Model Release Forms

[samirah]

Hey Guys,

Just wondering if anyone can help me out with Model Release Forms. Is it better to keep it simple or add lots of detail? Must a witness sign the release? Can anyone post or pass some links to some good release forms? I am starting out in the industry and want to play by the rules, let me know what you think.

Thanks

[Marko]

You can easily google photography model release forms and get tons of samples.

Personally, I think the shorter the better. CERTAINLY not more than 1 page.
IMO opinion the key clause needs to be that the model gives up all rights to the photograph in exchange for something. That something can be cash or copies of the photographs.

Hope that helps,

Marko

[tegan]

One example of a link to a model release form is ww.istockphoto.com but as Marko said there are several versions around. Depending on the type of photography that you are doing, you may want to take a look at when releases are necessary and when they are not.

Apparently for artistic photography as in images that go up in a gallery, model releases are not necessary.

Property releases by the way are generally not required since property cannot be copyrighted anyway.

Tegan

[samirah]

Thanks for the info guys!