What’s the big deal about watermarks?

Watermarking professional photographs has become a very controversial topic

Some say it ruins the photograph, it is very distracting and becomes the first thing the viewer sees. On the other hand, many photographers say, it protects their work and it is an avenue of marketing. All of the above are true so we, as photographers, have to weigh these advantages and disadvantages.

Cheetah Design Studio has chosen to watermark our photographs on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms.

Our reasoning is multi dimensional. First of all, we do use our photographs as a marketing tool. We all know the network of opportunity provided by Facebook. Facebook is a perfect example of six degrees of separation. It is amazing to see who knows whom, and that person is a friend with someone else, etc. It is more far reaching than so many other forms of advertising.

Second, It is a signature of our work. A painter will sign his or her painting and no one ever complains. As a matter of fact, it is expected. This being said, of course we never will watermark a client’s print that is purchased from us. Whether it is a family portrait or a landscape. Prints are not watermarked. Watermarking is on the web and for advertising purposes.

Third, we watermark to discourage theft. Watermarking certainly doesn’t completely end photography theft. Hopefully it helps. We make a living as photographers. We absolutely love our work and we love our clients and want to keep serving them for many years. I have to say, we do have the best clients. So, when I say this, it does not necessarily pertain to us. There are individuals out there that take an image off the Internet to print without the photographer’s permission. We encourage people to share our images online, however, if you would like a print, please purchase it from us. Just think of a photograph as a product. You wouldn’t think of taking a product from a store and not paying for it.

With all that being said, we don’t want to take away from our images so our watermarks are discrete and as unobtrusive as possible. We just would like you to know who took the image. Keep enjoying our photography and all the other photographers out there.