Release form needed?

[IA40D]

Well my question is if you are at a highschool or younger sporting event and take some action pictures is it ok to make these photos for sale online? Since it is a public place and in view for the public? Or do I need a release form to make these images for sale? Thanks

[DDCSD]

You do not need any releases signed at all.

You do need permission from the school or organizers to sell the photos. They can't legally stop you from selling photos that you have taken, but they can ask you to stop taking photos. They can also ask you to leave, or bar you from entering the event to stop you from taking the photos and selling them. If you do not comply, they can call the police and have you arrested for trespassing. This applies to "public" events.

Assuming the school or organizers are OK with you taking the photos and selling them, you do not need to worry about releases. The fact that it is a "public" event doesn't matter one way or the other.

[MJPhotos24]

As Derek mentioned you need permission from the school before just showing up uninvited. Some schools have contracts with photographers and it does not matter if a parent invited you or not. Some schools don't allow anyone to make any money from there students in any way. Some schools are very strict while others are far from it. Either way make sure you know the difference between "open to the public" and on "public property" because a school is not public property even though paid by taxpayers (not all).

The assumption is you mean to sell to parents, and then you don't need a release. You also don't need a release for any editorial sales (newspaper for example). You DO need a release if you want to throw them on a stock site where they could be used commercially.

[IA40D]

Ok so do I need to contact the school before going to the sporting event? Or if I plan to sell photos to the parents from the game being played do I not need to ask. Or do I just go to the event and see if they ask me to stop and comply with their wishes? Thanks for the input.

[tfd888]

You should always try to obtain permission from event organizers before hand.