Understanding when and why model and property releases need to be used for stock images is critical.
Stock Release Q+A
What's a Release?
A release is a brief contract that clearly indicates that a person or property owner has granted the photographer permission to use his or her likeness or property in an image, usually to be used for commer-cial purposes. Once signed by both parties, this document is usually legally binding and serves to prove that the proper authorizations have been granted. Privacy and publicity laws are state laws and vary among different jurisdictions.
What kinds of Releases are there?
There are two basic kinds of releases. MOdel (or Talent) Releases are needed for any recognizable people in your images, including friends and family. A variation for Minors needs to be signed by parent or guardian if the subject is under 18 years of age. The second type is a Property Release. These are needed to publish images of certain property and works protected by trademark.
What's in a Release?
Release forms should be designed with clear, everyday language that the model or property owner can understand. If you're traveling, you need to take releases in the local language. There needs to be some sort of "valuable consideration" given as compensation for the right to photograph the subject, usually in the form of a fee and/or services, which is clearly noted on the release. Also, it's important that releases clearly relinquish further claims by the model or property owner, including all claims to further payments and rights as to how the images will be used.
Do all images need to be released?
While images can generally be licensed for editorial purposes without a release, you limit your ability to market them if you do not obtain a release, since they are required for people and places that appear in photographs for commercial uses (like ads, brochures and point-of-sale). Also, keep in mind many stock image distribution outlets do not accept unreleased images. Bottom line, be aware that without obtaining releases, you greatly limit the marketing options for your images, as well as unnecessarily expose yourself to potential liability with the subject of your image if they ever object to the way it is used.
Stock Release Forms
How do I get Release forms?
Getty Images, the world's largest stock distributor, has generously posted their standard release forms to the public page of their contributor web site, making them available for all photographers to download and use.
Adult Model Releases
Minor Model Releases
Property Releases
These forms are available in 11 languages as downloadable PDFs.
US English
UK English
German
French (2 versions)
Spanish
Italian
Brazilian
Japanese
Chinese
Australian
New Zealand
Forms are posted here, along with additional information.
www.gettyimages.com/contributors
Take link to "Getty Images Model and Property Releases"
Note: These forms were developed by Getty Images for photographers and filmmakers working with the company. Individual photographers may want to customize these forms depending on your individual business requirements. THis information is posted as a service of SAA and does not constitute legal advice.
