I keep seeing people posting my photos on their facebook pages without giving me any credit at all… and when I confront them about it they say they didn’t know it was mine and they are finding them on tumblr and other sites that I don’t even use…
I’m flattered that my pictures are getting around, but I put so much work into them and I’m getting no credit.
So my question is, should I put watermarks on all of my photos.. or should I just face the reality that everything I post online is up for grabs? Or do you have any other suggestions?
I’m from the camp that believes in watermarks. Nothing intrusive, just including your blog url (or a logo that includes your url) so that when the inevitable happens and your work is shared without appropriate credit there’s still some way for people to know the work is yours and where to find you.
I vote for the watermark as well. But if you’re uncomfortable with what they’re doing with your pics, ask them to remove them from their profile/blog…
Definitely watermark! That’s what is driving me crazy about Pinterest, because I see all these wonderful things and can’t find where they’re from. Even when it’s tagged, like katosu’s was in my other post, people will still remove it, because people suck. The way bowsandcurtseys.com does it is cool, because it marks it without covering over the whole look, although I guess that could still be blurred out…
Good luck!
So these watermarks are probably way too big then?
It’s your choice, personally I don’t see anything wrong with the size of them, but I do see something wrong with what it is. You need it to be something that people can type into a search engine/url bar and actually find your site/blog, and I don’t get that with “Brittany Couture”.
ohh yeah you’re right. do you think my facebook page would be sufficient? That’s what I use most often.. I don’t have a blog or site yet
If that’s what you want to use then of course, but if you want to start a blog sometime in the future then maybe you should consider setting up the Blogger account now and simply leave a single post on there that directs people to the different places you’re currently active with your makeup. This way when you do finally start your blog you’ll have already built up that url.
Thanks for all of your advice! 
And now for a different point of view.
I personally don’t believe in watermarking… and I’m someone who used to watermark her photos. (I’m into photography as a hobby.)
One, I think a watermark can distract from the photo. Two, if you place it like you have — or even if you post it in a corner — someone with Photoshop can simply crop it out, reupload it, and pass it off as their own. (Or, if you put it in the middle of the image, someone who is very skilled can find a way to make it disappear completely before passing it off as their own.) Simply put, IMO, watermarking is ultimately not as effective as some say it is.
A few years ago, I decided to license my photos via Creative Commons (best part: it costs absolutely nothing, and you can dictate how you want your work shared). While it may not deter someone from claiming your looks as their own, it will give people clearance to share your work with others providing they meet your terms.
Truth is, the only surefire way to make sure your work isn’t stolen is not to post it online.
I actually agree with Shelly. A watermark can be distracting, or detract, from the photo. It absolutely can be cropped or edited out of the image, and unless you want to put the watermark in a place which seriously detracts from the image this kind of thing isn’t going to be too difficult to do. I completely agree that watermarking images is in absolutely no way a deterrent of image theft, and that the only way to ensure your work isn’t stolen is not to post it online.
I only support the use of watermarking in this kind of situation because I think that in the situation here it’s not necessarily about people wishing to steal work, but more than they are either too lazy or lack the knowledge to give proper credit. So, having a watermark in this regard is more about making sure that in this kind of situation when your work is shared people will be able to find you, even without proper credit given.
I think that it’s extremely unfortunate that any measure need be taken, or considered. It’s not as if it’s that difficult to include a link back.
I agree with the watermarks- it’s harder for people to steal them BTW, your work is amazing- love your avatar pic!
Thanks Marlena!
I think I’ll just add something subtle to my photos. I’m not worried about people stealing them and claiming them as their own, I just want everyone to know that it’s my work. Thanks for all of the advice <3
I just wanted to say (I haven’t been around for a long time on the forum area) that your pictures, your work is amazing!!!! I’m a fan 
fortheartofit 2 months, 2 weeks ago.
