Project help

[bernard0368]

I am about to set myself a challange in the form of a project. It is my intention to photograph a section of society in their home enviroment (how to get people will be challange in itself). With the photographs I want them to tell me the story of how they got where they are now. I think this has the potential to be great or a complete disaster. As I have never done anything like this before and wont know any of the models what do I need to look out for and take into consideration (if it turns out to be great I may wish to do a exhibition :lol:). Any advise would be great thanks.

[amfoto1]

I would ask each person photographed to sign a proper model release (in the case of a minor, that would be a parent or guardian with authority to sign on their behalf). That way you would be free to use the images in other ways, should it become desirable to do so in the future.

It's often not necessary to have a model release for photographs shown in a gallery, or even limited edition print sales. However, in some cases it is, and if, for example, you ever wanted to publish a book, or run ads showing one of the images to promote the exhibition or book, or ever wanted to make products incorporating the images (coffee mugs, mouse pads, t-shirts, posters) or use the image in commercial/advertising context, you would need the release.

There is also some potential need for a release even in an editorial context (which includes a gallery exhibition), if you are shooting within the person's private residence and they are posing for the photos under your direction.

The release you use should also provide for modification and alteration of the image, if there is any possibility you would do that, and for any descriptive captions that might be linked to the photos.

I'd suggest you pick up a copy of "The Law - In Plain English - For Photographers" and study it carefully.

[bernard0368]

Thanks Amfoto,

You mentioned that the model release should include for any modification of the image, that would not include normal pp would it. I intend to put a little bio with each photograph I was going to get the model to sign of on this as implications could be dangerous (benefits wise) for the model if I mess it up.