Newbie question model release

[InskiP]

I finished up school before having my baby and am finally getting back into photograpy and digital imaging. I mostly like to shoot people, especially babies and children and I want to start working on my portfolio. I have access to lots of children through a MOMS club that I belong to, so there's lots of potential models for me around. I thought about putting in an add in our newsletter but don't want to get bombarded. I have a couple of kids in mind. Does anyone have any advice for as to what approach to take w/ the parents? I feel awkward asking them to sign a model release for their kids, but I know I have ot get over this...Most of the model releases that I've seen basically say that the photographer is the copyright holder and can basically do what ever they want w/ the picture...Maybe I'm not fully understanding the terminology. I just think the parents may have a problem w/ this. My main goal is to obtain pics for my portfolio. I don't necessarily want to sell the pics, however, you never know...I enjoy doing those hand tinted BW pics of kids that you see on greeting cards and someday I might have one that's good enough to sell. I just don't know how all this works w/ the model.

Of course. I would give the parents some prints.

Guidence anyone???

[mbze430]

Model release form for minors requires the guardience to sign it. It's pretty much the same format.

[robertwgross]

Here is the deal.

You ask the club members who wants to get their baby photographed.

When you have somebody ready, you have them sign the release. It will state that they are the parent of the minor child (named) and they give you full permission to photograph the child, and that you are the copyright holder of the photograph. Have them enter their name, address, and email address. Tell them that you will send them an electronic image file for free, and they can use it however they wish. No strings attached. Don't send them a super high resolution image file.

When you send them the file, you can (if you wish) tell them that you can produce a photo print of various sizes, and you will do it at cost (or whatever you want), and that it will be based on the super high resolution that your camera did. Then, if they do want something, you can either print it yourself or else take it to Walmart/Ritz/Target and have it printed there.

---Bob Gross---

[InskiP]

Does having them sign the model release stating that I'm the copyright holder give me the right to sell the picture in the future??? How does this work w/ the model? Like I said before, it isn't necessarily my goal to sell these pictures, and the opportunity may never arise, however, I'd like to know where I stand in case it does...

[mbze430]

Inskip, a well written one will give you exclusive rights to sell prints without given them a dime if that's what you are saying. It's all how you write it.

Make sure you have it signed with a "witness". you'll need a 3rd party signature.

[Longwatcher]

Inskip, a well written one will give you exclusive rights to sell prints without given them a dime if that's what you are saying. It's all how you write it.

Make sure you have it signed with a "witness". you'll need a 3rd party signature.

Just for trivia, in the commonwealth (state) of Virginia you must provide some form of compensation to the model (or their guardian) if you wish to profit from the photos (other then selling them back to the subject). $1 or its equivilant is considered the minimum (an 8x10 print, lunch or a CD of the images will also work as compensation).

Without that minimum, the contract (read as Model Release) is not a valid contract.

Virginia state law also states that once the model turns 18 (becomes an adult) they have a "reasonable" period of time to inform the photographer that the release is no longer valid. You don't have to go hunt up old photos, but you can't sell any more. Reasonable appears to be between 12 and 18 months from their birthday.

Or so I have read and been given to understand. Could apply in other states/countries as well. So no matter how well written, there must be some compensation for the model at least in my state and maybe others.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, seek one for current accurate information.