Watermarking is More Than Just Theft Protection

In digital photography, protecting your hard work is important. Many companies and artists turn to watermarking as a means of theft prevention. Though this is effective for stopping just anyone from using your images, there is more a watermark can be used for than just theft protection. Here are 5 other ways you can utilize watermarking.

Brand Recognition:
If you are serious about your work, as most artists are, then you want to be recognized for it. When you run an image search you will see Photobucket watermarked images, images from Dreamstime, and even pictures from iStockphoto.com. This is a way of creating brand recognition while protecting the images on their sites.

If you plan to watermark your images before sharing them with the world, take the time to consider the mark itself. Make it an opportunity to brand yourself, your company, and your portfolio. This is especially helpful if you are planning to sell your images through your site as it creates an interest in that particular photo without the watermark.

Choose a Unique Watermark:
If you have already established your brand or identity for your photography, then chances are you have chosen a logo. If you have, that logo should be watermarked on your images to increase your advertising. Those who see that watermark will associate it with your portfolio and come to you for more images.

If you have yet to choose a logo, take the time to choose a unique representation of your work. Make it appealing, relevant, and personal. You should be as proud of your logo as you are of the work you do. Once created, this logo will be the face of your online and business presence.

Archiving:
Another use for watermarks is for archiving. Many companies create several logos that are utilized by different parts of the company, different products, or even different times of the year. If you are a nature photographer, you may have several watermarks for each season. This is a great way to show which images belong to which collection.

Show off your Other Talents:
If you are a photographer with the additional flair of digital art creation, creating your own watermarks can be an added talent to show off. It is a great way to get out from behind the lens and promote your other talents with a mouse. Create exciting, unique, and innovative watermarks that can tell a story on top of the image in addition to the image itself.

Watermarking Descriptions:
A picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes you want to say 1002 words. Watermarking can be used for those 2 other words. Watermark the location a photo was taken, a blurb of personal remembrance to the time, or even the occasion it was taken on. This will give your followers the added benefit of being where you were when you were there and creating a personal connection to the image.

Watermarking is a great way to deter image theft, however, if you are creative, marketing minded, and open to exploring new ideas, watermarking can be so much more. Take the time to consider your watermarks and what they are saying about you. Let your creativity flow and stop useless one purposed watermarking.