Photo Branding

[Serenity]

I mah have gotten the wrong forum but perhaps I didn't....I sometimes see photos that have the photographer signature down at the bottom right hand corner, would this be recommended for wedding photos that you print off for your customer? Or do you mainly do it just for your website?

I just want to know which way to lean so I do the best possible job for my clients. I guess some like it and say may not as far as clients go.

[Paulo]

Jalissa,
Most of the time, I believe the signatures/logos on images posted on the web are extra steps photographers take to protect their images from theft. However, depending on the size & placement of the signature/logo and the skill of the person attempting to steal the image(s), some people still find ways around it.

For clients, I chose to leave the images I provide them free and clear of any branding. And I've seen similar practices from other photogs. But there's nothing set in stone that everyone has to do it this way.

[abril1127]

I am still a newbie but what I think is you brand yourself and it goes on everything, then soon enough your like Tony the Tiger, they see your brand and know it's you. They start seeing pictures all around town with your logo and think man this lady's great! This is the Lady I have to have. They go to their phone book and find your logo again and book ya!
I think people will remember logo type Names much more than your name itself.

[Paulo]

Good point. And great, solid work associated with branding certainly helps entice potential clients (ex. Tri-Coast, Solaris Studios, Collins Metu, David Jay...), . But for wedding clients that have already booked and paid for services, I chose to provide them clean images, free of logos. It's what I expected when I paid for my wedding album & prints and I extend the same treatment to my clients. I feel my 'branding' along with a copyright statement on the inside or back cover of an album or stamped on the back of prints is enough and a cleaner presentation. A 50 page album can include anywhere from 100-150 images. To have a logo stamped on each image of every page would be distracting to me.

Now if it's individual sample materials/prints being handed out to potential clients or displayed on the web, logo stamps would be expected.

[abril1127]

I could definitely see that. I think putting on the inside cover is a great idea. Do the printers do that for you or do you have a nice stamp?

[Paulo]

Depending on where you get your albums printed, you can often have them include your logo and copyright notice free or for a small additional charge. I've seen some photogs order stickers with their information and they simply place it on the album themselves.