Release

Question, I am starting to put together a portfolio and will be taking pics for free for a bit until I get my portfolio and skills in order. I was wondering if any of you have a release signed by your clients so that you can use their images for promotional purposes?

And if so where would I find a sample of that kind of release?

Thanks

You might want to call it a "Agreement".

And always get the release before the shoot starts. That way, you don't forget & if someone doesn't want to sign, you can shoot someone else.

OutreachEP Forms:
http://www.editorialph​oto.com/resources/

Model Releases: Sample Forms That Protect Photographers
On page 2:
Getty Images adult model release
Getty Images minor model release
Corbis Images model release

Getty Images USA Adult Release
http://contributors.ge​ttyimages.com …model_release_0​406_US.pdf

There are different releases used with professional models, and even more detailed and carefully worded ones to use with glamour/nude.

I'm not entirely a fan of the "stock photo site" releases. For obvious reasons, they are geared toward stock usages. Depending upon your particular usages, you might want to modify what you find at the stock sites.

Last time I Googled "model release" I think I got about 1,000,000 sites. I looked at probably 25 or so and put together my own. I didn't want to carry three or foru different ones, so I combined a model release, minor model release and property release into one. This is mostly so I don't have to ask people to fill out more than one form any more often than necessary.

There are some really simple "plain English, pocket releases" around, that might be sufficient. I've never felt entirely comfortable with them, though.

A lot of people like and use the ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) release.

Frank makes a very good point...

My release says "Permission to Photograph" in big letters at the top, with a subheading that says "Model & Property Release" (still quite large and eye catching). People just seem more comfortable giving permission, than signing a release. It's all semantics, but may make a difference.

Keep in mind that for any release to be valid, you must compensate the model or the owner of the property. That can take the form of a free 8x10, or a $1 bill, so long as there is actual compensation. I usually do a free print for speculative work.

Oh, by the way, all my contracts are headed with the word "Agreement", as Frank suggested. More semantics.