diff --git a/sigal/gallery.py b/sigal/gallery.py
index e4126cd..ad61bcd 100644
--- a/sigal/gallery.py
+++ b/sigal/gallery.py
@@ -293,7 +293,8 @@ def process_image(filepath, outpath, settings):
         options = {}
 
     if settings['keep_orig']:
-        shutil.copy(filepath, join(outpath, settings['orig_dir'], filename))
+        copy(filepath, join(outpath, settings['orig_dir'], filename),
+             symlink=settings['orig_link'])
 
     image.generate_image(filepath, outname, settings, options=options)
 
@@ -312,7 +313,8 @@ def process_video(filepath, outpath, settings):
     outname = join(outpath, base + '.webm')
 
     if settings['keep_orig']:
-        shutil.copy(filepath, join(outpath, settings['orig_dir'], filename))
+        copy(filepath, join(outpath, settings['orig_dir'], filename),
+             symlink=settings['orig_link'])
 
     # TODO: Add specific video size settings
     video.generate_video(filepath, outname, settings['img_size'],
@@ -325,6 +327,12 @@ def process_video(filepath, outpath, settings):
             fit=settings['thumb_fit'], options=settings['jpg_options'])
 
 
+def copy(src, dst, symlink=False):
+    """Copy or symlink the file."""
+    func = os.symlink if symlink else shutil.copy2
+    func(src, dst)
+
+
 def get_metadata(path):
     """ Get album metadata from DESCRIPTION_FILE:
 
diff --git a/sigal/settings.py b/sigal/settings.py
index b3af3e2..7e0eea2 100644
--- a/sigal/settings.py
+++ b/sigal/settings.py
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ _DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
     'thumb_fit': True,
     'keep_orig': False,
     'orig_dir': 'original',
+    'orig_link': False,
     'jpg_options': {'quality': 85, 'optimize': True, 'progressive': True},
     'webm_options': {'crf': '10', 'bitrate': '1.6M',
                      'qmin': '4', 'qmax': '63'},
diff --git a/sigal/templates/sigal.conf.py b/sigal/templates/sigal.conf.py
index 090ed4c..ef06ec0 100644
--- a/sigal/templates/sigal.conf.py
+++ b/sigal/templates/sigal.conf.py
@@ -58,6 +58,9 @@ thumb_size = (280, 210)
 # Subdirectory for original images
 # orig_dir = 'original'
 
+# Use symbolic links instead of copying the original images
+# orig_link = False
+
 # Jpeg options
 # jpg_options = {'quality': 85,
 #                'optimize': True,
diff --git a/tests/test_gallery.py b/tests/test_gallery.py
index 53f2b79..3d1e85a 100644
--- a/tests/test_gallery.py
+++ b/tests/test_gallery.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 import os
 import pytest
 
-from sigal.gallery import Gallery, PathsDb, get_metadata
+from sigal.gallery import Gallery, PathsDb, get_metadata, copy
 from sigal.settings import read_settings
 
 CURRENT_DIR = os.path.dirname(__file__)
@@ -126,3 +126,17 @@ def test_gallery(tmpdir):
         html = f.read()
 
     assert '<title>Sigal test gallery</title>' in html
+
+
+def test_copy(tmpdir):
+    src = os.path.join(SAMPLE_DIR, 'pictures', 'dir2',
+                       REF['dir2']['medias'][0])
+    dst = str(tmpdir.join(REF['dir2']['medias'][0]))
+    copy(src, dst)
+    assert os.path.isfile(dst)
+
+    src = os.path.join(SAMPLE_DIR, 'pictures', 'dir2',
+                       REF['dir2']['medias'][1])
+    dst = str(tmpdir.join(REF['dir2']['medias'][1]))
+    copy(src, dst, symlink=True)
+    assert os.path.islink(dst)