This week we’re welcoming a guest blogger Carmen, who is sharing how you can protect your photos when sharing them online. Take it away Carmen!

We live in an age where everything we do is shared across a multitude of platforms online. From our websites to social media accounts and everything in between, we’re sharing our intellectual property with the world.

Surely, as a photographer, that’s good for business?

Well, yes, it is. But it also puts your work at risk of being stolen and redistributed by unauthorized persons.

Our industry depends on our ability to produce unique works of art, and we cannot risk an intellectual rights battle with thieves and hackers. The good old right click “Save As” function can cause untold destruction on your business.

So, how can you protect yourself from theft? And more importantly, how do you protect your work?

1. Add a Copyright Notice

Add a copyright notice to your website that states that everything published is your intellectual property and cannot be used without written consent.

Some people may be unaware that they can’t use the pictures on your site, however most visitors and internet users will know there are user rights.

2. Include Watermarks

Use a semi-transparent logo to watermark your images. Be sure to place it somewhere that makes it difficult to remove or crop out. It doesn’t need to hide your image.

A watermark is purely a stamp of ownership. Plus, it links your image back to you should it be copied or utilized without consent.

3. Update Exchangeable Image File Data

This data contains all the information pertaining to the image. It includes the camera used, shutter speed, exposure time, focal length, and the image dimensions. This can be edited by going into the image properties. Here you will be able to add a copyright notice and your name, as well as company details or other relevant information.

4. Add Copyright

While the image is technically your property as soon as you capture it, having a formal document stating that it’s protected by copyright will help you a great deal. Especially if you need to fight for your image rights at any stage!

To copyright an image, you’ll need to file a formal application and pay a fee for the copyright to be processed and lodged. This gives you the ability to file for damages should somebody steal your images. You will need to add a “Registered & Protected” notice to your website too to cover all your bases.

5. Publish Low Res Images

Don’t upload high-resolution images to any of your platforms. Rather opt for low res images that cannot be resized or tweaked by third parties.

In the event that anyone needs high-resolution images, they can request them from you. This gives you complete control over whoever has access to your high-resolution files. Having lower res images can also boost your website loading speed, which is something that site visitors will appreciate too!

6. Disable the Right Click Functionality

The easiest way to download internet images is by using the right click “Save As” functionality. By disabling this function on your website, you make it difficult for thieves to access and reuse your images.

I say “more difficult” because there are other ways that they might replicate your image, but this is the first step in the right direction–pun intended.

7. Read the Terms and Conditions

Before uploading your images to any site, read through their terms and conditions. What protection do they offer your content and where will they share your images? How will they respond to copyright infringements? Do they claim ownership or have a usage policy for any material you upload?

The fine print may differ from company to company, so be sure to check the terms and conditions every time.

8. Take Action

As soon as you become aware of the theft, take action against the person infringing on your copyright protection. Contact them and inform them that what they’re doing is illegal. Advise them that they should remove your photos from all of their platforms immediately to prevent further legal action.

Be polite and avoid threatening the person. They may be unaware that the image was copyrighted, and that replication is illegal. If they ignore your request, you can contact their domain host or platform service provider and ask them to remove the content on your behalf.

If that doesn’t work, you may need to make use of a professional service that specializes in this sort of thing. If you have formally copyrighted the images, you may be able to sue for monetary damages.

Taking a Proactive Stance

Thanks to the internet we have access to anything and everything at the click of a button. The same can be said for image poachers and people eager to pass off your work as their own. Living in an ever-evolving digital world has many advantages.

But in the same breath, it comes with a lot of disadvantages for you as an artist - and your photography business.

While thieves will always find a way to get what they’re looking for, there are actions you can take to make their lives incredibly difficult, and your work a less-than-attractive proposition. By making use of one, some, or all of the above-mentioned tips, you can safeguard your images while maintaining an up-to-date online photography portfolio.

It’s not a hopeless situation, we just need to be proactive when it comes to protecting ourselves and our work. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when securing your livelihood.

While you may be inclined to let it slide, you need to put your business first and be ruthless with people who infringe on your copyright. It’s not okay to steal someone else’s art, and we need to make a point of sharing this with the world.

With a background in photo editing and as a hobby photographer, Carmen writes for various photography outlets. She spends her free time enjoying the outdoors and discovering new hiking trails.

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