A method for forming a benzophenone-containing emulsion is provided. The method includes a step of forming a pre-emulsion by combining a monomer composition with a benzophenone or a benzophenone derivative in water, the monomer composition including one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic acid monomers and (meth)acrylic monomers, vinyl acetate, aromatic monomers, vinyl neodecanoate, and combinations thereof. The pre-emulsion is polymerized by combining the pre-emulsion with a radical initiator in a reactor to form a reaction mixture that polymerizes to form an emulsion polymer. This procedure implements novel and easily polymerizable benzophenone (meth)acrylates) into the polymer backbone preventing them from leaching out of finished coatings. Advantageously, the benzophenone-containing emulsions can be used to form paint coatings with dirt pick-up resistance while maintaining the excellent flexibility of paint finishes to limit cracking of the final film.