile) onClose();
                       }}
                       className={`
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/gallery/GalleryView.tsx b/frontend/src/components/gallery/GalleryView.tsx
index ee1a49eb..3bf20333 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/gallery/GalleryView.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/gallery/GalleryView.tsx
@@ -42,6 +42,25 @@ interface GalleryViewProps {
   };
 }
 
+// Convert default_photo_sort DB value to internal sortBy state
+const parseDefaultPhotoSort = (defaultSort?: string): { sortBy: 'date' | 'name' | 'size' | 'rating' | 'capture_date'; sortDesc: boolean } => {
+  switch (defaultSort) {
+    case 'upload_date_asc':
+      return { sortBy: 'date', sortDesc: false };
+    case 'capture_date_desc':
+      return { sortBy: 'capture_date', sortDesc: true };
+    case 'capture_date_asc':
+      return { sortBy: 'capture_date', sortDesc: false };
+    case 'filename_asc':
+      return { sortBy: 'name', sortDesc: false };
+    case 'filename_desc':
+      return { sortBy: 'name', sortDesc: true };
+    case 'upload_date_desc':
+    default:
+      return { sortBy: 'date', sortDesc: true };
+  }
+};
+
 export const GalleryView: React.FC<GalleryViewProps> = ({ slug, event }) => {
   const { t } = useTranslation();
   const { logout, isClient } = useGalleryAuth();
@@ -50,6 +69,7 @@ export const GalleryView: React.FC<GalleryViewProps> = ({ slug, event }) => {
   const [selectedCategoryId, setSelectedCategoryId] = useState<number | string | null>(null);
   const [searchTerm, setSearchTerm] = useState('');
   const [sortBy, setSortBy] = useState<'date' | 'name' | 'size' | 'rating' | 'capture_date'>('date');
+  const [defaultSortApplied, setDefaultSortApplied] = useState(false);
   const [brandingSettings, setBrandingSettings] = useState<any>(null);
   const [showUploadModal, setShowUploadModal] = useState(false);
   const [sidebarOpen, setSidebarOpen] = useState(false);
@@ -103,6 +123,15 @@ export const GalleryView: React.FC<GalleryViewProps> = ({ slug, event }) => {
     }
   }, [data?.event?.protection_level]);
 
+  // Apply default photo sort from event settings
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!defaultSortApplied && data?.event?.default_photo_sort) {
+      const { sortBy: defaultSortBy } = parseDefaultPhotoSort(data.event.default_photo_sort);
+      setSortBy(defaultSortBy);
+      setDefaultSortApplied(true);
+    }
+  }, [data?.event?.default_photo_sort, defaultSortApplied]);
+
   // Get individual protection settings from event
   const disableRightClick = data?.event?.disable_right_click === true;
   const enableDevtoolsProtection = data?.event?.enable_devtools_protection === true;
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/gallery/PhotoFilterBar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/gallery/PhotoFilterBar.tsx
index 101b3d3c..3e67bc09 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/gallery/PhotoFilterBar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/gallery/PhotoFilterBar.tsx
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@ interface PhotoFilterBarProps {
   onCategoryChange: (categoryId: number | string | null) => void;
   searchTerm: string;
   onSearchChange: (term: string) => void;
-  sortBy: 'date' | 'name' | 'size' | 'rating';
-  onSortChange: (sort: 'date' | 'name' | 'size' | 'rating') => void;
+  sortBy: 'date' | 'name' | 'size' | 'rating' | 'capture_date';
+  onSortChange: (sort: 'date' | 'name' | 'size' | 'rating' | 'capture_date') => void;
   photoCount: number;
   // Feedback filter props
   feedbackEnabled?: boolean;
@@ -82,9 +82,10 @@ export const PhotoFilterBar: React.FC<PhotoFilterBarProps> = ({
             className="w-full md:w-auto text-sm md:text-base"
           >
             <span className="hidden md:inline">{t('common.sortBy')} </span>
-            {sortBy === 'date' ? t('gallery.sortByDate').replace('Sort by ', '') : 
-             sortBy === 'name' ? t('gallery.sortByName').replace('Sort by ', '') : 
+            {sortBy === 'date' ? t('gallery.sortByDate').replace('Sort by ', '') :
+             sortBy === 'name' ? t('gallery.sortByName').replace('Sort by ', '') :
              sortBy === 'size' ? t('gallery.sortBySize').replace('Sort by ', '') :
+             sortBy === 'capture_date' ? t('photoSort.dateTaken', 'Date Taken') :
              t('gallery.sortByRating', 'Rating')}
           </Button>
           
