Opinions for Marketing and Photography

So recently I have volunteered as a race photographer for a start up non-profit. The non-profit organization helps bring fitness and nutrition to kids from low socioeconomic background. The non-profit has a series of races going and I was wanting to see what are the opinions of watermarking photos from a marketing aspect and from an artistic point. From the artistic point I have finished all photographs with a watermark with light transparency to try to not detract from the image. I have always hated when photographers but a logo at full resolution because sometimes I feel that it takes away from the picture.

 

I was asked by a friend of mine that I should not make the logo watermark transparent and make it as a full image down in the corner. He feels that the non-profit will not get the marketing that it deserves and that people will have to look for the logo or possibly not even see them thus making marketing obsolete.

 

I would like to know what are some fair opinions where both can win. I want the nice picture, he wants the logo put out there. Keep in mind this is just a discussion and we are doing this because we both love running and want to help out the community, but I also care about the picture as well.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 21, 2017 by William Michael

I'm looking at it from the point of view of the charity and I'd want it distinct. If participants want to buy copies from you, then you can offer it without anything, except your logo.

Well, I do publicity photography. If your providing complimentary photography for a non-profit... I wish to first tell you that non-profit business is about business. Therefor, don't feel bashful about charging for money. However, if you wish to volunteer your services. It's best to offer Low-Res .JPEG deliverables that are branded with your logo unobtrusively positioned in the lower right corner of the images. You, the Photographer should submit 300dpi, press ready .TIFF files to a local news publication along with the non-profit's press release. (No Watermarks!) The idea is to earn the non-profit free advertising value in the form of a news editorial. Your offer should be a first time complementary use.

 

You should charge the non-profit for any additional publishing value that is derived from the use of your images. And since you poses their press release, this empowers you to be able to stimulate demand.

 

Good luck at being a capitalist!

Just my 2ct: I don't feel the logo part of the logo contributing a lot, especially looking at the high resolution pictures with lots of semi transparent pixelated space around the logo. I'd be tempted to reduce it to it's bottom line "runsayouth.com", add the date of the run and if your software was ultra capable (or another volunteer at hand?) maybe even time & distance of the individual runner.

Right now the 2 graphic elements are clashing. - Whoever downloads their picture would be tempted to remove the logo by means of cropping or clone stamping anyhow. That's why I think: You should add value to the watermark. Naming specific runs in the same line as theIr host's homepage is a first step. The watermark becomes part of the bragging rights.

IDK how and why (unknown) run SA youth would benefit from spreading their graphic logo. Is it out somewhere in town where people are supposed to stop and whatever? - If not stick to just their homepage. Maybe rethink logo placement. Wouldn't the outer quarters of the top line be more suitable? Date into the left, host into the right?