Features
Do I Need A Model Release?
Photographer's often ask me about the importance of Model Releases and Property Releases. I cannot stress enough that if you want to license your image to a client or through a stock photo agency, you MUST have the necessary releases. If you don’t have them or if they do not cover the use you plan to license to somebody chances are you will get sued.
I know it is easy to get intimidated by the thought of
creating standard Model and Property Releases but it is actually not that
difficult. I would suggest you start with a generic release (see book below)
and then I would recommend that you go to a lawyer who specializes in content
licensing and ask them to add some language that covers potential Sensitive Subjects such as alcohol/tobacco
related uses, medical conditions, and social issues. The reason for this extra
language; for example, someone may want to license an image you shot of a model
for a billboard related to HIV treatment. Without that
language the model could sue you for defamation of character because all of the
model’s potential dating partners saw the billboard and the model is stuck at
home on Friday night. I know this is an extreme example but this kind of thing
does happen, and here in the US if someone can sue you, they will!
Also, I would take the revised release and have the lawyer create another version for minors. This version should have a space for the minor and a parent or legal guardian to sign. There should also be language that specifies the parent or guardian has a right to sign this document on behalf of the minor.
If you are not sure where to get started, I recommend that you start with this book "Business and Legal Forms for Photographers" by Tad Crawford
Posted in: Features, Photographers, Stock Photo Companies
