Blogging Archives

How to report stolen Instagram content.

April 27, 2018

In a perfect world, no one would ever steal photos or videos. But in this world, you need to know how to report stolen Instagram content.

What do I mean by stolen Instagram content? When someone takes an original video or photo that you’ve posted and shares it as their own without giving you credit. That’s intellectual property theft and it sucks.

The good news is that Instagram does actually have an official way to report stolen content, and they usually do take action on the reports if you take the time to file one.

I’ve helped a few of you report stolen Instagram content recently, so I thought it was worth writing out the instructions for anyone else who might be wondering!

How to report stolen Instagram content.

When I find an account that has stolen my Instagram content, I usually start with a polite but firm message asking them to edit the caption to credit me as the photographer. If that doesn’t work, I file a Copyright Infringement Report with Instagram.

This is how Instagram defines copyright:

Copyright is a legal right that seeks to protect original works of authorship (ex: books, music, film, art).

Generally, copyright protects original expression such as words or images. It does not protect facts and ideas, although it may protect the original words or images used to describe an idea. Copyright also doesn’t protect things like names, titles and slogans; however, another legal right called a trademark might protect those.”

Someone stealing your original image or video and posting on their own Instagram account without giving you credit is copyright violation.

To get started, go to this page and click on “Learn more about reporting copyright violations.” You can do this through the Instagram app’s help center, but I find that it’s easier in a web browser.

This will take you to a Copyright FAQ page. Click on the tiny hyperlink at the end of the first paragraph that says “this form” to go to the actual form.

The form starts by asking you if you’re reporting a copyright or a trademark infringement. We’re talking simple copyright violation today, so that’s what you’re going to select.

Here’s what’s next:

If someone has stolen your photos or videos and posted them as their own without your permission, you want “I found content which I believe infringes my copyright.”

Next, Instagram will remind you that copyright reporting is serious business and you shouldn’t do it unless someone’s actually violated your copyright. Again, if someone has taken your original photos/videos and posted them on Instagram without your permission or proper credit, that’s a violation of your copyright.

It’s pretty straightforward from here, but I’m going to walk you through it anyway. This has happened to me enough times that I think everyone on IG should know how to report stolen Instagram content.Read More

Level up your photos with a clip on phone light.

February 23, 2018

I added a clip on phone light to my on-the-go photography arsenal shortly before my VicenzaOro adventures last fall and ever since then, people have been chasing me down at trade shows to ask me where I found it. The happy truth is that it’s easy to find, easy to use, and super cheap!

Level up your jewelry photos with a clip on phone light.

If you’ve ever seen me in action at a trade show or jewelry store, you know I’ll do anything to find the right lighting. I’ll sit on the floor, I’ll lean under a table – whatever it takes. But sometimes even the most undignified contortions get me nowhere. Some places are too dark, too bright, or just wrong.

A clip on phone light solves this problem. Having an easily portable source of adjustable light makes an enormous difference. A lot of convention centers (which is where trade shows usually are) have reddish or yellowish light, which doesn’t do most jewelry any favors. The clip on phone light shines white light, which is perfect for diamonds.

We’ve talked about tips and tricks for good phone photography here on the blog before. Anyone who’s ever taken a picture knows that light is the biggest thing to make or break a shot, and when you’re working with a subject as reflective as jewelry, it’s even more critical.

See what a difference it can make? Two completely unedited photos: the first with a phone light, the second without. This fabulous necklace is by Susan Elnora.

The clip on phone light’s biggest issue is that it sometimes provides too much light, and the ring of light can be reflected in certain gemstones, especially cabochons. This particular light adjusts to offer three different levels of light.

Like any photo strategy, the clip on selfie light requires some practice to to really get things down. But I’ve found that it’s definitely worth the effort, especially if you take a lot of jewelry photos on the go like me!

I can’t tell you how many people have ordered these for themselves after seeing mine in action – more than a dozen by now, if not two dozen.

This post is for all of you who have wanted to ask how to get your own phone light but haven’t had a chance. And so that instead of giving the laborious instructions, “Go to Amazon, search for clip-on selife light’ and then look for the one that….(etc)” I can just say “Search ‘phone light’ on my website and you’ll find the exact one!”

And on that note: I have to thank my fabulous friend Hannah Becker, who taught me about clip on phone lights in the first place! I’m spreading the phone light gospel, but I didn’t discover them without help.

This post contains affiliate links.

Influencers 101: how to work with jewelry bloggers.

October 26, 2017

If you’re a jewelry designer, store, or brand looking for extra publicity, getting attention from jewelry bloggers can be a great boost for your online presence. But how do you get jewelry bloggers to feature you?

There are no surefire ways to make sure that Influencers will want to spotlight your brand, but there are definitely some things you can do to increase your chances of being featured and to making sure you’ll be thrilled with those features when they go live.

Reach out.

Jewelry bloggers get tons of pitches every day from people looking to be featured. This kind of cold calling often goes nowhere…but sometimes it pays off, and when it pays off it can pay off big. If you think your designs are a good fit for a certain jewelry blogger’s audience, reach out and tell them so. It can’t hurt, and it just might work.

Make it easy.

If you’re doing an email intro, be sure to include at least a link to your website and/or Instagram if not actual photos, lookbooks, or Dropbox links to photos. If a blogger has to reply to your email and say “Okay, but what is the name of your brand?” there’s a 99.9% chance they’ll just hit delete instead.

Jewelry bloggers always need content. If you make your materials accessible, you’re halfway in the door already.

Invest time and/or money in photography.

Online Influencer content is a visual medium. If you don’t have attractive, professional looking photos at the ready, you’re shooting yourself in the foot.

Be organized.

There’s no better way to send images than with a link to a well-organized Dropbox folder. WeTransfers expire, zip files are unwiedly, and there’s nothing worse than getting a big batch of photos one attachment at a time in a big flood of individual emails.

Include a PDF in your Dropbox with identifying information on the pieces pictured and you’ll be every blogger’s dream come true.

Label everything clearly.

Do you know what I have in my Dropbox? Dozens and dozens of folders called “Diamonds in the Library.”

85% or more of the brands who send me images use my name or the name of my blog for the name of the folder.

I totally understand the logic here. You’re packaging up photos for me, why not label it with my name? But it makes it really hard for me to find your photos later if they’re just another one of my 62 or so folders called “Diamonds in the Library.”

I can’t say this enough times: the easier you make it for a jewelry blogger to feature you, the more likely they are to do so.

How to report stolen Instagram content.

Level up your jewelry photos with a clip on phone light.

Reach out.

Make it easy.

Invest time and/or money in photography.

Be organized.

Label everything clearly.

Follow along with me on Instagram