Photography Books

I am in the process of making a book featuring one town. I have several photo's with random subjects walking around ... and my question is ... do you need a signature from random folks if you are making a book to sell? The focus of these shots are not the individuals, but the landscape, scenery or businesses and events.

I did find this subject covered in another thread but it was about head shots of street people (on another forum). They said yes, you had to have a signed release for those. I'm not even sure about that .. so if anyone has experience in this venue I would appreciate your educated feedback!

Thank you in advance

Your lawyer would tell you yes, just to be covered. Can a viewer of any of the images make out any particular likeness of any of the subjects in the shots?

Thank you for the response. Yes, you can make out faces in most of the pictures. Unfortunately, many of these shots were taken within the past three years. I doubt I would be able to find these individuals. I suppose I should ask a lawyer first just to be on the safe side.

I'm not an attorney but people in public areas are fair game. There have been many court cases where people have flied lawsuits after being photographed in public places and they have always lost.

DanThoman wrote in post #12535043
I'm not an attorney but people in public areas are fair game. There have been many court cases where people have flied lawsuits after being photographed in public places and they have always lost.

Thank you for your input .. I never gave it a thought over the years taking pictures, but now that it comes down to photo's in a book for "sale" I have to question this. Good to know that those lawsuits didn't go anywhere, but I imagine just being sued could scar a photographers reputation (somewhat). Or ... perhaps it would make you more popular! Who knows in this world we live in.

I do appreciate the comments ... thank you again

One of the things I'm learning right now in my full-time gig is that if you work hard enough, you're more than likely going to get sued at some point even if you had nothing to do with the act claimed. One name, Charles Gentile!