Should I Watermark My Images?

This image was edited with the Illuminate Lightroom Preset Collection

Should You Watermark Photos?

Who would think such a simple question could be such a hot topic among photographers?  And they all seem to have differing opinions on this topic.  However, for this post, I will try to be as unbiased as possible and illustrate all the pros and cons of watermarking photos.

Reasons to Watermark

Photographers who share their images online and choose to use a watermark usually do so for four main reasons:

1. They do not want their clients printing their own photos – as part of their packaging may include prints.

2. They do not want their clients to print low-resolution images downloaded from the internet because they want to give their clients the best possible prints from a  PROFESSIONAL PRINTING SERVICE.

3. They take pride in their hard work and do not want their images reproduced or stolen and posted on other websites without their consent.

4. They feel that a watermark will allow viewers to easily find and quickly identify their photos and brand as their images get shared around the web.  This can be highly beneficial for marketing purposes.

I’m sure there are many other reasons why photographers choose to watermark their online images, but these four seem to be the most common – and they are entirely valid!

Reasons Against Watermarking

Of course, there is always a flip side to every situation.  Photographers who choose NOT to watermark their images usually argue the following points:

1. “Watermarks are an eyesore and can weaken the “composition of your photo.”  I’ve heard this one a few (read: several hundred) times.

2. If someone really wants to steal your photo, they will take it regardless of your watermark.  Most watermarks can be removed quite easily these days using software and apps.  Watermarks can also be cropped out if they are near the edge of your image.

3. If people steal your photos, it’s an easy lawsuit.  But remember that it could also be hard to collect on any judgment.

Points to Consider about Watermarking

• Let’s say you are in favor of watermarking your images.  If someone really wants to remove your watermark, they can, unless it covers most of the image, especially the center.  It’s fairly easy to remove a watermark, even with free software!  So, if you are concerned about people posting your images on other sites (and sometimes, they can go so far as to post your photo as their own (that’s never a good feeling!), know that you may have to use a very large watermark in order to deter them.
• If you are concerned that your clients will take the images from your Facebook business page and try to print them on their own, you could avoid using a watermark by having a contractual agreement with your client that states that their Facebook images are strictly for Facebook and social networking sites – not to be printed or edited by them under any circumstances.
• Nine times out of ten, legitimate businesses and corporations will not steal your images.  They will either contact you directly for licensing or purchase images from stock agencies such as Getty, Shutterstock, or Stocksy.  More often than not, if your images are shared online by someone other than yourself, it will be from someone who likes your photo and wants to share it on their Tumblr or Pinterest page.  And most of the time, people will link to your original image.
• If you are concerned/curious about how your images are being used online, Google has a handy feature, reverse image search, where you can upload your image into the Google search and find out if it is being used online.  When you are on the Google Images page, click on the camera icon to upload your image.
• If, at the end of the day, you only feel comfortable sharing your images online if they have a watermark, it is important to create one that fits with your style of photography and brand.  Make your watermark fun yet subtle, as most people will notice the watermark before they notice the rest of the photo.
• Gayle Vehar wrote a great tutorial on How to Create and Add Watermarks in Lightroom Classic, if you want a great step-by-step guide to follow.
• If you use Lightroom Mobile, check out How to Add a Watermark in Lightroom Mobile.
• And if you’re a Photoshop user, go here: How to Create and Add a Watermark in Photoshop.

Conclusion

So, should you use a watermark on your images?  There is no right or wrong answer. 

Many famous photographers use watermarks, and many do not.  Hopefully, this post will help you make a more informed decision on what works best for you!

Do you have any questions or opinions you would like to share about Watermarking Images?  Just leave us a comment below – we would LOVE to hear from you.  And PLEASE SHARE this post using the social sharing buttons (we really appreciate it)!