signatures / logo stamps

n.hubb22 · Oct 9, 2011

I'm curious, I don't have my own business right now. I am going to be doing some concert stuff in the coming weeks and shoots for bands (personnel shots) and I want to be able to have people know that the shots are mine. I made a logo that I would use i guess in the future if I ever got my own business started. Is there any reason I shouldn't throw it on the shots anyways? Or is there any legal reason not to??

Thanks!

jonathon94 · Oct 9, 2011

Depends on what the logo looks like. What does it say exactly?

n.hubb22 · Oct 9, 2011

check the image below.

it sayz "viz i photography" which is short for vizual interference photography.

Bridge2 by Viz I, on Flickr

jonathon94 · Oct 9, 2011

As long as nobody else (or company) uses that name, I don't think there would be an issue. But then again I am not a lawyer. If you want a highly confident answer I'd ask a lawyer, but as I said I don't see any issue with it.

MBasile · Oct 10, 2011

As for using a logo/watermark, I'd first make sure it isn't infringing on any other brand. Branding wise, I only put them on free photos that I do (shows where I'm not technically hired, blah blah blah). I personally feel that on paid work it looks tacky. Also speaking brand wise, "brands" that use Z's instead of S's are an instant turnoff for me. I'd suggest just putting "©2011 Your Name" for this case.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer, have never played one (or anything) on TV, or slept with one and anything I have posted does not constitute legal advice.

n.hubb22 · Oct 10, 2011

MBasile said:
As for using a logo/watermark, I'd first make sure it isn't infringing on any other brand. Branding wise, I only put them on free photos that I do (shows where I'm not technically hired, blah blah blah). I personally feel that on paid work it looks tacky. Also speaking brand wise, "brands" that use Z's instead of S's are an instant turnoff for me. I'd suggest just putting "©2011 Your Name" for this case.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer, have never played one (or anything) on TV, or slept with one and anything I have posted does not constitute legal advice.

I like your approach of only doing it on non-paid shoots. I used to just use my signature on the bottom, but the more I think about it after reading your post I'm thinking of going the route of keeping the sig and adding the copyright symbal and the year.

"DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer, have never played one (or anything) on TV, or slept with one" hahhaha