just venting. photography branding anyone?

just had a little chat with friend to whom i did photo shoot of one his family members baptism.
two months after having the pictures and book delivered he comes to me saying that hes wife did not like the branding i put on the pictures saying that she will not put them up on her house to advertise my company.
and what porpuse where the pictures for to advertise my name or display the people on them, he said that JCpenney does not put their name on the pictures,
so he's asking for copies without my name . i have no contract signed since he's a friend i figured he would be the last one to complaint. ( my mistake ) lesson learned.
from now on i will tell everyone to sign contracts and that the pictures will wear my name on them . no exception or they can walk.

I think it is unprofessional to have your logo/name on the front of the prints no matter how small or unobtrusive it may seem. I wouldn't hang it in my house either!

hummm. interesting so far the ones i've seen have the photographers name on'em.
so i should star selling my prints without my name ?
how does everyone lese do it?

Never seen a single person sell them with their logo on it before.

Would NEVER pay for that. Ever.

I find it tacky at best. Olan Mills/Sears/JCPenny type stuff.

Price your work accordingly and leave the watermark off. Watermark is ok for your own portfolio or Facebook.

If they're art prints as opposed to portraits I find it different.

-F

Comerfjc wrote in post #12295974
Never seen a single person sell them with their logo on it before.

Would NEVER pay for that. Ever.

Ditto - I don't do this either.

Now, what I do is stamp my name/address/info on the back of the print which is a very good reference for reorders of enlargements. I also include loose prints in an inexpensive cardboard folio that has my name embossed in silver. The folio is for protection/presentatio​n and the client can easily remove the print for insertion in a frame or other location.

Was your logo subtle and off to the side, or was it pretty substantial?

it makes sense with the prints. how about the files on the cd? should i remove it also?

illrooster132 wrote in post #12296009
it makes sense with the prints. how about the files on the cd? should i remove it also?

Leaving the branding causes the same problem if they want to make prints, which is the point of providing the CD. Remove the branding, but leave the Copyright EXIF intact.

No logos on the front. As mentioned above stamping the back, or using a logo in the presentation package is fine. But I cant imagine they hired you with the idea that your logo would be framed on their wall.

good points. now i fell at ease. off with the brading then. thank for shining some light on the subject

No logos in front here as well....does have my name on back. Tacky to have studio name on front. I would reprint them for them. I think you should have asked to have your logo on the visual side.

i think my main problem was the pricing was way too low, i will fix that. and he's getting reprints and a cd of the prints he ordered. ( for a price )

Quick note:
I'm making a very small emboss marking system to prove images are my originals..more for fine art aspects..but could apply..to keep your brand and also keep clients happy..
cheers
Darrin

Fine art prints are a different matter, there may be some future benefit for the owner to prove that its yours.

gonzogolf wrote in post #12297278
Fine art prints are a different matter, there may be some future benefit for the owner to prove that its yours.

Agree - I always sign the white area around the print (I print a lot of 15x10 on 13x19 paper) as well as the mat I cut for the framed print. The back of the print gets the address/info stamp as well, and I business card is attached on the back of the framed piece or between the mats.