How to Fill Out a Model Release
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First, let’s define what a Model Release form is. A Model Release is a one-page document signed by both the photographer and the model, along with a witness’s signature.
These signatures permit the use of images featuring the model.
It’s crucial to prepare a Model Release for all photos, without exception, even when the model is a relative, passerby, or yourself.
If the photographer is also the model, they sign the release themselves, requiring only an additional witness’s signature. For a minor model, a parent or guardian must sign the Model Release.
Ideally, the other parent should serve as the witness to prevent future misunderstandings.
Properly completing the Model Release can prevent potential claims from the model or their representatives in the future.Typically, photo banks cannot fully verify the integrity of a Model Release, and many photographers use the same release for an entire series of photos with one model.
Stock photo agencies require a Model Release to protect themselves from potential lawsuits, ensuring that the models in submitted photos have authorized their depiction.
While a photographer might forge a Model Release without the model’s consent, if discovered, most claims would be directed at the photographer rather than the photo bank. Therefore, the risk of forgery falls entirely on you.
Therefore, carefully consider the severe consequences before attempting to forge a Model Release form. Model Release form templates are available on each stock photo website.
Additionally, a universal template is available that can be used across all stock photo platforms.
How to Properly Complete a Model Release Form?
In this guide, we’ll discuss how to complete a Model Release and address specific nuances that stock photographers may encounter. The process of working with models is straightforward:
- Download and print the Model Release form from your chosen stock photo website.
- Provide the form to the model for review. If they have questions, explain its purpose and necessity. Understandably, beginner models will have more questions than experienced professionals. More questions tend to arise if you’re using friends as models for photography.
- Once the model has reviewed the release, complete all fields with accurate legal information.
- Both you and the model should sign the release in the presence of a witness, who will also sign.
- Finally, scan or photograph the completed release and upload it to your stock photo platform.
Let’s quickly review some important points. Before the photoshoot, ensure all the model’s details are correctly entered on the release form and that it is signed by the model.
Often, photographers submit releases missing phone numbers or providing only the city under ‘Address’ when a full address is required.
Remember, the Model Release is a legal document and must be taken seriously.
Once the model fills in their details, the witness must print their full name clearly and sign the release. This is also very important, as the release is invalid without the witness’s attestation.
After completing the Model Release, don’t forget to include your information and signature.
Common Mistakes When Filling Out a Model Release
When using a generic Model Release form, ensure no specific platform’s logo remains, as this can lead to rejection.
Before completing the release form, especially a universal one, ensure it doesn’t reference any specific stock photo platform.
Additionally, if completing a release for international platforms, it typically needs to be in English, unless specified otherwise.
Common mistakes include retaining a specific photo bank’s name on the Model Release or using the incorrect language. However, with experience, these issues are typically resolved swiftly.
Additionally, less common errors can occur when preparing a Model Release:
- For example, when photographing nude models, it’s essential to verify their age by scanning or photographing their ID, in addition to obtaining the Model Release, to confirm they are 18 or older and legally eligible for such photoshoots.
- Remember, anyone recognizable in a photograph, from any angle, must sign a Model Release. Photographers often overlook obtaining a release for individuals in the background. Additionally, if a person is the main subject of your photo, regardless of being captured from the front or back, stock photo agencies won’t accept the image without a Model Release.
- For photographs featuring multiple individuals, each person must complete a separate Model Release form. These releases should be saved as individual files, except for iStockPhoto, which requires all releases to be combined into a single file.
- Model Releases are not necessary for photos of specific body parts, such as hands or legs, unless the individual is identifiable. However, for nude photography, always obtain a Model Release and remember to verify the model’s age by scanning their ID.
- Do not confuse a Property Release (the owner’s permission to use an image of their property) with a Model Release (an individual’s consent to use their likeness).
Many photographers mistakenly believe that completing a Model Release is only necessary when selling images through stock photo agencies. This is a significant misconception.
Even if you don’t work with stock photo agencies and primarily conduct creative photoshoots, it’s essential to have your models sign a Model Release.
These photos might later be sold to agencies or galleries for resale to collectors or exhibitions. Publishers may also wish to include them in books, albums, articles, or other publications.
Your photos may attract attention from editors of professional publications or catalogs, leading to publication offers.
In such cases, having a Model Release is essential. Always remember this.
This article is available in the following categories: About Microstocks, 123RF, Depositphotos, Dreamstime, Fotolia, Istockphoto, Shutterstock
If I am a model and a photographer, and there were no witnesses at the shoot, how do I fill out the release?
If a witness was absent when filling out the release, there shouldn’t be any problems, since a witness’s signature is needed to confirm that the model indeed gives consent for the use of their image. However, if you are both the model and the photographer, this requirement is not mandatory, as you can confirm your consent independently.
Do you think it’s possible to identify a person from the back or if the model’s face is retouched? I need candid photos of different people from the street for an exhibition. Passersby rarely carry their passports. Moreover, I take photos of people discreetly, right on the street, so that the pictures look candid and natural. How should I handle this? Should I chase each person later and ask for their passport details?
