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06-03-2009, 01:26 PM
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#1
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Pro
Trade:
Electrical Contractor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 493
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Photo Ethics?
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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06-03-2009, 01:31 PM
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#2
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Electron Flow Manipulator
Trade:
Electrons for cash
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,443
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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'.
__________________
Age is just a number but mine is unlisted.
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06-03-2009, 01:37 PM
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#3
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Lack Of All Trades
Trade:
Professional handyman services
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 893
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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.
__________________
who dat is?
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06-03-2009, 01:37 PM
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#4
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Sean
Trade:
General Contractor
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cullman, AL
Posts: 3,418
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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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06-03-2009, 02:35 PM
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#5
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Registered User
Trade:
Licensed Contractor
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Los Angeles California
Posts: 9
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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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The Following User Says Thank You to LA Remodeling For This Useful Post:
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06-03-2009, 09:11 PM
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#6
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Think it Draw it Build it
Trade:
WA STATE GC Specialized in Structural Framing
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lynden, Washington
Posts: 1,620
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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
__________________
WallMaxx, Inc. 
Think it. Draw it. Build it.
Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars..
>>>>>libertas<<<<<
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06-03-2009, 09:37 PM
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#7
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Custom Deck Builder
Trade:
Decks, patio roofs
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 2,245
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 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
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yup. what he said...
Mac
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06-03-2009, 09:37 PM
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#8
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Pro
Trade:
Electrical Contractor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 493
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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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06-03-2009, 10:01 PM
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#9
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LRG WoodCrafting
Trade:
Professional Sawdust Producer
Join Date: May 2005
Location: USA, Connecticut
Posts: 3,903
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I have a site that stole pictures from my site and used it as "their" work. Pissed me off to no end.
__________________
Measure Twice Cut Once -- It's a lot easier to cut more off then it is to cut MORON.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HusqyPro
Carpenter by day.
Mad scientist by night.
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http://lrgwood.com
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06-03-2009, 10:09 PM
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#10
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Celtic's #1 Fan
Trade:
electrical
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,387
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 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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googleo...googleo....googleo....read then type.... 
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06-03-2009, 10:10 PM
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#11
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LRG WoodCrafting
Trade:
Professional Sawdust Producer
Join Date: May 2005
Location: USA, Connecticut
Posts: 3,903
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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
__________________
Measure Twice Cut Once -- It's a lot easier to cut more off then it is to cut MORON.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HusqyPro
Carpenter by day.
Mad scientist by night.
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http://lrgwood.com
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06-03-2009, 10:27 PM
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#12
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Pro
Trade:
Electrical Contractor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 493
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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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06-03-2009, 10:34 PM
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#13
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LRG WoodCrafting
Trade:
Professional Sawdust Producer
Join Date: May 2005
Location: USA, Connecticut
Posts: 3,903
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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.
__________________
Measure Twice Cut Once -- It's a lot easier to cut more off then it is to cut MORON.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HusqyPro
Carpenter by day.
Mad scientist by night.
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http://lrgwood.com
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06-04-2009, 11:30 AM
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#14
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Pro
Trade:
Contractor hosting
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 121
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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 
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06-04-2009, 11:38 AM
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#15
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Pro
Trade:
Electrical Contractor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 493
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Quote:
Originally Posted by karunnt
No more golden retrievers |
No retriever, I have a tiger-striped cat named Sparky.
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06-04-2009, 12:08 PM
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#16
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Pro
Trade:
Building and Remodeling
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: CONNECTICUT
Posts: 1,084
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Sure you can...just ask for permission and give credit.... 
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06-04-2009, 02:05 PM
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#17
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Member
Trade:
Electrical
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 58
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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.
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06-29-2009, 09:59 PM
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#18
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Registered User
Trade:
Coatings
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1
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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?
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08-17-2009, 10:48 AM
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#19
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Non-conformist
Trade:
Builder of businesses
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 201
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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.
__________________
Steve Chittenden
Web/SEO Geek • Graphic Artist • Writer • Marketing Guy
One reason I know so much about the web and marketing is that I don't have to know as much about construction.
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08-17-2009, 05:08 PM
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#20
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Pro
Trade:
Repair/Remodel
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Seattle, Wa
Posts: 544
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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.
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