Under 18

[Jackal]

Well, I took really good pictures of a good friend of mine and she's 18. Her friends saw them (they're 17) and they love how the pictures came out and they want me to take pictures of them.

These are normal portraits outside and no weird sexual stuff. Just nice portraits.

What should I do to make sure I don't get into any weird trouble. Get the parents to sign a release of some sort? Even though I'm not going to do anything else with the pictures other than just let them have it.

Or, what if I want to sell it to her (the one that wants her picture taken). Do I need anything special?

[tim]

Personally, with someone under 18, i'd require them to bring one of their parents along, or someone reliable that the parents trust. If you plan to sell the pics to them rather than give them to them, i'd draw up a contract. If you want to use the pictures in your advertising or on your website, you'll need a model release.

[Digital Prophet]

Any portrait (or other shoot) should involve having a release signed. There are SO MANY threads here on the topic of releases. But I CANNOT stress how important this is where minors are concerned.

Please do not take this as anything but me really trying to stress the point: Photographing a minor with parental consent is foolish. You have to be aware of how sensitive some people are. Now in your case 17 may be the legal age in your state. In which case she can sign her own release. Check the law.

Your best bet is that if she isn't legal then offer her mother (not the father) a print of the daughter. After she starts gushing over how lovely it is bring up the topic of the release. And make certain that release has the minor's information as well as the signing guardian.

And in the future do as previously advised and ALWAYS have a gaurdian present when shooting a minor. ALWAYS. No "if" "and" or "but" about it. Doing otherwise is a good way to find yourself sued or arrested.

- Digital Prophet -

[tim]

Photographing a minor with parental consent is foolish.

Do you mean without parental consent?

[C.S.I.]

Do you mean without parental consent?


;)

[DocFrankenstein]

Are you a girl?
Would something like this be considered a shoot?
What relationship are you in with parents?

Due to the age difference and bearing in mind your relationship with the persons being photographed...

[Digital Prophet]

Yeah I meant WITHOUT. I can't type. But it's ok because I am also illiterate.

The second problem makes the first easier to live with.

- Digital Prophet -

[Jackal]

No, I'm not a girl hehe.

This girl that wants her picture taken isn't someone I know. In fact, I've never seen her in person ever. I think I might just stay away from the whole under 18 thing for now. I don't feel like dealing with someone's parents right now. :)

But thanks for the info. It's good to know.

[MTalley]

I've been doing senior portraits this spring and selling the photos to the family. In all cases, my wife assists me and I usually insist that at least one of the child's parents are present if the child is under 18. So far, it has worked out that way.

Also, in order to "legally" sell them prints, I've gone ahead and purchased a business license for my locality (in our state, at least, it takes 3 minutes and about $15). Also, to keep everything on the up and up, I applied to the state for a sales tax ID number. That part was free, online and painless.

So far, by customer request, I've provided inkjet prints. However, if I want to start a relationship with our local pro lab to get prints made at reasonable prices, I have to have the business license and sales tax ID.

As the only places my photos go are to the customer (I don't post them online, etc.), I haven't bothered with any releases. It probably helps that all my customers so far are close friends.

[tim]

The second problem makes the first easier to live with.


Haha :D