Starting out - Doing free sessions - Do I need a contract?

I have started booking some free e-sessions as well as some family pictures. All of this is through word of mouth. I've offered to take their photos in return for a copy of the digital prints.

My understanding is that in this situation, I will NOT need a model release since there is no commercial activity involved.

I would only use their pictures to post online in my blog/portfolio.

However, is there any other type of contract that I need to provide? Or do I really just show up and take pictures?

Whats an e-session? Im not familiar with the term

an e-session is an engagment picture session.

I think you need a model release for any type of photograph (commercial or not) where there are identifiable faces in your photograph. That said I think it dependson your local laws, as well as the context...then there is are property releases, too, to gain permission from the owner of the private household or location (if not in a public place) to commercially sell the prints.

Model Releases: It`s a pretty simple form and signature that doesn`t normally require legal representation or signature, other than that a terms and agreement to their direction for the usage of the images and your rights to them, along with theirs.

Thats the 2 major ones you need.

You should require the couple to sign model releases in exchange for your services if you're going to do them for free. This will allow you to use the images to promote your business. If you don't, you're not really getting anything for your time other than to say you took someone's picture.

Be sure to get a separate model release signed for each individual.

No other contract is really needed.