Dont worry about people stealing your images. Most of the time it catches up with them and other photographers will let you know when they run across them.
As other people have said, if a user can view your image then it has to have been downloaded to their computer, urgo they can save it. So it really depends on what your intent is as to the best method to prevent people using it.
Disabling right click and using CSS background hacks will do a great job of stopping Aunt Etthel downloading pictures of a wedding and printing them for free. It won't however stop a determined crook, for that a big watermark is best however that often can impinge upon your photos.
I prefer to leave mine on the whole unguarded. I might change that at some point but at the moment I'll use the law if I have any major problems.
I'm relatively new to the forum, but am intrigued by several things I see here. My attitudes can be classified as "old-school" to many. My web-site is more utilitarian in design and purpose. I'm having a tough time getting a handle on the entire 'blog' phenomenon. Respectfully, it seem like a modern day "Dear diary...here what photographs I made today..." But, rather than an introspective vehicle, it is used as promotion.
My question is, if you are going to put so many images on a site, then invite and promote people to view and comment...wouldn't it make sense that some of them are going to be lifted/taken, regardless of your precautions?
My point being, if you are going to use "new school" techniques, it would seem to make sense, they will come with "new school" costs. The costs being, whatever you post is available to somebody with the desire to take them.
I'm with Hoffer on this as well. My blog pictures are very small, so they're only good for facebook or myspace or those digital picture frames. I really don't mind people using my pictures as facebook pics because I get more press from it. And I could use all the extra press I could get. I can undestand why someone with better work and better marketing would be irritated by it, but I think that a simple watermark on each shot should dissuade some.
coffee-black wrote:
I'm relatively new to the forum, but am intrigued by several things I see here. My attitudes can be classified as "old-school" to many. My web-site is more utilitarian in design and purpose. I'm having a tough time getting a handle on the entire 'blog' phenomenon. Respectfully, it seem like a modern day "Dear diary...here what photographs I made today..." But, rather than an introspective vehicle, it is used as promotion.
No doubt that it's a diary for some people. There's lots of folks that put lots of personal stuff up there.
On the flip side though, mine has been great for me. The last 3 weddings I shot, about 75% of the bridesmaids have said that they check my blog almost every day for new stuff (found out about it because of their friend's engagement pics). I've booked a bunch more weddings because of that. When people have new stuff to look at, they come back. I doubt that anyone would check my regular website more than once or twice since it's the same stuff.
I'm relatively new to the forum, but am intrigued by several things I see here. My attitudes can be classified as "old-school" to many. My web-site is more utilitarian in design and purpose. I'm having a tough time getting a handle on the entire 'blog' phenomenon. Respectfully, it seem like a modern day "Dear diary...here what photographs I made today..." But, rather than an introspective vehicle, it is used as promotion.
My question is, if you are going to put so many images on a site, then invite and promote people to view and comment...wouldn't it make sense that some of them are going to be lifted/taken, regardless of your precautions?
My point being, if you are going to use "new school" techniques, it would seem to make sense, they will come with "new school" costs. The costs being, whatever you post is available to somebody with the desire to take them.
I can definitely see your perspective! Of course with new means of communication come new means of marketing. I see my blog as a chance for clients to get to know me. It also lets me post a few more pictures of each shoot than I may put on my website. People who view my blog see some of my best and even less-than-best shots so they won't be dissapointed when I shoot ther wedding. As a bride I enjoyed reading photography blogs more than I liked visiting websites. It was important for me to see what kinds of shots the photographers were getting on a regular basis, and it gave me a better idea about who the photographer was.
Of course, blogs are just one more way to link to your site and get you higher in the rankings.
Tony Hoffer wrote:
On the flip side though, mine has been great for me. The last 3 weddings I shot, about 75% of the bridesmaids have said that they check my blog almost every day for new stuff (found out about it because of their friend's engagement pics). I've booked a bunch more weddings because of that. When people have new stuff to look at, they come back. I doubt that anyone would check my regular website more than once or twice since it's the same stuff.
This was me. I checked blogs regularly -- hardly ever went back to websites.
I see both of your points and believe them to both be very valid. What is funny is the difference in our perspectives. No doubt, relative to our age and experience. Coming from both a sales manager and marketing director's positions, as well as having run my own photography business [now on my second], I see blogging as an impersonal marketing strategy and you both see it as being more personal.
I see blogging as a possible time trap which would prevent you from actually meeting people. But, would have to concede that one of the most difficult tasks in marketing weddings is getting in front of people. This sounds like it might be a good way. But, the question remains, if there wasn't a blog, would you not bother looking through the site of someone offering a service you needed? If you did, and liked what you saw on the site, would you not make a further inquiry? If so, would the blog simply delay your response to contact? I accept the benefits of a site for information, but the blog thing leaves some questions.
My current photography company is a bit diversified. I'm now wondering if blogging might be a good way of getting my current clients [within their respective aspects of my business] to get to know what else we do?
