Which 'releases' do I need as a freelance photographer?

[ksp]

<p>Hello all,<br>

I am asking the question simply to ensure I don't miss anything now and/or in the future. I shoot mainly portraits & sports but have done some website work for a couple of companies as well. On the side, I am currently building an actor/model portfolio on a TF* basis. I'm not sure if there is any other info you may require, but what I am looking for is a website with current info and/or list of the types of releases I should have in my possession?<br>

I use photos on my website, in brochures or advertising pieces, and a few have been published in magazines. I know very little about one-time-use and limited use agreements so any help you can provide would be very much appreciated? Also, I live in Canada so naturally, Canadian information would be appreciated for any specific issues.<br>

Regards,<br>

Ken</p>

 

[andrew_gale]

<p>I would suggest a 2ft electronic, a 12ft electronic and a 36inch syringe style cable.<br>

Silly me, you mean model releases. I would do a search in the forums, this question comes up on an almost daily basis.</p>

[danny_wong2]

<p>If you are using their images for promoting your business then there is a limted release for this purpose only.<br>

The catch is whether this limited release covers magazine publishing. You can always add that onto the terms<br>

If you are selling the images and getting real money paid for it then a wider release is needed to cover that fact that you will be generating income from it and there has to be "monatory" consideration given to the party signing the release.<br>

Since you are working with actos and model why not start with the relase that their rep or agency uses and add your additional usage release requirements.<br>

DISCLAIMER<br />Not a laywer, advise only worth what you have paid me in consideration. Have not conducted Bsiness in QC which has a different set of laws.</p>

[ksp]

<p>I've checked the forums here but couldn't find any that specifically 'list' the names of the forms/releases I require? Once I have those, I'm okay as I know they would need to be worded to cover my specific areas of concern. I just want to ensure I am covering all my bases as they say. Eg. List of the different types of model releases (for TF*, paid work, publishing, limited use, etc. etc) and anything that should DEFINITELY be included in them...or better left out (for my protection)?</p>

[mikael_karlsson]

<p>Ken:</p>

<p>Unless in an ad, photo usage in books, newspapers, magazines etc are "editorial" (in the US) and no releases are needed. If your photos are used to promote or sell a product or service, a signed release should be obtained by you from the model. I've been shooting in the US since 1998 and am routinely published in federal publications, books published by the big, national bopokpublishers etc. Not once during all these years has a photo researcher asked for a release. And I photograph police, prisons, forensics etc, some fairly sensitive stuff!</p>

<p>Danny:<br>

Sorry bud but you are completely wrong. If the photographer makes money or not has zero impact on if a release is or isn't needed. </p>

[craig_gillette]

<p>I'm not sure what the Canadian legalities are but would suggest that in addition to those types of releases, if you intend to sell to stock agencies, etc., that you review their requirements. Those requirements may exceed the actual legal requirements but if you don't meet their internal requirments, then they may likely not be as willing to deal with the images.</p>

[hjoseph7]

<p>I would think you probably need a Model release for the Portraits and sports spefying what can be and what can't be done with the images. Some photographers use one general release for everything. While others break it down into categories, such as Adult, Child, Sports etc.</p>

[mikael_karlsson]

<p>Folks,</p>

<p>Seriously, it all depends if the pics are top be use commercially pr editorially - not to be confused with if the photographer gets paid pr not. I license on average between 50 and 75 images per m,month of crooks being busted for various reasons, meth houses, child endangerment etc..</p>

<p>Releases? Never an issue and I work with the biggest book publishers of the book industry in the US on a very frequent level. Because I only license my work to be used editorially.</p>

<p>I've been working with several distinguished lawyers on publishing a book on this issue - practical legal advice for the stock photographer, and hopefully sometime we'll have one in the bag!</p>

<p>Mike</p>

[philfx]

<p>Mikael, I think your book would have greater value if you speak specifics for specific catagories of photography. There is plenty general info on the web and all the gov sites, but if you make it a series covering different catagories with specifc situations...I will buy your first copy ;-)</p>

[ksp]

<p>Thanks all for the feedback! I've got a little better understanding of my requirements, however seeing as this topic seems to come up often it would be nice if this site was able to somehow list all the different types of 'forms' (?) that a photographer may require throughout their career and a little bit about each of their uses, etc. I've found it very difficult to go back through hundreds of posts to find the info I'm looking for...a popular topic should have it's own link because I would imagine that if I had enough time to dig through all those posts I would have my answers 'specifically' (not to take away from what you've all provided here), but the reality is I don't have that much time - as with most of us I spend most of my time on the computer POST PROCESSING! LOL<br>

Anyway, I think I'll head down to the library and find a good book on the topic of Canadian legal forms and see what I come up with?<br>

Thanks again all...really appreciate your time.<br>

Cheers,<br>

Ken</p>