When to watermark and when not to
Oct 31, 2012 14:27:58 #
Hi all I am doing a portrait shoot for a friends family. I am not charging as I am still new to this and am using the images to help build a portfolio. they only want images on a cd no prints they are going to use them on Facebook with the possibility of printing them for their self's in the future. My question is should I water mark the images (just a small logo in the bottom corner) or do I just ask for recognition ?
Oct 31, 2012 14:40:51 #
donrent
Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl
Don't ask - that would just be a waste of time ... Just put your watermark on...
Oct 31, 2012 22:26:54 #
Knowing the pictures will be posted on Facebook would cause me to decline to give - or sell - them any photos under any circumstances. Once they are posted to FB, you will have virtually NO control over them. I'd sooner relegate them to the trash bin!
Oct 31, 2012 22:31:00 #
Oct 31, 2012 23:30:25 #
I posted here a while back about someone cropping off my signature, then posting on FB. I was not happy about it, but did learn a valuable lesson. On one pic, the woman actually cropped off her own head! It was a really good pic, but she doesn't like her face. Go figure! Since she did that, I should be thankful that she removed my name!
You may want to give them something in writing which states your expectations -- for example, no cropping off heads or important body parts or whatever you don't like. LOL
So, what I am trying to say is that some people will just crop off your watermark unless you make it large and place it over the most important part of the photo. In your situation, you obviously cannot do that. At the very least, flatten the layers in PhotoShop if you want your watermark to stay on the photo. And then just hope for the best.
Perhaps I should have cropped her head in all the photos and watermarked them "Lizzy Borden". LOL
Lou Ellen
You may want to give them something in writing which states your expectations -- for example, no cropping off heads or important body parts or whatever you don't like. LOL
So, what I am trying to say is that some people will just crop off your watermark unless you make it large and place it over the most important part of the photo. In your situation, you obviously cannot do that. At the very least, flatten the layers in PhotoShop if you want your watermark to stay on the photo. And then just hope for the best.
Perhaps I should have cropped her head in all the photos and watermarked them "Lizzy Borden". LOL
Lou Ellen
Joelbarton87 wrote:
Hi all I am doing a portrait shoot for a friends family. I am not charging as I am still new to this and am using the images to help build a portfolio. they only want images on a cd no prints they are going to use them on Facebook with the possibility of printing them for their self's in the future. My question is should I water mark the images (just a small logo in the bottom corner) or do I just ask for recognition ?
Nov 1, 2012 00:06:34 #
Definitely add your watermark.
For the rest, just hope for the best. If they tell you they don't want shots with the watermark, then tell them they'll have to purchase the shots from you.
Just because you are new to photography or portraiture, doesn't mean that you aren't good enough to charge for your work. If they like them, they'll pay. If they don't, then it's all a moot point.
Or you could just tell them that you can ONLY provide prints, then if they want it online, they'll have to scan it first. Might be enough to deter them from stealing your work.
Good luck, let us know how it works out.
For the rest, just hope for the best. If they tell you they don't want shots with the watermark, then tell them they'll have to purchase the shots from you.
Just because you are new to photography or portraiture, doesn't mean that you aren't good enough to charge for your work. If they like them, they'll pay. If they don't, then it's all a moot point.
Or you could just tell them that you can ONLY provide prints, then if they want it online, they'll have to scan it first. Might be enough to deter them from stealing your work.
Good luck, let us know how it works out.
Nov 1, 2012 00:17:13 #
lighthouse
Loc: No Fixed Abode
I wouldn't watermark.
I wouldn't ask for recognition.
They aren't paying but also you are not paying for models to learn the craft on.
I would only supply the images on the CD at about 640x480 pixels.For facebook this should be plenty large enough.
If they want to get prints they can come back to you for prints off the full sized pics.
You may work out some dollar figure for that then.
If they like them enough to get printed then they should like them enough to pay.
Maybe $15 for a 5x7" and $30 for an A4,8x12".
I have found that often the main reason people don't want prints and ask for images on a disc is so that you give them full size images and they print their own to cheapskate you.
I wouldn't ask for recognition.
They aren't paying but also you are not paying for models to learn the craft on.
I would only supply the images on the CD at about 640x480 pixels.For facebook this should be plenty large enough.
If they want to get prints they can come back to you for prints off the full sized pics.
You may work out some dollar figure for that then.
If they like them enough to get printed then they should like them enough to pay.
Maybe $15 for a 5x7" and $30 for an A4,8x12".
I have found that often the main reason people don't want prints and ask for images on a disc is so that you give them full size images and they print their own to cheapskate you.
Nov 1, 2012 03:19:44 #
Joelbarton87 wrote:
Hi all I am doing a portrait shoot for a friends family. I am not charging as I am still new to this and am using the images to help build a portfolio. they only want images on a cd no prints they are going to use them on Facebook with the possibility of printing them for their self's in the future. My question is should I water mark the images (just a small logo in the bottom corner) or do I just ask for recognition ?
Watermark for sure
Nov 1, 2012 06:10:23 #
I, watermark for web. But if they just pay me for a c.d. I don't watermark their copy. They couldn't print it in the store with it on. If they want larger portrates from me then I watermark it.
Nov 1, 2012 06:10:24 #
I, watermark for web. But if they just pay me for a c.d. I don't watermark their copy. They couldn't print it in the store with it on. If they want larger portrates from me then I watermark it.
Nov 1, 2012 06:12:02 #
Nov 1, 2012 07:54:51 #
Joelbarton87 wrote:
Hi all I am doing a portrait shoot for a friends family. I am not charging as I am still new to this and am using the images to help build a portfolio. they only want images on a cd no prints they are going to use them on Facebook with the possibility of printing them for their self's in the future. My question is should I water mark the images (just a small logo in the bottom corner) or do I just ask for recognition ?
Now that I have a program that lets me add my watermark I mark all of my images.
Blake
Nov 1, 2012 09:12:50 #
Watermark ALL images AND resize to 640x480 unless they PURCHASE a CD of full size images. If they purchase a cd, I would still watermark the images, but include a written statement giving certain named individuals the right to get them printed. This way they can take the cd in to the store, show their ID and the letter and get them printed, but no one else will be able to have them printed at a store if the files end up getting shared.
Nov 1, 2012 09:39:33 #
Great advice Wahwk. I watermark and register everything I produce but I don't do event photography...... Never have. Most of my work is art or commercial. When people ask me about use of my images I ask if they want to own it or just use it. It cost more to own it. :-)
Nov 1, 2012 10:01:33 #
To me, No Charge means No Charge. If you don't deliver what your "customer" expects you stand a good chance of losing future customers, and perhaps a friend. If you have not addressed all the contingencies already, it is too late to cover your backside now. Deliver your best work now, and cover yourself the next time. However, a small logo or signature probably will not be an issue, and if you did not include digital editing in the package perhaps you can make a little profit by offering some PP.
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