Several people have asked how I get a copyright on my photos. I’m going to show you two easy ways. The first way involves uploading your photos to a free photo holding site such as Flickr. This way is best for those who don’t have photo editing software on their computer. The second way is using Adobe Photoshop (my personal favorite). To view any image in this tutorial better click on it to enlarge it.

How to copyright your photos using Flickr:

1. Upload your picture to your Flickr account. On the picture’s page click on “edit photo” which will be above the photo. The photo editing software called Picnik will load up.

2. On the tool bar above your photo choose the text option. (see the red arrow I inserted here)

3. Type in the text you want. In this case I typed in Copyright © Montserrat. To get the copyright symbol you hold the alt button down while typing in the numbers 0169 using your number pad (for PC’s) or for Mac users hold down the option button while typing g. If that doesn’t work for you see step 5 below.

4. In the text properties box you can change the color of the text, the opacity (fade option), the blend mode (the red arrow is pointing to the overlay mode which made the text like a watermark), and even flip the text sideways if you prefer. You can move the text to any part of the photo by clicking on the text box itself and dragging it around. To adjust the size click on the circle at the corners and drag.

5. If you can’t seem to type the copyright symbols no worries! Click on the shapes tab in the toolbar above the photo. Scroll down until you get to the Photo Licenses section. Select the © and drag it where you want it in the photo. Then go back to the text box and adjust it to fit around the ©. Here I had to enlarge the text a little and add several spaces between the words.

6. When you are happy with the results save your photo. It is now ready to insert into your blog!

I hardly ever use Picnik but that’s because I have Adobe Photoshop Elements. I created a brush with my copyright that I add to the photo after I’m done editing it. Here’s how to create a brush.

1. Create a new document making sure your background is transparent.

2. Choose the shape tool on the side bar and then click on the custom shape box at the top. (see the red arrows)

3. Scroll down through the shapes until you get to the © symbol. Click on it to select.

4. On your blank page click and drag your cursor creating the size of the © you want.

5. Next add your text adjusting the size and spacing so it fits around the © symbol.

6. Now select the rectangular marquee tool.

7. Drag a selection around your text.

8. With the area selected click on the edit tab and click on the Define Brush from Selection option.

9. Name the brush whatever you want. The image on the side (where the red arrow is pointing) shows what your brush will look like. Don’t worry about it looking all squished and out of whack! Click Okay. The brush is now saved in your default brushes.

10. Open up the photo you want copyrighted. Create a new blank layer. Select the brush option. Scroll down until you get to the brush you added. It will usually be the very last one.

11. The brush will look like an outline (see red arrow). It moves as you move your mouse. If you find that it is too big or too small adjust the pixel size of the brush (see above the photo in the middle).

12. Click ONCE on the photo. This “stamps” the brush onto the photo. It will be whatever color you have chosen in the color box.

13. If you find that the copyright is too dark adjust the opacity until you get what you like.

14. TADA! You have created a brush that you can use every time you want to copyright a photo. From here on out all you have to do is “stamp” it on. Easy.

Copyright with 100% opacity

Copyright with 70% opacity