Need Advise - Minor Model Release...

I'll be taking some photos and head shots of my friend's daughter (15yrs old) to submit into an modeling agency.

I'll be using her photos for my portfolio later on and may sell some of her photos as well, like when her friends wants to buy them.

So, here's my question. I know regardless that I know both the mom and the daughter, I should still have a model release form to protect myself. The mom will be present when we take the photos.

I've searched online and had found this release form
I'm not sure if this will be enough to cover me, or if I should edit something. If any of you Pros that have a model release form I can use, especially one that covers minors as well, please help me.

I really need your guidence and advice.

Much appreciated..
http://www.forces.gc.c​a …/Model_Release_​2006_e.pdf

In the US, which it says you are located, this release is a little weak. A release is a contract, and the strongest contracts spell out what both parties walk away with. Though this is a very vague release, it should be fine. If I were you, I would just edit in a section that outlined what you walk away with (her signing the release), and what she walks away with (something that can be assigned a value).

This can be as simple as:
In return for model's signature on this document, model shall be compensated with {2 8x10 prints, or photographer's studio time, or CD/DVD of high/low resolution images...etc..}.

Or something of that nature. Basically you want to show that the release was indeed a legal contract by both parties having traded things of value.

My release is a very lengthy hodgepodge of many releases I've found for use, and talking to a lawyer. But the one you have should be fine.

Hope this helped,
Bruce

hi bruce.. thank you for taking the time to reply to my post. yeah i know the release is pretty weak and your tip about adding the compensation part is good. actually i'll be giving her a CD of the original photos so she can print more later on if she chooses.

is there anything else i should look out for or perhaps add to?

Hmm..

Realize that the longer you make your release, and the more detailed it becomes, it becomes equally more intimidating to the person being photographed when it comes time to sign it.

Mine is just about a full page long. Usually I meet with my subject in advance and discuss what the release allows me to do *in full*. I explain the extremes by which I can use it if I so choose, but also explain what i INTEND to use the images for. I try to lay everything clearly on the table so that the people I work with don't feel mislead once the images are published. Reputation is more important than about anything else in photography, I've found.

I read through the whole document, and offer them a copy in my model/subject/client packet that I send home with them after a shoot. This typically includes: model instructions and tips for what I need from them, the model release, usage right agreement (seperate from the release) which spells out the rights granted for the images, and a location/event contract to contractually adhere them to what they expect of me, and what I expect of them. I give all of these items, in their finished form (minus shoot date) for them to take home and reread on their own time, so they have time to digest all the legal speak written into the contracts. Then they also have my card stapled to the top, to which I encourage them to call in advance if they have ANY questions. This means when it comes time for the shoot, they are ready to just sign away, knowing that the documents have been sorted through in advance.

If, for some reason I dont get a meeting beforehand, I upload the documents in .pdf or .doc form to my server, and email the links to the documents, with a walkthrough and encourage email/phone reply if there are any questions, again, allowing them time to sort through them all in advance.

So, having a very in depth release doesn't affect my needs so much. But I just want to point out that it can change some of how you do business, as long contracts ARE intimidating when they are placed in front of someone to be signed.

So, knowing mine is very long, some aspects that one of my minor releases includes that yours doesnt.... (though these points are made in long, legal language)

-Mine mentions that model may be represented in distorted character, and possibly under a fictitious or real name.
- Mine mentions that model is working as an independant contractor
- Mine mentions that the model waives their rights to inspect the final images, or inspect an media in which they are printed.
- Mine includes a liability clause that holds me harmless in how the images or publication they appear in affect the models reputation.

There are a few other things, but those are some biggons that mine has that your lacks. How important is it you include them? Probably not really important. Remember, my release is VERY long, and I go through the process above. About every one of those points has its own paragraph dedicated to it. Releases such as mine really can be intimidating, as I mentioned.

If I can help any more, please feel free to ask,
Bruce

thanks Bruce. i'll definitely check with you as i have more questions. thanks.