Release your earning potential
If you want to use your images exactly when, where and how you like, then you’ll need a model release form
If you want to ensure you can do as you like with your own images, model release forms are essential. They’re not complicated; they are simply a contract between a photographer and a model to agree where and how your images can be used.
Although risky, there are occasions when you can get away with not providing a form and use your images elsewhere, for example, when you have been commissioned to shoot for a particular publication but have not been given an agreement to sign yourself. But beware you do have a somewhat implied contract with the model, so using the images elsewhere could upset the model and the commissioning publication.
As a reportage photographer, you are pretty much freed from the restraints of release forms. Shooting images for news stories gives you a free rein, though only if it can be deemed to be in the public’s interest for the image to be seen.
In general though, always get a model release. A good example is in the case of stock libraries: no library will accept a non-released image. This has become more important with time too, as online libraries mean images can be used abroad, and foreign privacy laws can be different.
So now you know when you need a release, where do you get them? Standard forms are available on the Internet. For example, the AOP’s website has standard forms supplied by Getty. There are different versions for different situations, such as photographing children for instance. These can be signed by a child, but it is better for a parent or guardian to do so on their behalf.
Alternatively, you can create your own form, for example if your images are for a particular project. You can simply state that the model agrees for the photographer to take the photo and publish it in X, for Y amount of money or for Z number of prints and finally the term in which the images can be used. What is phrased as ‘full library use’ is probably the best bet here. It means you can use the images subsequently for anything; this is the best route to making as much money as possible from the shots.
Payments don’t have to be money, remember. Very often, new models are happy with prints from the session, which they can then use in their portfolios.
When producing a form of your own it is important to cover advertising use. Many people will object to pictures of themselves being used for advertising. This can be because they don’t endorse the product, or because they realise they could have earned more money from the shots. If you use pictures for advertising without permission, a model can sue, so be sure to address this well beforehand.
The bottom line is that a model release form provides reassurance and Using one can mean the difference between being sued or not.
With thanks to Gwen Thomas of the AOP for all her help.
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