Why You Shouldn’t Watermark Your Images
written by PAUL WEAVER
As a freelance photographer or videographer working with brands, it's important to consider whether watermarking your photos is truly beneficial.
While watermarking was once a popular practice, it has become outdated and can take away from the images you share with your clients.
Here are a few reasons why you might want to avoid watermarking your images:
1. Distraction from the subject: Watermarks, especially when placed prominently, can distract viewers from the main subject of your photo or video. Instead of focusing on the content itself, their attention may be drawn to the watermark, diminishing the impact of your work.
2. Negative impact on aesthetics: Watermarks can disrupt the visual appeal of your images. They often appear as intrusive elements that disrupt the composition and overall aesthetic of the photo or video. By removing watermarks, you allow your clients to fully appreciate the beauty and artistry of your work.
3. Professionalism and trust: Watermarks can sometimes give the impression that you lack trust in your clients. By watermarking your images, you may unintentionally convey a sense of suspicion or doubt. Building trust is crucial in any professional relationship, and removing watermarks can help foster a stronger sense of trust between you and your clients.
If you are thinking about using watermarks to prevent others from stealing your work when sharing a gallery, I suggest disabling the download feature and informing the person about your selection process or image usage. Here are some alternatives to safeguard:
Pixiest and PicTime have a feature where you can disable download on images, protect the gallery of content with a password, and/or require an email to be used to access the gallery.
Include the following statement to your client contracts: "By signing this contract, client acknowledges that the copyright of the content belongs to [Your Name/Organization]. Any unauthorized use, alteration, or reproduction of the images may result in legal liability."
These alternatives can ensure that nothing gets in the way of your stunning images resulting in more business for you.
This is often an approach that many freelancers are fearful of. Over years and years of omitting watermarks, I’ve never had an issue. You have all the rights to your works until you license them, so you always have the law on your side.
