Name on Picture
May 29, 2019 21:14:49 #
For years I would put in the lower right corner my name, copyright, and year. I believe that doing so has hurt getting new clients because they don't want a name on the image, or have trouble getting them printed elsewhere. What is the norm now for ie. Senior Pictures
May 29, 2019 21:19:28 #
Barndog
Loc: Tacoma
Depends on what you photograph I suppose. I do high school sports and several friends put a large watermark on the photos as I do. Maybe it stops the screen shots. Some schools have parents that buy and some don’t. I sold over $1,000 in prints to one mom and the watermarks didn’t stop her from buying.
May 29, 2019 21:21:21 #
The norm is not to watermark pictures that you print. Some photographers do put a mild (almost translucent) watermark on the proofs so that the client can't copy/paste and print the proof themselves, but some photographers simply upload very small thumbnail size photos that couldn't even make a 3x5 print. The client picks the images and the size of the package and pays for them. You have them printed and they either pick them up from you or you mail them to the client.
May 29, 2019 21:44:19 #
Old Timer
Loc: Greenfield, In.
Jeep daddy gave you some good advice, I do the same. Just have minimum resolution for your thumbnails.
May 30, 2019 01:08:06 #
Barndog
Loc: Tacoma
I should have mentioned that all of the sports pics on each of our web sites have pics watermarked but not the prints.
May 30, 2019 06:09:17 #
I use Pixieset and the clients see the proofs with the word "Proof" over the image (though you can have whatever kind of mark you want). But when they order, no watermark of any kind is on the image. I just don't think clients should have to display your name in a picture frame. But some photographers do, obviously.
May 30, 2019 06:29:09 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Photobarker wrote:
For years I would put in the lower right corner my name, copyright, and year. I believe that doing so has hurt getting new clients because they don't want a name on the image, or have trouble getting them printed elsewhere. What is the norm now for ie. Senior Pictures
I have show prints and have NEVER put my name on the front of the image. It takes away from the image.
Famous artists have all find ways to MINIMIZE their signatures on their prints, you really have to look to find it.
Putting your name on a photo is nothing more than an EGO TRIP for photographers. Let the image speak for itself.
May 30, 2019 07:03:37 #
Photobarker wrote:
For years I would put in the lower right corner my name, copyright, and year. I believe that doing so has hurt getting new clients because they don't want a name on the image, or have trouble getting them printed elsewhere. What is the norm now for ie. Senior Pictures
If they get them printed elsewhere, you don't make any money on it. Not sure that is a valid argument for removing a watermark. I think it is the norm to put the studio name on the print. I have seen prints from the 30's and 40's where that is done.
May 30, 2019 07:36:11 #
If the client pays for a picture, then I would provide a version with no watermark. If you are providing free drafts, or samples, or doing volunteer work, then put your watermark right across their shirt .
May 30, 2019 08:04:00 #
May 30, 2019 08:19:15 #
I provide the digital images on a thumb drive. I charge by the hour but estimate my time and give the client a flat fee estimate. I haven't provided printed photos for several years. This way, your paid up front regardless if they buy photos or not and you don't have to worry about providing prints.
May 30, 2019 08:33:28 #
May 30, 2019 08:55:17 #
Photobarker wrote:
For years I would put in the lower right corner my name, copyright, and year. I believe that doing so has hurt getting new clients because they don't want a name on the image, or have trouble getting them printed elsewhere. What is the norm now for ie. Senior Pictures
As a photographer and a photography viewer, I hate signatures and watermarks on photos. The eye is automatically drawn to them which takes away from what that first look should say. They don't prevent people from deleting the text from the photos if they know how.
May 30, 2019 09:18:06 #
I totally agree! It’s an ego thing in my opinion. If I see a picture like many on this forum with watermarks I don’t even look at the pictures anymore. It takes away from the actual photograph and draws your eye towards the watermark ie. someone’s name!
DebAnn wrote:
As a photographer and a photography viewer, I hate signatures and watermarks on photos. The eye is automatically drawn to them which takes away from what that first look should say. They don't prevent people from deleting the text from the photos if they know how.
May 30, 2019 09:31:15 #
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