How to keep track of model releases?

[RTMiller]

I would very much like to know how the professionals here keep track of model releases and the pictures to which they pertain. How do you file them? Do you store pictures for which you have a release in separate folders on your computer? Do you make EXIF data notations?

It seems to me that tracking would not be such a big issue with photo shoots in the studio. You get a release signed and you file it away. But what about that casual picture you took on the street. You get a release signed. What is your system so that five years down the road, you know that "Picture354782" has a signed release and you know where the physical release is?

Am I needlessly complicating this whole concept? I just don't want to reinvent the wheel. Thanks in advance.

[PhotosGuy]

Do you store pictures for which you have a release in separate folders on your computer? No. They go in a folder with the clients name-location-date.

Do you make EXIF data notations? It's in the pic file, no?

What is your system so that five years down the road, you know that "Picture354782" has a signed release and you know where the physical release is? Clients name-location-date goes on the release.

As a backup, take a shot of the signed release & give the file an R suffix. "name-location-date-R" There are probably 40 other ways to do it, too! ;)

[Halliday]

I scan the release. The paper copy goes in the filing cabinet, the file goes in the folder with the photos.