For
family photographers, watermarks present two opportunities. They, of
course, deter clients from using photos without paying for them. They
also can help promote a family photography business. If you're a
family photographer, here's how to make the most of your images'
watermarks.
Using Watermarks in Their Traditional Role
Watermarks
have long been used by photographers to deter customers (and others)
from using images illegally. In family photography, watermarks have
prevented clients from printing their own photos. If a family would
like another print without the photographer's advertisement on it,
they must pay for that print.
Selling
prints has been, of course, how family photographers have
traditionally made money. They've offered clients packages of prints,
and people who wanted additional prints paid for each extra one.
Thus, watermarks have provided vital protection for family
photographers' income.
Today,
many family photographers still use watermarks to deter people from
printing out photos without paying for them. As technology changes
how people use pictures, though, this role of the watermark is slowly
becoming less important. People don't often print out pictures
anymore, so there's less need to prevent them from doing so without
paying for an image.
Using Watermarks in a New Way
Instead
of printing out pictures, people now share them online with family
and friends. When they're emailing photographs or posting them on
social media, people often don't mind if the images are watermarked.
Thus, a watermark's ability to deter people from using pictures
without paying for them is less in today's world of sharing pictures
online.
Watermarks
aren't obsolete, though. Since clients frequently don't remove
watermarks before sharing them, family photographers can turn
watermarked photos into advertisements for their business. The people
clients share photos with are family and friends, some of whom may
live in the area and be potential clients themselves. If they like
your work, they might contact you to photograph their family--and
this is where the watermark comes in. A watermark can help ensure
anyone who sees your pictures knows you took them and has your
contact information.
Designing a Watermark for Both Purposes
A
well-designed watermark can still fulfill the watermarks traditional
role, while also helping a photographer advertise when their pictures
are shared. To create a watermark that does both of these things,
your watermark should:
. contain
your name (or your company's name)
. include
your email address and website
. have
a professional appearance that complements your photos
. be
large enough that clients can't crop it out of a picture to make a
print
. be
located in a corner so it doesn't detract from the people in the
picture
Additionally,
you're watermark shouldn't be the focal point of your pictures. It
ought to be visible enough that anyone who looks at your work sees
the watermark, but viewers' eyes should first be drawn to your
clients' families. Adjusting the color, font and opacity of a
watermark can help you find the right balance of visibility and
subtlety.
To
design a new watermark that will help protect your images and
advertise your business, try out Water Marquee. With Water Marquee,
family photographers can quickly and easily create fully customized
watermarks that work for them.