Glam photoshoot coming up: any tips for the newb?

Exactly Halcyon. This is my first glam/portrait shoot. I want to make the most out of it. I am not concerned by the fact that I will not be able to use any pictures for sale (as I do not intend to sell them anyway), but rather as a practice session for future upcoming shoots.

She specifically mentioned it even before our agreement, so I think its only fair for both parties that we stick to that agreement. I'm happy in this case, and so will she if I keep my word.

I will speak to her about maybe including the best 1 or 2 photos in my portfolio however, given that I will not release her pictures to public.

Mark_Cohran wrote in post #5286023
Kurt is right. There's no point in shooting if you can't use the photos. I get full releases from all my models. Usually they sign before the session starts, but no way do they get any image until the release is signed.

When you get your models to sign the form, are they worried by the fact that "the photographer is able to use your pictures for any purpose he/she wants"?

If I was a model, I would certainly think twice about signing release forms....so how does it actually work? What do the models get out of it if you can sell her photos?

keegsmeister wrote in post #5291077
When you get your models to sign the form, are they worried by the fact that "the photographer is able to use your pictures for any purpose he/she wants"?

If I was a model, I would certainly think twice about signing release forms....so how does it actually work? What do the models get out of it if you can sell her photos?

I use standard model releases based on ASMP Professional Business Practices in Photography. All standard model releases that are unmodified allow the photographer to use the photos for anything. That's an industry standard. If a model doesn't want to sign that, then she probably shouldn't be modeling.

^what he said...

Mark_Cohran wrote in post #5297729
I use standard model releases based on ASMP Professional Business Practices in Photography. All standard model releases that are unmodified allow the photographer to use the photos for anything. That's an industry standard. If a model doesn't want to sign that, then she probably shouldn't be modeling.

I see, so as a model, where does the financial gain come in? Do they get royalties to the photos you sell of them? Or somewhere else?

keegsmeister wrote in post #5298854
I see, so as a model, where does the financial gain come in? Do they get royalties to the photos you sell of them? Or somewhere else?

I pay my models up front, either with cash, or a copy of the files with a limited license for use of the images in her portfolio, or both. Sometimes they will ask me for prints, and we negotiate around that. I've never paid a model royalties for images that I set up, shot, retouched, published, etc. She or he is an independent contractor that I hire to help me complete a creative vision. If they want royalties, they need to move to the other side of the camera.

I think the situation you're currently describing is quite different. The model in this case is more of a client. She wants to control the distribution of the image. In a case like this, it's quite legitimate to modify a release such that you both get some benefit from it or drop the release altogether and draw up a short contract that describes what you both receive from the session. However, in my opinion, if she is a client you need to get something of value from the session. For you that may be experience, but I would at least request some token amount of money or barter to cover your time. One option I've used with a few models in the past is that I will do the session and provide the images on DVD or CD with no release in return for a future session in which the model will sign a release. This allows you to do essentially a test with the model and use her for a future shoot at no cost with a signed release.

What you do need to do is place a value on your time and creative effort.

Mark_Cohran wrote in post #5300265
I think the situation you're currently describing is quite different. The model in this case is more of a client. She wants to control the distribution of the image. In a case like this, it's quite legitimate to modify a release such that you both get some benefit from it or drop the release altogether and draw up a short contract that describes what you both receive from the session. However, in my opinion, if she is a client you need to get something of value from the session. For you that may be experience, but I would at least request some token amount of money or barter to cover your time. One option I've used with a few models in the past is that I will do the session and provide the images on DVD or CD with no release in return for a future session in which the model will sign a release. This allows you to do essentially a test with the model and use her for a future shoot at no cost with a signed release.

What you do need to do is place a value on your time and creative effort.

Okay it now makes 100% sense to me, thanks so much for your time Mark

keegsmeister wrote in post #5306315
Okay it now makes 100% sense to me, thanks so much for your time Mark

You're quite welcome. Good luck with your shoot.