Is it fair to watermark all wedding photos when shooting for free?

Question: I am considering working as a 2nd or 3rd shooter for a friend's wedding without $ compensation. In fact I will be giving them a cash wedding present. Is it fair for me to only provide them with watermarked photos with my website name at the bottom? Do I need a contract for it even though there is no $ exchange involved?

Why are you doing it? If you were asked then you need to be up front and decide on prices... you dont decide after the fact.


If you are just covering the wedding for yourself you give them free.

hes not asking about prices/pricing, hes asking about watermarking

Maybe consider giving them a few really nice shots without watermarks as your wedding gift??..just thinking outloud.

Why would you watermark images for a friend? That just sounds dumb. Maybe I just don't get it...

Are you giving "printed" images or supplying them on a CD?

If printed - then I wouldn't watermark them.

If on CD, then maybe either watermark them, or reduce the filesize so that evry-member of the family can't take advantage.

But as Tom suggests, if it's a good friend you might consider "giving" the photo's as a wedding gift (remember that you may upset the official tog though if they are contracted to "sell prints")

TJ

Are you working as a 2nd/3rd shooter or are you guest taking pictures?

If you are a 2nd shooter, you are working for the wedding photographer and putting your watermark on the pictures is wrong and possibly illegal as the copyright would belong to the wedding photog (work for hire, even if you don't get paid).

If you are just a guest with a good camera, watermarking is bad manners and poor taste.

What do you mean exactly when you say second shooter?
If there is a pro shooting the wedding already then they may get upset if you are a guest giving away free prints, but I don't think it would be illegal. If you were hired by the pro and have a written contract (WHICH IS THE ONLY WAY THEY COULD OWN THE COPYRIGHTS TO YOUR WORK) then that should spell out restrictions on your watermarks.
http://www.copyright.g​ov/circs/circ9.html

If you are operating as a 2nd shooter, you need to work out the details with the 1st shooter.

Since this thread is similar to the question I have in mind, I'm just going to tag along.

If I'm at the wedding as a guest shooter, do I have to talk to the hired photog? It's different if I use the P&S, but if I lug a DSLR around and try to take nice pictures that the couple might use in the end, do I owe anything to the photog?

themichael wrote in post #5578621
If you are a 2nd shooter, you are working for the wedding photographer and putting your watermark on the pictures is wrong and possibly illegal as the copyright would belong to the wedding photog (work for hire, even if you don't get paid).

Uh, no. I take the pictures, my copyright. Camera in my hands = my pictures.

That is, unless there is prior arrangement and agreement of rights transfer, which in this case, there certainly doesn't seem to be.

That said, why on earth would you watermark the pics? That makes them nearly worthless to anyone, including the B&G. Might as well not take them.

jd40 wrote in post #5582794
Since this thread is similar to the question I have in mind, I'm just going to tag along.

If I'm at the wedding as a guest shooter, do I have to talk to the hired photog? It's different if I use the P&S, but if I lug a DSLR around and try to take nice pictures that the couple might use in the end, do I owe anything to the photog?

Touchy subject. Don't get in the paid guys way, be polite. Don't use a flash or remote transmitters when he/she is using either. Basically, don't compromise the 'hired' shots. That's not fair to anyone

Provided these things, you owe him nothing. Take all the pics you want, do with them whatever you like. If he/she gets uppity and rude (which does happen, and is absurd, considering they've already been paid), do what you can to not disrupt or otherwise cause fuss on your friends wedding day. However, do remember you are not doing anything wrong.

All that said, I suggest you speak with the B&G so they can inform the hired photographer that you will be there as a friend, staying out of his way, and not affecting him otherwise. That way, all is cleared up beforehand, and everyone snaps in peace.

Hope that helps.

Edit: Most wedding photogs are pretty cool. You'll likely end up talking gear and whatnot during shared downtime. At my own wedding, I was borrowing bodies and lenses from my photog and shooting with him and his assistant =) Good times.

You said the magic word

"FRIEND"

if you still want them as friends - no watermark

xpsentity wrote in post #5582938
Touchy subject. Don't get in the paid guys way, be polite. Don't use a flash or remote transmitters when he/she is using either. Basically, don't compromise the 'hired' shots. That's not fair to anyone

Provided these things, you owe him nothing. Take all the pics you want, do with them whatever you like. If he/she gets uppity and rude (which does happen, and is absurd, considering they've already been paid), do what you can to not disrupt or otherwise cause fuss on your friends wedding day. However, do remember you are not doing anything wrong.

All that said, I suggest you speak with the B&G so they can inform the hired photographer that you will be there as a friend, staying out of his way, and not affecting him otherwise. That way, all is cleared up beforehand, and everyone snaps in peace.

Hope that helps.

Edit: Most wedding photogs are pretty cool. You'll likely end up talking gear and whatnot during shared downtime. At my own wedding, I was borrowing bodies and lenses from my photog and shooting with him and his assistant =) Good times.

thanks for a little guide