General questions about Watermark etiquette

[lindayoshi]

I notice when some of my facebook friends post pictures they've had taken for a wedding or new baby, it has the photographers watermark. This seems like a great marketting tool. But I'm sure when they buy the prints or receive the digital copies, the watermark is not there for their personal use. So, my question is, do photographers give their clients a select number of digital copies with the watermark for them to share? Perhaps as a "sneak peak" to their photo shoot before their session is available? Is it part of an agreement with the clients to post some with the watermark? I use SmugMug as my hosting site, so when a client downloads a photo, the watermark is taken off, but of course I would love for them to post my photos with the watermark to further advertise my business. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Niresangwa]

I think the watermark, or more accurately, brand logo should be present on any work that goes online. For me it's more of a promotion thing, not particularly about protection.

My clients receive two sets of the portfolio, one is a small-sized set with a small border and logo, the other a higher-res set without the border and logo. They're given explicit instructions not to post the hi-res..

Again, for me it's not about image protection.

[OsmosisStudios]

Depends on the deliverables the client gets.

For prints: no watermark, ever.
For digital files: depends on usage and licensing.

[lindayoshi]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

I think the watermark, or more accurately, brand logo should be present on any work that goes online. For me it's more of a promotion thing, not particularly about protection.

My clients receive two sets of the portfolio, one is a small-sized set with a small border and logo, the other a higher-res set without the border and logo. They're given explicit instructions not to post the hi-res..

Again, for me it's not about image protection.

Thank you for your response! I didn't think of providing two sets. That is a good idea. Do your clients ever give you grief about your instructions to only post those with your logo or do they happily accept that rule?

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by lindayoshi

Thank you for your response! I didn't think of providing two sets. That is a good idea. Do your clients ever give you grief about your instructions to only post those with your logo or do they happily accept that rule?

No, no grief. Right from the outset in discussions with clients I'm quite clear that they have little to no input in the process as a whole. They get all of the information up front, and are warned that they're not buying images they're buying me, and are subject to my decisions and choices.

Though it perhaps seems arrogant written like that, it's really in the delivery and the language and examples I give them. From what i've seen and experienced, when clients deviate from how we as photographers want things handled, it's down to ignorance, not wanton neglect. If things are laid out intially for them, they truly get it.

Inadvertently it roots out the Client-zillas too, and actually they seem to like not having to make decisions. That's not to say I don't take their input seriously when discussing the assignment or tweaks after it's delivered, but the onus is always upon me, not them.

As far as creating 2 sets, using LR or PS it's a small matter to do this.

[funcrunch]

I personally never include watermarks for paid images. I'm happy for clients to give me credit - and happier still for them to get me referrals - but I don't want to insist that they use my watermark if they paid for the image.

[Jim Poor]

I put my logo on all my prints. It's tastefully done.

[AnonymousKiwi1]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

I put my logo on all my prints. It's tastefully done.

"It's all in the best possible taste!" - Kenny Everett

[candleman]

Originally Posted by lindayoshi

Thank you for your response! I didn't think of providing two sets. That is a good idea. Do your clients ever give you grief about your instructions to only post those with your logo or do they happily accept that rule?

I provide two sets...

Despite explining it, and it being in the contract, I have still found some people dont "get it" (or simply don't care) and post the unwatewrmarked stuff, or crop the watermark out.

the majority of the time people listen and don't cause a problem.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by AnonymousKiwi1

"It's all in the best possible taste!" - Kenny Everett

Damn, that's a blast from the past...