Lisa Hodnet Photography » denver kids photographer

Why are professional photographs watermarked?

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:38:20 +0000

I know that you see lovely images here and on other photographers website and wonder – WHY is that UGLY watermark there?? You know, like in this photo -

Why Are Professional Photographs Watermarked?
by Cristy Nielsen & Yolanda Rowe

As parents, we do everything we can to protect our children. We teach them to look both ways before crossing the street and many other ways to be safe. Photographers have the same responsibility to their work. Each photograph is important–not just because they are our livelihood but because they are portraits of special people: our clients. To protect our work and our clients, we watermark every image that appears online. We hope to discourage unethical people who steal from photographers by copying and using images for their purposes without authorization or compensating the copyright owner and subjects.

For example, let’s say your photographer posts preview images on a social networking site such as Facebook or Myspace. These photos are intended to show the client a preview of what their session images will look like. If they are not watermarked they cannot be identified back to the photographer who created the image and they could be stolen by a third party and used without permission. This has happened on numerous occasions by companies who will use photographs for their marketing campaigns and then photographers or their clients have found their images and photos on the sides of buses, on billboards, etc. Imagine finding a photo of you or your child on a flyer or website for some random company when you didn’t give permission for it to be used in that way and you will begin to understand why photographers watermark to protect their work.

Federal law is very clear on the copyright of images. The creator of the image (the photographer) is the owner of those rights. A client pays the photographer to take those images, but it does not give them ownership (rights) to what is created. Even if the client purchases a file or print it does not give the client copyright to the image. They are given a license to do certain things. This is called a Usage License and it is illegal to scan or copy it and use it in any way other than which it was intended: displaying the print itself. Even purchasing prints does not give the client copyright to the image and it is illegal to alter, scan, or copy it and use it in a way other than its intent. Copyright is held by the image creator for 70 years by law and infringement is punishable by up to $150,000 in fines PER image.

While it may seem like no big deal to make additional copies of an image, or crop out watermarks in web versions of photos, truly it is a big deal. A photographer works very hard on their images, and this is their livelihood, source of income and how they feed their family. When you copy and scan images you are taking part of the income that they depend on to stay in business and serve their clients in the first place. Watermarking is a necessary evil to protect photographers, to protect their work and their job security. As Yolanda says “Copyright is like your vehicle. You can give someone the keys to drive it (granting permission to a client) but it doesn’t make them the owner of the vehicle.”

For more information on copyright, please visit Federal Copyright.

So, as you can see that is why we photographers copyright our images. It isn’t because we are mean or don’t like you. It’s because we run a business and a part of our business is making sure that our clients are protected and that we are still in business in the coming years to photograph your family as they grow.

[Lisa Hodnet Photography] Monthly Snapshot – Holiday Mini Sessions

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:07:27 +0000

Holiday Mini Sessions…

I am just sending out a little mini-newsletter this month as it is really just information on Holiday Mini Sessions and the annual Santa photos – oh and my Holiday Schedule.

Holiday Schedule

Holiday Mini Sessions - Sept 1 though October 31st. After October 31st, regular session fees apply.

Holiday Portrait Sessions - In order to receive your photos before Christmas, you must have had your session photographed prior to November 14th. Any sessions after November 14th are not guaranteed to be delivered by or before Christmas.

Vacation - Lisa Hodnet Photography will be on vacation the following days this winter -

November 21st – 30th and December 5th 14th.

Mini Sessions

Mini Sessions will take place on Sundays and Mondays during the months of September and October only.

Initially Pricing went out and I have decided I didn’t like what was included. I wanted everyone to have a wall portrait included with their package purchase. Therefore the packages for the Holiday Mini Sessions have been modified – IN YOUR FAVOR. If you pre-purchase a package (pay at the time of booking) you will pay no sitting fee .

Santa’s Helper | $295

20 minute session[1] file for gift print reproduction

[1] 11×14 wall print
24 custom designed fold over holiday cards OR 30 photo cards
Collection pricing for any print purchases

Chic Holiday | $495
30 minute session
At least 15 proofs shown
all digital files on a CD
[1] 16×20 wall print
48 custom designed holiday cards – fold over cards (may substitute 75 photo cards)
15% off any additional purchases (cards, gift prints, etc.)

If neither of those packages meets your needs, you can still book a mini-session. The following sitting fees apply:

On Location | $50

Studio | $75

* Digital Files will be available for purchase

* Collection pricing applies for all purchases

How to book a mini -

Please call me at 303.349.3844 or send me an EMAIL to book your session.

Santa is coming!!!

Last year Santa came to visit the studio – and we had a BLAST!!! This year we will be doing similar event – you can come and have cookies and milk with Santa and have your photo taken. The date for the Santa sessions will be on Sunday, November 15th. Last year, the day booked up fast. These are 20 minute appointments with Santa. At the time of booking you will need to pay $35 that will be for the sitting and one 5×7. Additional purchases may be made after the event.

For those of you who have children who might think Santa is scary, he is VERY patient. Don’t worry – if your child is shy, Santa is VERY good at wiggling his way into their hearts! We do our best to get you proofs of your child(ren) alone and with Santa.

If you are interested, please call the studio at 303.349.3844 ASAP. We are already beginning to book Santa sessions.

That’s all for now – I look forward to seeing all of you this fall for photos!

Lisa

303.349.3844

website | email address | facebook | blog

Additional Information:

Family For Life

I have come to realize that photographing your family is something that is very special to me. Many of my clients and I become friends and essentially become part of my family.

For those of you whom I see multiple times per year, I now have a program that is tailored to you specifically. It’s called our Family for Life Plan. There is a one time fee of $295 to join this program, and by joining you receive:

1st session free

ALL future sessions 1/2 off

15% off all prints

10% off albums and canvases

First priority on special offers

Free studio birthday session for EACH child under 10

…and you receive a very cool gift, but the gift is a secret.

This is an amazing program with a very significant savings for you and your family.

Call the studio today at 303.349.3844 to sign up.

Earn a FREE Sitting

Don’t need/want a regular session? Just need a few photographs?

Host a day at the studio for your friends and family!

Gather your pals and host a day of mini sessions at the studio! While you’re at it, get your own session for FREE (see below)

The basic info is below. Call or email to sign up to be a host!

Mini Session – $75 per family

Includes:

Minimum of 8 fully retouched images shown

up to 25 minutes in studio

(1) outfit per subject/family

(1) backdrop per family

(2) subjects per family/group

Hostess Information:

Host/Hostess will book and schedule other families.

Minimum of 3 families, Maximum of 9 families

Book at least 4 families (including your own family) and get your session for $50!

Book 7 or more families and your session is completely FREE!

Book all 9 sessions and also receive a complimentary 11×14 from your session

All sessions must be booked on the same day

(time slots and additional information will be given to the hostess upon sign up)

For more information or to book a day at the studio, please contact Lisa at 303.349.3844

Sneak Peek – baby L

admin — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 03:30:06 +0000

wouldn’t you love to have his hair? I am working on the rest of them, i will hopefully have a few up of all the kids tomorrow!