Protecting My Work

If you're a long time follower of my blog, then you may have noticed that I can't make up my mind about watermarking my images. I go from, "Watermarks hinder what I want the final product to look like", to "I don't want anyone claiming these images as their own. I've got to protect them". It's a struggle between artistic vision and a smart business decision.

Last week, I stumbled upon yet another photographer whose images were lifted from her Facebook fan page and were used in someone else's portfolio...claiming that photographers work as their own. You with me? Basically, someone took credit for this photographers work. Add this to the fact that Facebook isn't the most trustworthy spot to publish unprotected images, or for that matter, protected images. People crop out watermarks all the time. So, I've made a definitive decision.

I've (not so slowly) lifted the majority of my images off of Facebook. Again, the intention is not to seem abrupt, but to protect my work and your families pictures. I'm sure you wouldn't be crazy about seeing someone using your wedding day or newborn baby to further their business, claiming it has their own. It's an ongoing process, but I don't think I'll be fighting the temptation to NOT watermark anymore.