Sahid, pretty much what everyone else said. You can protect your images as best as possible, but the reality is, if it's on your blog/website, they can be nicked. I always embed my EXIF data in my images so if someone does take one, at least I can prove ownership (if they strip the EXIF, I still have the copy with it embedded).
I wouldn't worry about it too awful much. As was said before, if they are determined, they will get it.
My current photography company is a bit diversified. I'm now wondering if blogging might be a good way of getting my current clients [within their respective aspects of my business] to get to know what else we do?
Great stuff here today.
>rw
Blogging does a couple of things... it keeps fresh content up for potential and existing clients, helps your SEO in the search engines, and also helps give your clients (potential or existing) the warm fuzzy as they get to see your work on a day to day basis.
Per my stats, 85% of my visits go to my blog as well as my main site. For me, blogging is a way to have my clients get to know me and build confidence that I am someone they can work with. When compared to a static webpage thay you can't really see the changes on, the blog has a huge advantage.
Brian Mullins wrote:
Back on topic - Sahid, pretty much what everyone else said. You can protect your images as best as possible, but the reality is, if it's on your blog/website, they can be nicked. I always embed my EXIF data in my images so if someone does take one, at least I can prove ownership (if they strip the EXIF, I still have the copy with it embedded).
Embedding EXIF and IPTC data is one of the best things to do. If they strip it, it can go a long ways towards proving "willful" copyright infringement. Other factors aside, that boosts the penalty up to $30k-150k per image.
Brian Mullins wrote:
Blogging does a couple of things... it keeps fresh content up for potential and existing clients, helps your SEO in the search engines, and also helps give your clients (potential or existing) the warm fuzzy as they get to see your work on a day to day basis.
Per my stats, 85% of my visits go to my blog as well as my main site. For me, blogging is a way to have my clients get to know me and build confidence that I am someone they can work with. When compared to a static webpage thay you can't really see the changes on, the blog has a huge advantage. ...Show more →
Here's where I have the biggest issue. First, keeping thing current is easy. Simply change images on your site. I see no difference in the amount of time it takes to post an image to my site, than it would to post an image to a blog.
Second, I'm not certain if I am comfortable with relying on a website to create a "warm and fuzzy." I would much prefer to do this over a cup of coffee or phone call. To my original point, blogging seem like it would delay or remove the need for my prospective clients to every call me...until they've made their decision to use my services.
It would seem natural, that those who blog, get a majority of their clients from blogs. This is because they have removed themselves from the sales process and are left with only those who have already made their decision. This is probably not a bad thing provided your audience is large enough. But, what about all those prospects who made their decision without ever talking to you?
It has always been my belief to provide enough imagery to create interest and to generate a positive action [such as calling or contacting me]. If I continue to feed them images, why would they call?
Not bashing here, just asking.
To me, blogging is like a computer dating service. I've always found much more success with face to face meetings.
I don't take it as bashing at all. Let me address a couple of things...
When you update your site, how does a viewer know what's been updated? I could changes my images every two weeks but there is no easy way for a client to see what's been updated.
A blog should help your sales process, not replace it. I always meet my clients before signing (whenever possible) and blogging (both my images and text) gives them an "immediate" sense of who I am, what I've been up to recently and a unique insight into my personality. When we do sit down, they already know a good bit about who I am.
Since I started making my blog a little more personal, I have gotten 3 weddings booked where meeting the client was impractical (they are in another state). So between a phone call and my blog posts, we've made close to the same connection I make when sitting down face to face with a client.
I think you're looking at a blog replacing things, which shouldn't be the case. It's just an enhancement that should compliment your website, portfolio, and sales techniques.
It takes me about 10 minutes twice a week to blog about something. I know time is tight, but it's 20 minutes well spent.
Good, strong post Brian. I appreciate the perspective. It is certainly something which I am giving more and more time in considering. I can see the benefits as well as some of the drawbacks [even if they are a result of my perspective]. I guess, like all things, it is what you put into it and how you MAKE it work.
These days brides shopping for a wedding photographer often do so online first. The blog is a great way to transmit some of your personality and selling technique as well as distinguishing yourself from all the others.
One other great thing about the blog is that it allows previous clients to leave comments. Never underestimate the selling power of somebody else (even unknown to the potential client) lambasting about how good you are and how great the day was.
Oh, and to tie the two worlds together, I'm a lot closer to booking a Hawaii wedding because an FMer and a former bride have commented on someone's engagement pics saying that they're crazy not to take me. Thanks FM!!!!
You put things on your blog because you want them to be seen. All and any technical restrictions on the copying of the image are moot if the end user can see it on the screen.
So, let people have it. But make sure your name/logo is on it. Big enough to be seen, small enough to be tolerated. Then, it be shared. Whenever I see one of my images on Facebook for example, I make it a point to highlight that fact. Profile pics are the best.
One reason I favor this approach is technical - I upload all my images to my smugmug site and reference those in my blog or forum postings. Smugmug watermarks and sharpens all the multiple display copies to my liking and I choose what max size I want available for each gallery.
