Asking a stranger to sign a model release.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/14/2004 07:03:52 PM · #1

Well stepped into the deep end, used my new home-made pocket model releases today. Young gentleman was at the local historical park all dressed in costume and I not only took a few pictures but asked for and got a model release. Tough to approach a stranger somewhat. Anyone out there have hints, tips, or best and worst experience?

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

07/14/2004 07:12:06 PM · #2

I use a model release that I made up which is about half model release and half "give me your e-mail address and I'll mail you a shot if any turn out well". I have yet to have anyone turn it down. The wording on the relaese is soft enough that it might not stand up in court if I sold the image to a major advetiser, but it is general enough and non legalese, so people can grasp that they aren't giving up more than they might get if the shots work well.

graphicfunk

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/14/2004 07:14:02 PM · #3

I use them all the time with the work at OneModelPlace.com. However, the release is good if you ever plan to sell the photos or use them in any other way whereby a claim could be made.

However, the release is not required for personal use or non-profit endeavors. That is, you can photograph a stranger and show it on your site, etc. The worst that can happen is that if they get wind of it and they did not like the image, they may ask you to take it down. Now, if you take a good shot and you decide to say let DPC make and sell prints, then the release is mandatory.

Do not be affraid to ask for a release, people are generally flattered if they feel the pic does them justice.

Ecce_Signum

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

07/14/2004 07:25:18 PM · #4

hmm, I've so far not delved into the candid area but would like to. I read on dpc that if you take a pic of a sportsman/women you don't need to get a release, but what if you get an identifiable image of a spectator in the background at a football match - how would you get a release from them if they were on the other side of the pitch? or even on the otherside of a river? just thinking aloud but would be interested to hear what lengths peeps go to for a release they may not need.

Jacko

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

07/14/2004 07:26:16 PM · #5

I have to get me one of those.

"1) show me your tiddies, 2) sign on the dotted line"

Spanish_Grease

Olympus C-4000Z

07/14/2004 07:34:53 PM · #6

Well said, Jacko. :-)

Lee

digistoune

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

07/14/2004 09:29:53 PM · #7

Originally posted by C-Fox:

So what's the wording on your release?

dsidwell

Canon EOS-5D

07/14/2004 09:44:48 PM · #8

I hereby agree to let David Sidwell make millions of dollars with my lovely face on the photograph just captured, while I agree to make nothing. ...? Something like this?

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/14/2004 09:46:55 PM · #9

Originally posted by dsidwell:

I hereby agree to let David Sidwell make millions of dollars with my lovely face on the photograph just captured, while I agree to make nothing. ...? Something like this?

You've captured the essence of the situation perfectly.

coolhar

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

07/15/2004 12:19:57 AM · #10

Originally posted by BrennanOB:

That's the kind of thing I wouldn't mind carrying around and asking a stranger to sign. How about sharing your model release BrennanOB?

C-Fox

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/15/2004 01:43:26 AM · #11

Originally posted by dsidwell:

I hereby agree to let David Sidwell make millions of dollars with my lovely face on the photograph just captured, while I agree to make nothing. ...? Something like this?

Something like that...

For valuable consideration, I hereby give Carol Fox, (the photographer) permission to use my picture and I authorize the use and reproduction of it by you, or anyone authorized by you. This includes any and all photographs which you have this day taken of me, for any purpose whatsoever, without further compensation to me. All negatives and positives, together with the prints shall constitute your sole property.

I am over 18 years of age. Yes _____ No _____ Date: ____________________

Print Name: _________________ Additional information:

Signature: __________________ ________________________

Email: _____________________ ________________________

_____________________________

Chiqui

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

07/15/2004 01:49:18 AM · #12

I have a book called "Business and Legal Forms for Photographers" and it has 31 forms on a CD and their explenation on the book. It includes a couple versions of the model realease. It's a great book, I haven't used any of the forms yet, but I will someday.

June

JudeLeo

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

07/15/2004 01:57:26 AM · #13

Originally posted by chiqui74:

who is the author? probably i can try to find it at Borders and have a look at it. thanks :)

mcrael

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D

07/15/2004 02:00:29 AM · #14

Now.... what confuses me, is the phrase "for valuable consideration" or "in consideration of". What exactly does that mean? To me, it means that the model would receive something in return from the photographer.

mcrael

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D

07/15/2004 02:03:31 AM · #15

I also find it difficult to approach strangers to a) take their picture and b) get their permission to use it by signing the model release form. I have actually succeeded in this though - I approached some kids and their parents at a local skateboard park, got many pictures and about 10 signed model releases! Now I just have to process my backlog of photos those and many of my other photography projects.....)

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/15/2004 02:07:13 AM · #16

There's also all kinds of legal books and forms (for "regular people" available at Nolo Press.

C-Fox

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/15/2004 02:09:05 AM · #17

Originally posted by mcrael:

I send them a link to their picture uploaded on the web. :-) They get the picture to view/download and I get the release form

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/15/2004 02:11:40 AM · #18

Originally posted by mcrael:

In a contract or sale, there is supposed to be an exchange, to prove that the claim was not relenquished under coercion. That's why you'll sometimes see land sold to or from a public entity for $1 -- so long as there is a "valuable consideration" it's considered up to the two parties to agree on a fair price ...

I think a model release falls under the same principle as a quit-claim deed, where a person gives up any possible property rights without recompense.

Chiqui

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

07/15/2004 02:27:53 AM · #19

Originally posted by JudeLeo:

Originally posted by chiqui74:
I have a book called "Business and Legal Forms for Photographers" and it has 31 forms on a CD and their explenation on the book. It includes a couple versions of the model realease. It's a great book, I haven't used any of the forms yet, but I will someday.

June

who is the author? probably i can try to find it at Borders and have a look at it. thanks :)

Tad Crawford

procyon

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

07/15/2004 08:35:02 AM · #20

Google is great!

//www.google.ca/search?q=model+release+sample&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&meta=

//www.e-model.net/info/mr.html
//art-support.com/pdf/model.pdf
//www.alabama.gov/utility/modelrelease.html
//www.evergreen.edu/photoland/Common/ASMP%20FILES/ASMPforms.pdf

MyD2

Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z2

07/15/2004 08:51:57 AM · #21

good info --i never though about this as i plan to try some local model in my area for some shots

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/15/2004 09:13:28 AM · #22

You might want to check out 'Legal Handbook for Photographers' by Bert P Krages, Esq from Amherst Media, available at Barnes and Nobles. It covers EVERYTHING from privacy and tresspassing to wildlife endangerment and national security.

It also includes the following release:
I, _[name]____, consent to be photographed on _[date]____, by _[your name]____ while _[description of context]____. I further authorize that the photographs may be published for any purpose and in any form.

He covers that art of 'street photography' in depth.

Trinch

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

07/15/2004 09:48:42 AM · #23

Just as an added tid-bit of advice. If you foresee a situation where you will be photographing minors (such as the skatepark), make sure to have a couple of self-addressed stamped envelopes. That way, if the parents aren't there, they can bring the release home and their parents can sign it and mail it to you.

Years ago, a film crew stopped me as I was riding my unicycle (yeah, I know). They filmed me riding down the street and gave me a release and envelope which I quickly had signed and returned. A month or two later, a short clip of me riding was shown during the opening credits of the local news every day for over a year.