Tips for building portfolio?

[Jason401]

Hi,

I'm just curious how a beginner builds a portfolio. I'm guessing friends and family?

Does every photo you put on your website have to have a release? What if it's not of a person? Like a building or a bridge?

I'm not a pro, just curious that's all. I like to learn about this stuff.

Thanks!

[kinyocase]

photos of people are usually safe as long as a) you're not making money b) anybody else can see them in plain public. However it's aways best to get a model release from somebody prior to taking the images of them. Buildings and a bridge are a different topic because you can't really get a release from them. As long as it's a public landmark you should be okay. There are many others who will hopefully chime in with more details answers.

[Jason401]

Ahh, I see. So if you aren't selling the actual photo, you don't have to have a release. I guess that's what I was confused on.

Thanks for the reply and the info...much appreciated.

[kinyocase]

It's not just down to if you're not selling it. It also has to do with personal privacy, or if the photo is used in some form of slander. You can't take a picture of an "individual taking meds and putting a caption on the photo in the lines of my favorite drug addict" <-referenced from a read I had yesterday. If the individual can't be seen by everybody then you have no right to take the photo because it's an invasion of privacy. Using the image as marketing would also require model release. It isn't cut and dry not selling but also involves making any money what so ever off the photo.

Took this from another site reguarding what photographs have rights to.

"V. People can be photographed if they are in public (without their consent) unless they have secluded themselves and can expect a reasonable degree of privacy. Kids swimming in a fountain? Okay. Somebody entering their PIN at the ATM? Not okay. "

Check your PM