Photo Ethics?

Tiger

I need some more professional pictures on my site & I'm wondering about the ethics of using any pictures instead of MY pictures. In other words if I could get a non-copyrighted photo of a 10M house with beautiful landscape lighting which I hadn't installed, would it be ethical to have it on my site as long as I wasn't saying it is my work?

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www.TigerElectrical.com

480sparky

AFAIK, all photos are copyrighted automatically when they are created.

I'd suggest obtaining pix from a source that states their photos are 'public domain' or 'not copyrighted'.

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Site : the area or exact plot of ground on which anything is, has been, or is to be located.
Sight : The power or faculty of seeing; perception of objects by use of the eyes; vision.
Cite : To mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.

Darwin

Using beautiful pics other than your own to build the overall 'look' of your website would be fine. However, when doing your gallery of completed projects, I would never use anyone else's work but my own.

SLSTech

If it is on your site - people will assume you installed it

The only way I could see myself doing that, is having a page of the wonderful things that can be done (a dreamers guide - with the notice on there stating not all work performed by .... this page is just to show you multiple options that are available)

I do love the E word because it is great for debate, is it ethically right or wrong to do this personally, professionally, don't I have a greater moral or ethical right to ensure my employees work, blah, blah, blah

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Alabama Full Service Remodeling, Renovation, and Preservation by SLS Construction
Certified Energy Efficiency Audits, Ratings, Modeling, Verifications, & Consulting
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LA Remodeling

Taking credit for someone else's work is not a good way to start a business, I suggest you use your own photos.

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LA Remodeling - Remodeling and Construction in Los Angeles, California.

wallmaxx

Don't do it man. I will post pictures of tools I never made or trucks I never made, as maybe an endorsement, sort of, but what I build is ALL mine. I may not be the greatest, but I sure wouldn't want to misrepresent my business or my capabilities.

JMHO

BuiltByMAC

yup. what he said...

Mac

Tiger

I'm not suggesting that I get photos of great landscape lighting in front of a mansion and put it on a page titled Examples of My Work.

A member of one of the national electrical/plumbing/HVAC groups might, as part of the membership, get assistance with a website. This assistance might include photos of a mansion, photos of happy families, etc. The member didn't go to that house and doesn't know those families. It's just marketing for members.

That's what I'm considering...getting some good marketing photos that I don't really have anything to do with.

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www.TigerElectrical.com

Leo G

I have a site that stole pictures from my site and used it as "their" work. Pissed me off to no end.

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http://lrgwood.com
Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut

mahlere

googleo...googleo....googleo....read then type....

Leo G

Same thing, taking photos and using as your own. Not cool in my book. If it is on your website, it should be work performed by your company.

You stay'n busy? How's the boy doing? Hope all is well. Always nice to have you harrass me

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Sawdust Follows Me Everywhere

http://lrgwood.com
Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut

Tiger

I'm not suggesting that I get photos of great landscape lighting in front of a mansion and put it on a page titled Examples of My Work.

Take a deep breath and try to focus on the line above Leo.

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www.TigerElectrical.com

Leo G

If it is on his website it should be work his company performed. If he wants to show examples, then link to them giving the person/company who did the work the credit they deserve. Or buy the rights to the photos. Then he can legally/ethically use them on his site.

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Sawdust Follows Me Everywhere

http://lrgwood.com
Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut

karunnt

Legally, if you have the rights to use those pictures on your site then go ahead.

But I am not sure if pictures of happy families frolicking on their beautifully manicure front lawns will enhance the image of your product/service.

To me is seems fake and on a website you want to seem as credible and real as possible.

Go ahead and use stock photos but don't overdo it. Make sure there are lots of your own pictures with yourself, your vehicle, signage etc.

No more golden retrievers

Tiger

No retriever, I have a tiger-striped cat named Sparky.

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www.TigerElectrical.com

JonM

Sure you can...just ask for permission and give credit....

BDB

My thinking is this: Is a home owner or Joe blow goes to a web site of a company that does landscape work and sees landscape picture, then the average customer will assume this is the work of the company who's site he is looking at. So even if you do not plan to use the picture as your work, in an around about way you are. I say do not use any picture on your site except pictures of your own work.

lance.stewart

Not to mention how embarrassed one might feel when a client asks you about 'that house on your website'.

"Well, we purchased that picture in a package advertising deal."

Credibility anyone?

cbscreative

Stock photography always looks like stock photography. You would think with all those zillions of photos you can get that the chance of someone else using the same one is very slim. Maybe so, but that's when it always happens.

I would offer what I think is a better solution, and it's something I do all the time. If your photos aren't that great, check with a Photoshop guru and see what can be done (if there is any hope). You may be able to take photos you don't think are all that great and have them fixed. Another possibility is to seek a photography student and have them take your pictures. It might still require Photoshop, but the results will be much better than totally amateur photography.

Personally, I think less than perfect photos are not a bad thing. They should look good and professional, but if they are too perfect, then they are less believeable. Now if you were selling photography services, that would be different. I'm referring to this situation in this thread.

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Steve Chittenden
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One reason I know so much about the web and marketing is that I don't have to know as much about construction.

KennMacMoragh

I think using your own photos is a nice thought, but what if you don't have very many photos? I remember talking to an Italian guy who started his own landscape business, he didn't have any pictures so he went around taking random pictures of peoples landscape. He put together a portfolio then would show them to his prospects and say "Here, this is what I did". And that's how he started his business. I have one picture on my website that's a stock photo, not something I did. But I've done work like it before, and I know it's something I could do if someone asked me. So I think under circumstances it is o.k.