How to Protect Your Photos With A Watermark

I’ve always disliked watermarks.  When I am asked to provide a portfolio review and see watermarks on the picture, I’m unable to even concentrate on the photo because I’m so distracted with the watermark.

However, about a year ago, I started watermarking my photos because I found a way to do it unobtrusively by using my signature on the photo.  After all, when you walk into an art gallery there are signatures on the photos, so why not recreate that same branding on your digital photos?In this tutorial, I want to explain why watermarking your photos is important EVEN IF the watermark could easily be cloned or cropped out.  Also, I’ll show you step-by-step how to watermark your photos in Photoshop or Lightroom.

Why watermark photos if they are so easily removed?

Disclaimer: While I did go to law school, I’m not your lawyer.  The information presented here is my understanding of the law as I have applied it to my business.  Seek competent and licensed legal advice from an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction to apply the law to your circumstances.
There are three compelling reasons to watermark your photos: (1) It is an obvious visual cue to a potential infringer that the photographer wants to protect her rights, (2) It enables those who see your work to find you to license it, and (3) If the watermark is removed, the photographer may receive additional damages in the case of an infringement.In the U.S. Copyright Law, under section 1202, copyright holders are granted up to $25,000 in damages if an infringement occurs where the wrongful party removed the watermark.  This money is in addition to damages for the infringement, and it provides for attorneys fees, and it can be collected even where the photographer did not register her images.

How do you watermark your photos using Photoshop?

Step One: Create a black document in Photoshop that is 500px wide and 300 in height.  Resolution 150, transparent background.

Step Two: Get a paint brush with black paint and draw your signature on the canvas.

Step Three: Go to edit >define brush preset

Step Four: When you want to watermark an image, simply go to your brush tool and find the brush logo you just created, and stamp it on the picture.  

How do you watermark your photos using Lightroom?

Watermarking photos in Lightroom is even faster than using Photoshop.  If you’re receiving this post via email, you can see a video tutorial on how to add a watermark in Lightroom here.

Step One: Create your watermark logo in Photoshop or other program (see directions above)

Step Two: Highlight the photo you want to apply the logo to and go to File > Export

Step Three: Go to the bottom of the export dialogue to watermarking and click edit watermarks

Step Four: Browse to the graphic watermark you want to use and position the graphic on the photo.  Save this watermark.

Step Five: Whenever you want to watermark a photo, Lightroom will automatically watermark it with the graphic you chose.  If you don’t want to watermark a particular image, simply uncheck the watermark box as you export.  Simple!