Are you the kind of person that absolutely needs to put a watermark on all of your photos?
Are you afraid of people stealing your images?
Or do you kind of care, but kind of not care when it comes to protecting your work online.
Personally, I fall into the second camp. Not because my work isn’t priceless to me and my clients, but honestly, if people want steal my work and claim that’s it’s their work and go out and get hired because of it and try to replicate my style- they will be found out pretty quickly.
Also, most basic corner watermarks can be taken off in a matter of minutes using photoshop- so why bother.
But my most important reason for not caring about a watermark- is simply the time that it take to individually place my watermark on all of my photos before giving them to clients or putting them on social media.
I take over 100,000 photos per year and get hired for more than 100 events a year, so I don’t have time to create separate posts for each kind of event and put my watermark on every one.
But to each his or her own!
Now, if you are dead set on putting a watermark on your photo, make sure that it doesn’t look lame. Hire a graphic designer that really understands your needs for something professional
Also, make sure that you can get a transparent background in high resolution in white and black and one in color so that no matter the watermark- you can be sure on every kind of image it will show up!
Already have lightroom classic? Adobe has a plan for only 9.99 for photographers that you can get lightroom and photoshop ( the price of two coffees a month!) See my video below how to add a watermark in lightroom classic.
Don’t have photoshop or lightroom yet? You can edit your photos using snapseed for free (probably my favorite app for editing!)
Then take that photo into over for adding fonts or watermarks for free. You can pay for the full version of the app, but I can do A LOT for the free. See my video here to how to add a watermark using the OVER app.
PROS OF WATERMARKING
Customers can recognize your brand and contact you.
You are less likely to get your photos stolen online (it’s not a guarantee)
You make look more professional with a GOOD watermark
Your clients will only be allowed to use your watermarked photos online and in print.
CONS OF WATERMARKING
Takes a lot of time to watermarking and keep up watermarking through all the photos and albums that you create overtime.
You may or may not look professional with a watermark (personally, I think watermarks are distracting)
Your customers will have watermarks on their photos when they are trying to print them.
So what camp are you? WATERMARK ALL THE WAY! Or NAH! DON’T BOTHER! I would love to hear your feedback on what you all do with your photos
Christal Marshall is the owner of Virginia Photos and Films, Studio Marshall Arts, Marshall Arts Media Group and Virginia Beach Photobooth Company.
She lives, breathes and does media and marketing pretty much 24-7 for over 14 local business through social media management, website design, photo, video or media coverage or graphic design.
She is a homeschool mom of three, cat lover, sushi eater and poke fan!
She started her business in 2011 with nothing but a $400 camera from Amazon, now she is has been published in over 60 different blogs and websites for her media work and rank top Wedding Photographer in Virginia Beach.