@@ -101,6 +102,17 @@ export const PhotoFilterBar: React.FC<PhotoFilterBarProps> = ({
               >
                 {t('gallery.sortByDate')}
               </button>
+              <button
+                onClick={() => {
+                  onSortChange('capture_date');
+                  setShowSortMenu(false);
+                }}
+                className={`w-full text-left px-4 py-2 text-sm hover:bg-black/10 ${
+                  sortBy === 'capture_date' ? 'text-primary-600 bg-primary-50' : 'text-muted-theme'
+                }`}
+              >
+                {t('photoSort.dateTaken', 'Date Taken')}
+              </button>
               <button
                 onClick={() => {
                   onSortChange('name');
diff --git a/frontend/src/i18n/locales/de.json b/frontend/src/i18n/locales/de.json
index 762d04ea..765c5787 100644
--- a/frontend/src/i18n/locales/de.json
+++ b/frontend/src/i18n/locales/de.json
@@ -2396,5 +2396,15 @@
     "sanitizationWarning": "Einige CSS-Muster wurden aus Sicherheitsgründen blockiert",
     "reset": "Vorlage auf Standard zurückgesetzt",
     "resetFailed": "Vorlage konnte nicht zurückgesetzt werden"
+  },
+  "photoSort": {
+    "defaultSort": "Standard-Fotosortierung",
+    "uploadDateNewest": "Hochladedatum (Neueste zuerst)",
+    "uploadDateOldest": "Hochladedatum (Älteste zuerst)",
+    "captureDateNewest": "Aufnahmedatum (Neueste zuerst)",
+    "captureDateOldest": "Aufnahmedatum (Älteste zuerst)",
+    "filenameAZ": "Dateiname (A-Z)",
+    "filenameZA": "Dateiname (Z-A)",
+    "dateTaken": "Aufnahmedatum"
   }
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/i18n/locales/en.json b/frontend/src/i18n/locales/en.json
index bb17c36c..32749ccb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/i18n/locales/en.json
+++ b/frontend/src/i18n/locales/en.json
@@ -2396,5 +2396,15 @@
     "exportSelected": "Export {{count}} selected",
     "exportFiltered": "Export filtered photos",
     "hint": "Select photos or apply filters to export"
+  },
+  "photoSort": {
+    "defaultSort": "Default Photo Sort",
+    "uploadDateNewest": "Upload Date (Newest First)",
+    "uploadDateOldest": "Upload Date (Oldest First)",
+    "captureDateNewest": "Date Taken (Newest First)",
+    "captureDateOldest": "Date Taken (Oldest First)",
+    "filenameAZ": "Filename (A-Z)",
+    "filenameZA": "Filename (Z-A)",
+    "dateTaken": "Date Taken"
   }
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/i18n/locales/nl.json b/frontend/src/i18n/locales/nl.json
index 69651d15..87477e9f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/i18n/locales/nl.json
+++ b/frontend/src/i18n/locales/nl.json
@@ -2396,5 +2396,15 @@
     "linkLabel": "Klanttoegangslink",
     "regenerateToken": "Link opnieuw genereren",
     "tokenRegenerated": "Klanttoegangslink opnieuw gegenereerd"
+  },
+  "photoSort": {
+    "defaultSort": "Standaard fotovolgorde",
+    "uploadDateNewest": "Uploaddatum (Nieuwste eerst)",
+    "uploadDateOldest": "Uploaddatum (Oudste eerst)",
+    "captureDateNewest": "Opnamedatum (Nieuwste eerst)",
+    "captureDateOldest": "Opnamedatum (Oudste eerst)",
+    "filenameAZ": "Bestandsnaam (A-Z)",
+    "filenameZA": "Bestandsnaam (Z-A)",
+    "dateTaken": "Opnamedatum"
   }
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/i18n/locales/pt.json b/frontend/src/i18n/locales/pt.json
index 6a807056..625011da 100644
--- a/frontend/src/i18n/locales/pt.json
+++ b/frontend/src/i18n/locales/pt.json
@@ -2396,5 +2396,15 @@
     "exportSelected": "Exportar {{count}} selecionados",
     "exportFiltered": "Exportar fotos filtradas",
     "hint": "Selecione fotos ou aplique filtros para exportar"
+  },
+  "photoSort": {
+    "defaultSort": "Ordenação padrão das fotos",
+    "uploadDateNewest": "Data de envio (Mais recentes)",
+    "uploadDateOldest": "Data de envio (Mais antigas)",
+    "captureDateNewest": "Data da captura (Mais recentes)",
+    "captureDateOldest": "Data da captura (Mais antigas)",
+    "filenameAZ": "Nome do arquivo (A-Z)",
+    "filenameZA": "Nome do arquivo (Z-A)",
+    "dateTaken": "Data da captura"
   }
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/i18n/locales/ru.json b/frontend/src/i18n/locales/ru.json
index 76f06c0c..97e2a52e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/i18n/locales/ru.json
+++ b/frontend/src/i18n/locales/ru.json
@@ -2396,5 +2396,15 @@
     "exportSelected": "Экспортировать {{count}} выбранных",
     "exportFiltered": "Экспортировать отфильтрованные фото",
     "hint": "Выберите фото или примените фильтры для экспорта"
+  },
+  "photoSort": {
+    "defaultSort": "Сортировка фото по умолчанию",
+    "uploadDateNewest": "Дата загрузки (Сначала новые)",
+    "uploadDateOldest": "Дата загрузки (Сначала старые)",
+    "captureDateNewest": "Дата съёмки (Сначала новые)",
+    "captureDateOldest": "Дата съёмки (Сначала старые)",
+    "filenameAZ": "Имя файла (А-Я)",
+    "filenameZA": "Имя файла (Я-А)",
+    "dateTaken": "Дата съёмки"
   }
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/admin/CreateEventPage.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/admin/CreateEventPage.tsx
index fe8c2fb5..0a9624de 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/admin/CreateEventPage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/admin/CreateEventPage.tsx
@@ -63,6 +63,8 @@ interface FormData {
   // Client access (#172)
   client_access_enabled: boolean;
   client_password: string;
+  // Default photo sort
+  default_photo_sort: string;
 }
 
