Jeff Smith's Guide to Head and Shoulders Portrait Photography

to cars—and we are no different. Most clients want our logo, just like most

women want the Coach label on the outside of their handbag. We finish by say-

ing that, “Typically, the only time someone is bothered by the logo is when

they are trying to copy one of our images and are turned away because of the

copyright laws.” This statement doesn’t accuse them, but it uses your experi-

ence with other clients to let them know thatyouknow the real reason they are

calling. After these comments, there is little argument.

Add Texture to the Prints.The second step in stopping clients from copy-

ing is to texture your prints. Many photographers today don’t even know what

texturing is, but years ago, some studios would sell linen or canvas texturing on

their final portraits and charge a premium price for it. The idea never really

caught on because most clients didn’t want to pay more for a textured print.

However, the texture on the print makes high-quality copying almost impossi-

ble. This type of texture is offered by most labs, or you can buy a texture ma-

chine. These work like the older rollers for wringing the water out of clothing.

There are two heavy rollers with the texture pattern on them, and as the print

goes through the two rollers the pressure embeds a permanent texture on the

print surface.

The most popular texture is linen. A canvas texture is too smooth to stop

copying, and a pebble texture is too heavy; it becomes an eyesore in your por-

traits. You don’t notice a linen texture at a normal viewing distance or under

glass, but the lines of texture pop right out when copying and degrade the qual-

ity of the copy. As a result, copies from these textured prints will not be some-

thing that most paying clients will want to give away. If your lab doesn’t offer

roller textures (some machines use a screen), see page 123 and e-mail me for the

POSTPRODUCTION 121

A discrete logo helps prevent illegal copy-
ing without intruding on the appeal of the
image.

The lines of texture

pop out when copying

and degrade the

quality of the copy.