Watermarking Question

[Gigi1]

Hey all...

I haven't been around the site for a while (unfortunately) so I don't know if this question was asked/answered before, so please forgive me if it is a repeat.

If a client hires me just for the shooting and editing, and only wants a CD with the photos after, without me printing any of them, am I supposed to watermark (even a small one in the corner) the photos on the CD? Or do I just give them nice, pristine pictures which don't "credit" me at all?

Any help on this would be appreciated!

[lputman]

That's completely up to you. Sort of like "Olan Mills" having their stamp on all of their photographs. There's no right or wrong regarding watermarking a photo.

[autofocus]

This is solely up to you. As for us (mine, and my wife's business) and with very few exceptions, we will turn down clients who request only this. I simply feel it is inconsistent with our business model which revolves around selling enlargements. There have been times when a client wants hi-rez images on disk, and when that occurs, they will have to pay a pretty significant premium for it. And typically, we'll only make it available upon they purchasing enlargements. Your customer also needs to know that they may not be able to get those images printed from some print service houses without a release from you, the photographer. There are some legality issues concerning that, but there are plenty of ways around that, and may not stop them from getting prints made, however.

[elkidogz]

Originally Posted by autofocus

This is solely up to you. As for us (mine, and my wife's business) and with very few exceptions, we will turn down clients who request only this. I simply feel it is inconsistent with our business model which revolves around selling enlargements. There have been times when a client wants hi-rez images on disk, and when that occurs, they will have to pay a pretty significant premium for it. And typically, we'll only make it available upon they purchasing enlargements. Your customer also needs to know that they may not be able to get those images printed from some print service houses without a release from you, the photographer. There are some legality issues concerning that, but there are plenty of ways around that, and may not stop them from getting prints made, however.

Yes put it on, Charge them for every photo on the disc. Not just a sitting fee. You aren't just selling your name, your selling your abilities to clean up and take photo's.

[Gigi1]

Thanks everyone! That's pretty much what I had thought. I just don't feel comfortable giving over the pictures without leaving any credit towards me especially since I don't just "shoot and burn", I double check each picture before it goes anywhere.

I told the clients that if they print by me, I'll print it without the watermark, but to not give at all, especially on a CD which means it is so much easier for the pictures to get everywherem I really didn't want to.

I just wanted to make sure I wasn't wrong about that, so thanks!

[danbaileyphoto]

Yes, legally, even if you give the client a disk, it's a violation of copyright law for them to print any of the images unless they have written permission from you.

I try not to release disks of images to clients who may print them elsewhere. If you do that, you're giving up a valuable potential income source. It might help to find out exactly the client has in mind with how they'll use the image on the disk. Asking questions is always the best way to gather all the info you need to make the right decision.