 // Fallback event types (used when API is unavailable)
@@ -120,6 +122,7 @@ export const CreateEventPage: React.FC = () => {
     },
     client_access_enabled: false,
     client_password: '',
+    default_photo_sort: 'upload_date_desc',
   });
 
   const [errors, setErrors] = useState<Partial<Record<keyof FormData, string>>>({});
@@ -319,6 +322,8 @@ export const CreateEventPage: React.FC = () => {
       // Client access (#172)
       client_access_enabled: formData.client_access_enabled,
       client_password: formData.client_access_enabled ? formData.client_password : undefined,
+      // Default photo sort
+      default_photo_sort: formData.default_photo_sort,
     };
 
     createMutation.mutate(payload);
@@ -751,6 +756,25 @@ export const CreateEventPage: React.FC = () => {
               </div>
             </div>
 
+            {/* Default Photo Sort */}
+            <div className="pt-4 border-t border-neutral-200 dark:border-neutral-700">
+              <label className="block text-sm font-medium text-neutral-700 dark:text-neutral-300 mb-2">
+                {t('photoSort.defaultSort', 'Default Photo Sort')}
+              </label>
+              <select
+                value={formData.default_photo_sort}
+                onChange={(e) => setFormData({ ...formData, default_photo_sort: e.target.value })}
+                className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-neutral-300 dark:border-neutral-600 bg-white dark:bg-neutral-800 text-neutral-900 dark:text-neutral-100 rounded-lg focus:ring-2 focus:ring-primary-500 focus:border-primary-500"
+              >
+                <option value="upload_date_desc">{t('photoSort.uploadDateNewest', 'Upload Date (Newest First)')}</option>
+                <option value="upload_date_asc">{t('photoSort.uploadDateOldest', 'Upload Date (Oldest First)')}</option>
+                <option value="capture_date_desc">{t('photoSort.captureDateNewest', 'Date Taken (Newest First)')}</option>
+                <option value="capture_date_asc">{t('photoSort.captureDateOldest', 'Date Taken (Oldest First)')}</option>
+                <option value="filename_asc">{t('photoSort.filenameAZ', 'Filename (A-Z)')}</option>
+                <option value="filename_desc">{t('photoSort.filenameZA', 'Filename (Z-A)')}</option>
+              </select>
+            </div>
+
             {/* Client Access (#172) */}
             <div className="pt-4 border-t border-neutral-200 dark:border-neutral-700">
               <label className="flex items-start gap-2">
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/admin/EventDetailsPage.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/admin/EventDetailsPage.tsx
index 488d9110..164bd8e8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/admin/EventDetailsPage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/admin/EventDetailsPage.tsx
@@ -176,6 +176,8 @@ export const EventDetailsPage: React.FC = () => {
     hero_image_anchor: string;
     // Photo cap
     photo_cap: number;
+    // Default photo sort
+    default_photo_sort: string;
   };
 
