I’m building one[1]! Please sign up for the beta if you’re interested, I could really use some early feedback. :)

[1]: https://ente.io

Your demo video looks good and I am all for encryption! I signed up.

For automatic backups of photos, this is built-in functionality of NextCloud. That's what I currently use.

My plan is to then identify a good photo organizer / viewing self-hosted application that does non-destructive organizing, since NextCloud's photo viewing is garbage.

It's amazing how there is no good Flickr in 2020

Flickr is a good Flickr. Also, there's a bunch of Google Photos alternatives mentioned elsewhere in the thread if you're interested in that.

hah!

Is your focus area for mere hosting of photos (such as for availability/backup)? Or, are you more interested in being able to share tour photos? Is there a particular feature that is most important for you related to a G Photos alternative? I think if you post that, perhaps viable suggestions might be offered that would be best for you; instead of some general "try XYZ because it is randomly better!" sort of comment.

It was both a good back up as well as method of distribution to clients I suppose. Self hosting is going to be the way to go, though UX-wise and ease of use still seems off.

If you want to self-host, you're welcome to try out PhotoStructure: https://photostructure.com/faq/why-photostructure/

Yes, this is the route I am looking to go most likely. I will check this out