Model Releases: Easing the pain on getting them

Model can read the release before signing

These are tips on how to get model releases and what I do to obtain them.

Let's start with first how you ask for a person to sign a model release.  Less is more when asking someone to sign a model release. 

I always start with the reason I am making the photos. I am here at the university helping them with their recruiting materials.  Would you mind me taking your photo?

Once they say yes then I follow up with question two. Would you mind signing a model release that gives the university permission to use your photo? 

At this point I find it best to not open the can of worms.  I let them open the can of worms if necessary.  95% of the time people will sign the model release.

For those less than 5% I usually talk about what their signature allows the university to do with the photos and what most likely could be some possible uses of the photos.  "The school will put these into their database of photos and then use them for things like their website, recruiting printed materials, posters, billboards and maybe as part of a TV ad for example." 

This is example of the model release on your device

At this point I have only had a handful of people in my career ever say no to giving permission to use their photo.

What not to do

I have been with a couple of my clients that they wanted to handle getting the model releases signed. Many use a similar technique that I outlined above, however I have had a couple who do a better job of talking people out of signing a release than talking them into signing one.

"We are here today doing a photo shoot for the school.  Stanley here is the photographer working with us to make these photos.  He does a great job of getting great images for us. We have a model release we would like you to sign. The model release gives the school the right to use the photo in anyway that we choose.  We may use it in the recruiting materials or on a billboard."

Here is where it falls apart

"You won't see your photo published just anywhere.  You will not see it somewhere else on the web.  You won't see it in some other publication not associated with the school.  By the way the teacher doesn't have to sign this we already have you sign an agreement that gives us permission to make these photos without your permission."

Model can sign with their finger

As you can see the person thought they were being helpful, but in the process of talking actually brought up all the reasons they hadn't even been thinking about.  Then they helped nail it with the fact that the institution was mistreating the professor.  Who wants to help a group like that?  I wouldn't.

Now that you know how to ask for a signature on a model release what should you use?

It affects expressions

Your asking for permission to make a photo and asking for a release can help expressions or hurt them.  Do it right and you will make everyone feel like this is their special day.  They are being treated like a movie star.

Do it the wrong way and you will have people wishing you were not there.  This is where they are this time of day all the time and why are you here?  You are bothering them and they want you to leave.

You can see this in their expressions--even if they signed the release they will not be as positive if you do it the wrong way.

What to use 

I personally have been using the pocket release, which I modified from the American Society of Media Photographers.  Their legal counsel came up with forms and so many photographers have been using them through the years. Click here for a link to their website which gives you all you need to know about the model and property release.

I put 4 of the pocket release forms on a page and print them one 8.5" x 11" card stock and have them cut into smaller sheets.

Which language should I use?  Click here for examples.

You can then send an email with it attached as a PDF and JPEG

Easy Release App

This past week I got an iPad and have been exploring all that it will do.  If you download an App the App store then will recommend more Apps for you based on what you have already downloaded.  I got a recommendation for the Easy Release.

You don't need an iPad for this App.  You can put it on just about any Smart Phone or Tablet as long as they are Android or an iPhone/iPad.

The App generates a PDF and a JPEG of the model release.  I love this because then I can put many of these PDFs into one larger PDF and upload this to my PhotoShelter Image Database.  The client has a copy now of the model releases along side the photos.

When I first started reading I was hoping for a simple release and a way for the person to sign the release only.  You can do even more.  You can now have the longer verbiage form or modify it to what you and your lawyer deem necessary.  You can take a photo with your Smart Phone or iPad and attach it to the model release.

The Easy Release model release has more information than I was gathering earlier.  I have longer form, their information typed (I can now read it), a signature and a photo of them all on one document that I can then email to them or anyone.

I do think in some situations it might be more feasible to pass out forms to a large room of folks to sign than passing around your iPad, but I do think I prefer the final model release of the Easy Release over all others I have ever used before.

So if you are hesitant about getting those releases because it is difficult to remember to carry those forms—they are now always with you on your phone or iPad.

Robert Giroux is the founder and CEO of Easy Release and is the Senior Media Management Systems Specialist at National Geographic Society. Photographer with over twenty-four years experience in editorial and commercial shoots who's clients have included Newsweek, Time, AFP, Reuters and Getty Images among many others. Over eight years on staff with Getty Images in various roles including chief photographer and designer of the photo-editing software currently in use by their editorial division.

Moran Belford is the software developer and a consultant at Gis. Belford is a veteran mobile, web and desktop software developer and founder of Snikkr, Inc. 

Here is a PDF of the press release about the software.