I’ve had several questions about MySpace recently, specifically, whether or not it’s okay to put pictures I’ve taken on your MySpace pages. The short answer is “sure!”, but in order to protect my work, I do require that all images be watermarked with my information. There are several reasons why. Unfortunately, there are some “photographers” out there who steal images from other photographers and try to pass them off as their own, and posting them on MySpace unprotected gives them that many more opportunities to do so. I’m not even going to mention the other places where pictures can end up (let’s just say, I doubt you want to see your own face on any of those sites). I am happy to provide you with watermarked images at no charge, just ask! You can also use the sneak peek images that I post from your session on my blog.
I am very lucky to have great clients who look out for me, and have brought it to my attention that there are scanned, unwatermarked images of mine on people’s MySpace pages. If you want to get technical about it, if you have scanned any pictures you purchased from me, you have violated my copyright by reproducing my work without my permission, not to mention scanning can produce less than flattering results. Am I going to have a cow about you posting a picture on MySpace? If you know me, then you know that’s not really my style. I understand wanting to share your pictures with your friends! All I ask is that:
1. If you have already posted unwatermarked images, give me credit in the description of the images. If you love your pictures, say so! Tell everyone Chanterelle Photography is awesome!
2. Do not post any more unwatermarked images! Just because you have done it once doesn’t mean it’s okay to do it again, and if you haven’t done it, this doesn’t mean it’s okay to do it once, lol!
Okay, off my soapbox now! If you want to check out the Chanterelle Photography MySpace page, click here. You never know, you might be featured there!