   const [isEditing, setIsEditing] = useState(false);
@@ -209,6 +211,8 @@ export const EventDetailsPage: React.FC = () => {
     hero_image_anchor: 'center',
     // Photo cap
     photo_cap: 0,
+    // Default photo sort
+    default_photo_sort: 'upload_date_desc',
   });
   const [feedbackSettings, setFeedbackSettings] = useState<FeedbackSettingsType>({
     feedback_enabled: false,
@@ -442,6 +446,8 @@ export const EventDetailsPage: React.FC = () => {
       hero_image_anchor: event.hero_image_anchor || 'center',
       // Photo cap
       photo_cap: event.photo_cap || 0,
+      // Default photo sort
+      default_photo_sort: event.default_photo_sort || 'upload_date_desc',
     });
 
     setShowNewPassword(false);
@@ -577,6 +583,8 @@ export const EventDetailsPage: React.FC = () => {
       hero_image_anchor: editForm.hero_image_anchor,
       // Photo cap
       photo_cap: editForm.photo_cap > 0 ? editForm.photo_cap : null,
+      // Default photo sort
+      default_photo_sort: editForm.default_photo_sort,
       // Header style settings (decoupled from layout, #158)
       header_style: currentTheme?.headerStyle || 'standard',
       hero_divider_style: currentTheme?.heroDividerStyle || 'wave',
@@ -1125,6 +1133,25 @@ export const EventDetailsPage: React.FC = () => {
                   </div>
                 </div>
 
+                {/* Default Photo Sort */}
+                <div>
+                  <label className="block text-sm font-medium text-neutral-700 dark:text-neutral-300 mb-1">
+                    {t('photoSort.defaultSort', 'Default Photo Sort')}
+                  </label>
+                  <select
+                    value={editForm.default_photo_sort}
+                    onChange={(e) => setEditForm(prev => ({ ...prev, default_photo_sort: e.target.value }))}
+                    className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-neutral-300 dark:border-neutral-600 bg-white dark:bg-neutral-800 text-neutral-900 dark:text-neutral-100 rounded-lg focus:ring-2 focus:ring-primary-500 focus:border-primary-500"
+                  >
+                    <option value="upload_date_desc">{t('photoSort.uploadDateNewest', 'Upload Date (Newest First)')}</option>
+                    <option value="upload_date_asc">{t('photoSort.uploadDateOldest', 'Upload Date (Oldest First)')}</option>
+                    <option value="capture_date_desc">{t('photoSort.captureDateNewest', 'Date Taken (Newest First)')}</option>
+                    <option value="capture_date_asc">{t('photoSort.captureDateOldest', 'Date Taken (Oldest First)')}</option>
+                    <option value="filename_asc">{t('photoSort.filenameAZ', 'Filename (A-Z)')}</option>
+                    <option value="filename_desc">{t('photoSort.filenameZA', 'Filename (Z-A)')}</option>
+                  </select>
+                </div>
+
                 <div>
                   <label className="flex items-center">
                     <input
diff --git a/frontend/src/services/events.service.ts b/frontend/src/services/events.service.ts
index a1befa9a..786cb3b5 100644
--- a/frontend/src/services/events.service.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/services/events.service.ts
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ interface CreateEventData {
   moderate_comments?: boolean;
   show_feedback_to_guests?: boolean;
   photo_cap?: number | null;
+  default_photo_sort?: string;
 }
 
 interface UpdateEventData {
@@ -60,6 +61,7 @@ interface UpdateEventData {
   source_mode?: 'managed' | 'reference';
   external_path?: string | null;
   photo_cap?: number | null;
+  default_photo_sort?: string;
 }
 
 interface EventsListResponse {
diff --git a/frontend/src/types/index.ts b/frontend/src/types/index.ts
index d7a60190..83321372 100644
--- a/frontend/src/types/index.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/types/index.ts
@@ -60,6 +60,8 @@ export interface Event {
   // Client access (#172)
   client_access_enabled?: boolean;
   client_share_token?: string;
+  // Default photo sort order
+  default_photo_sort?: string;
 }
 
 export type GalleryAccessLevel = 'guest' | 'client';
@@ -73,6 +75,7 @@ export interface GalleryInfo {
   is_expired: boolean;
   requires_password?: boolean;
   color_theme?: string;
+  default_photo_sort?: string;
 }
 
 export interface Photo {
@@ -151,6 +154,8 @@ export interface GalleryData {
     hero_divider_style?: 'wave' | 'straight' | 'angle' | 'curve' | 'none';
     // Hero image anchor position (#162) – keyword or "X% Y%" focal point
     hero_image_anchor?: string;
+    // Default photo sort order
+    default_photo_sort?: string;
   };
   categories?: PhotoCategory[];
   photos: Photo[];