Property release needed for hotel room shoots?

I've done a search, but found nothing specific to this question....

 

Early next year, I'll be doing a series of nude figure and glamour

location shoots. Among the locations I'll be using are one or two

bed & breakfast inns. The shoots will be done in a room or suite,

with no direct reference whatsoever to the building exterior or

surrounding structures, the name of the property, the location of

the property, etc.

 

The primary use of the images will be for my portfolio and web site.

However, some of the figurative work may be exhibited and sold. Of

course, I'll have releases from the models.

 

My question is this: is a property release from the owner of the inn

necessary?

 

Thanks

No release is necessary.

Now if the hotel were easily recognized in the photo, then maybe.

Are you planning on these being commercially used "stock" images? If you the answer is

that is "yes", the answer to your question is likely to be

yes in that case --because the stock agency and client might require them.

Thanks Kevin and Ellis -

 

Ellis: no, the images from these sessions will not be sold or used as stock or for any similar commercial use. The use of the images is restricted as noted in the original post.

Perhaps I should clarify that by saying some of the nude figures will be sold means they will be sold to private persons via art shows and/or gallery sales and auctions.

 

The majority of backgrounds in my figure work are solid or have such shallow DOF as to be unregocognizable and certainly not identifiable.

 

My main concern as to whether or not a release is needed is that small portions of the room may be visible and recognizable - albeit as nothing more than a furnished room - in the glamour work.

You'd be best protected to document the permission from the B&B to

photograph there, especially if your activity at the B& B is disruptive. It's not

really a property release that you need, but it will work because it will

document that you had permission.

 

Generally, you don't need property releases unless there are trespassing or

trademark concerns. Nevertheless, many stock agencies require them just to

avoid potential hassles.

I have done non-nude shoots in B&B's and got property releases. They will be concerned if it portrays their B&B in a negative light, but be honest and pay for the room and ask for the release. When in doubt, I always get a release. If down the road you want to sell the images somwhere else, then having the release might come in handy.