A fellow photog I admire posted the following on a professional photography forum that I frequent. I 110% agree with what she wrote. My hard work gets copied and ripped off by other local photogs wayyyy to often, so I can completely relate to her words here.
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When I was just starting out a couple of years ago, I found inspiration all over. I can name about 10 photographers whose work inspired me, photographers whose designs I loved and whose websites made me melt.
However, when it came time to brand myself , my own emotions and creativity set in. My brand – my company name, colors, the idea behind my logo, my words — were all mine. I put my heart and soul into these choices and into my brand. I hired a graphic designer for my logo — someone who was able to put my vision on paper. I spent many hours writing and rewriting my website copy (yes, as simple as it is it took me TIME). I came up with my prices on my own, collection names, and splash page text. And while my website is designed by a popular company, I made it my own with my choice of music and slideshow and gallery names.
Taking someone’s logo and making a few minor adjustments is not inspiration it’s stealing…especially if you are local to that person.
Taking someone’s words and making some minor variations is not inspiration it’s plagiarism and a copyright violation.
Copying someone’s pricing and collections is not inspiration it’s bad business practices. If you can’t price yourself right for you, you will never succeed.
Copying a splash page, key words (no adjustments) and text is not inspiration it’s laziness.
If you can’t come up with your own designs, with your own identity and brand, then work with someone to help you do it. Not everyone is creative in that way. But taking someone’s own ideas is foolish. You might think no one will notice but it will permeate everything you do.
I will do what I can to protect my brand but I realize from a legal standpoint there are limitations. That being said, clients — the ones many of us want — can tell the difference between a real Gucci and a fake.