Me, Meaghan Flaherty, and Libby Hintz. Photo by Pat D'Aversa.
I flubbed up last week big time.
I failed to give credit to the photographer of the personal picture in the Art Marketing Action newsletter.
The photographer who made Megan Flaherty, Libby Hintz, and me look so good was Pat D’Aversa.
I know better than this – especially since I had just taught about the importance of credit lines in the Long Island workshop that Pat attended!
Photo by Kimberly Lennox
I’d like to say this was an isolated incident, but I also erred with the book jacket for my 2011 edition of I’d Rather Be in the Studio. I used a new photo, but I didn’t catch that the cover designer hadn’t changed the name of the photographer. (I was the only proofreader who would have known this other than the photographer. It was 100% my fault.)
My photo on the back flap of my book is by Kimberly Lennox.
Give Credit
Don’t do as I did. Do as I say.
Be very careful whenever you use another artist’s work – ANYWHERE. In both of the instances I mentioned above, I was devastated to learn that I had not properly credited the photographers.
I’m trying to make it up to them through this blog post and in other ways, but it would have been better to credit them in the first place.
When you feature other artists’ work on Facebook, on your blog, or in your newsletter, use the entire credit line:
©date Name of Artist, Title of Work, medium, size (h x w x d).
In addition, link to their sites as a matter of courtesy.
And don’t forget to credit your photographers!
Claim Credit
In order to receive credit for your art, you must add credit lines wherever it is shown – online or in person. This means including your name and ©date with every image on your website, blog, Facebook, Flickr, . . . You get the point.
You wouldn’t install your art without a label next to it, so why would you do this online?
Pat D’Aversa does this well on her page on Facebook.
It’s also important to add the medium and, if not a digital photograph, size. See how Leslie Parke does this on her site.
If visitors have to scroll down to read the credit line, make sure your name is still visible and always near the image.
People can’t give you credit until you claim it first.
Are you giving yourself credit?
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Wow, huge mistake Alyson! But coming clean like you did in your post (and email) was very thoughtful, honest, and exceptional…no one could ask anymore.
Appreciatively,
Michael
Thanks, Michael. Yep, HUGE mistake.
Giving credit to photographers not only is the right thing to do but makes good business sense.
I emailed a photographer last month to see if we could use their photograph and not only did they say yes, but they ended up becoming an active commenter on my blog.
Robin: That was a nice icebreaker – an unexpected bonus for you.
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