Unfortunately, yes.
How should I sign the release, and between whom is it signed? Is there a form for signing the release?
Evgenia, the release is signed by the photographer and the model. There is a form to fill out on each stock site in the release section.
I buy clipart from Fotolia,
The interface is convenient, with a sea of photos and vectors at low prices. There is an option to download clipart for free.
Could you please tell me, if there are no people, where can I get this release for the vector… I drew Lake Baikal in vector, and it was rejected, no release. Release from whom, between whom and whom??? To be precise, on Fotolia, they waited a long time for me to make the release, but I was at a loss and didn’t know what to offer them….
Sometimes, a release refers to Property, not Model, meaning a release is required for the location, the property. Indicate in the comment that this is Lake Baikal, which is a public domain, and anyone can photograph it (if, of course, you made a vector from your photo); otherwise, specify the source as public domain (like, for example, flags of countries and some maps). Even better (if it concerns Fotolia, they are quite picky) is to re-upload your image, and perhaps less vigilant inspectors will pass it.
Wish you good luck!
If, for example, I am the organizer of some photo shoot, what release should I sign with the model to use her photos for my purposes? And if I represent an organization that provides a location for the photo shoot, what should I do in this case if I want to use it for advertising my venue, like a nightclub?
Let me clarify a bit: are you a photographer? And are you a stock photographer? And do you want to shoot a model in a nightclub to promote it and sell the photos on stock sites?
If that’s the case, then you should sign a regular release with the model since the photos are commercial, and the model will be present in them. You can also attach a property release—it confirms that you have the right to shoot on that property and sell the photos.
If you are just ordering a photo shoot solely for the advertisement of your establishment, then the model should sign a regular shooting contract, and stock agencies are not involved here.
Do models and the witness need to have foreign passports?
And my second question: should the release in Russian be identical in content to the release in English?
Regarding the first question:
No, it is not necessary at all.
Regarding the second:
Yes, in this case, it should be literally word-for-word.
How do I upload two model releases for one photo on iStockphoto?
In Photoshop (or any other program), combine the two releases into one image, since they were all in .jpg format anyway.
Can I submit photos from world championships, etc., as editorial? Or do I need a release?
(I photographed at the Sambo World Cup (but often the faces of the sambists are hardly visible), but the whole gang of referees is in the frame. And at the Russian Fitness Aerobics Cup, all team members’ faces are clearly visible, including children’s teams). If I send them the form via the Internet, can I ask them to sign it and send me a scan?
As an editorial, you can sell any photos for which you do not have a release. From competitions, from the streets, from everywhere. Photos from world championships can and should be submitted as editorial.
If you have releases, you can submit photos not as editorial, but you need to understand that the requirements for editorial photos are less strict, while releases must be obtained from absolutely everyone present in the photo, including people turned partially or even with their backs to the camera, if they can be recognized from that angle (for example, by a birthmark). Also, there should be no logos (even on athletes’ uniforms and walls) or recognizable brands in the frame.
Regarding sending the release online, you still need to send it in scanned form, so your option is quite acceptable.
If I am a makeup artist collaborating with photographers, what form should I use? I believe I need to create two documents: 1. For the photographer – a model release, 2. For me, along with the photographer, confirming that I have the right to publish and use these photos for my portfolio and that the model agrees – we will sign it with the model and the photographer together?
Martina!
Do you do exclusive makeup? If so, then yes! You sign a property release stating that you are the author of the makeup and agree to publish it. It’s like with tattoos!
If you are just tidying up the models before the shoot, then you don’t need to sign anything.
Good luck!
I don’t understand the issue with the release: if there is a huge crowd of people spontaneously gathered for a flash mob and then planning to disperse quickly after, should we really be catching everyone for the release? That seems like science fiction!\r\n\r\nAnd what about shooting concerts?
Yes, you need releases from all people whose faces and recognizable body parts (notable and recognizable birthmarks, scars, tattoos) appear in the frame.\nBut I have a counter question: if you are photographing, for example, a flash mob, why not sell the shot as editorial?
You wrote, “you can download the Model Release form from the stock photo site.”
I searched the entire BigStockPhoto page and could not find such a file. I also did not see where to upload photos with the Model Release. There is a warning, “Do not use this form to upload Model Release,” but where should I upload the Model Release?
Thank you!
Anatoly, releases are uploaded on the page >>http://www.bigstockphoto.com/account/uploads/releases/
You can get the release forms here:
* Adult Model Release Form >>http://www.bigstockphoto.com/pdf/model-release.pdf
* Minor Model Release Form >>http://www.bigstockphoto.com/pdf/minor-model-release.pdf
* Property Release Form >>http://www.bigstockphoto.com/pdf/property-release.pdf
Photos are uploaded separately, then you link the release to them.
Good luck!