An Online Guide to Stock Photography
Stock Photography of People: Model Releases
© Photographer: Eperceptions | Agency: Dreamstime.com
There are some important things to know about stock photography with people in the pictures though, so we'll cover those briefly here.
First and foremost: If you have one or more people in a photograph and you'd like to sell that photo through stock photography agencies, you must have a model release for each and every person recognizable in the picture.
This means if you have a picture with 5 people in it, you must have 5 different model releases for that one picture.
What is a model release? A model release is simply a brief piece of paper which says the model is allowing the photographer to sell pictures in which they're recognizable.
That's a mouthful, but it's extremely important. As we spoke of in earlier articles, stock photography is intended for use in advertising. And as such, there are legal issues that can arise from using photos which have people in them. These legal issues can arise from other things as well, such as logos, copyrighted designs, and other people's artwork. We won't cover those in this article though.
Generally, people have rights to their own images. So even though a photographer holds all copyrights to the photos they make, if those photos contain images of a person, that person must grant permission before the photographer can actually sell the photos.
It's something of a catch 22 situation actually too. Even though people hold the rights to their images, they're not able to legally own copyrights to photos taken of them by another photographer, because the photographer holds the rights to their photos. And photographers can't make money off of a person's image without that person's permission.
Because of these legal issues, all stock photography agencies require a model release before they'll accept any pictures with people in them. There are different requirements from one stock photography agency to another though. One might for example, require a model release if a distinctive tattoo or mole is showing in the picture, even though the person's face can't be seen. Other's only require model releases if the person's face can be seen - partially or in full.
Getting a model release is usually quite easy. It's simply one piece of paper, with legal wording on it that says the model is giving the photographer permission to sell the pictures taken of them. The model simply signs and dates the release. The photographer also signs and dates the release, and they have a third party sign as a witness. That model release must then be kept on file by the photographer, in case any questions arise in the future. Most stock photography agencies also require that the model release be uploaded, or submitted to them, when the specific photos of that person are submitted as well.
Most new photographer's are hesitant to ask people to sign a model release. An easy way to start getting more profitable people photos though, is to take pictures of family members. If you're a parent for instance, you could take professional stock quality photos of your children. Then you as the legal guardian of the child would sign your permission on the release.
You can also start with husbands and wives, aunts, uncles, mom, dad, or friends. You can even start getting a good stock portfolio of people shots built up using yourself as the model.
Regardless of how you start, you need to start taking stock photos of people. People stock photography can be one of the most lucrative ways to earn money from your photographs, and model releases are just a standard business requirement.
You'll find generic model releases at any of the major stock photography agencies. Simply print it out and make copies, then keep several with you at all times. This way, you always have model releases ready for new subjects when you need them.
© 2006, Kathy Burns-Millyard. All Rights Reserved.
 © Photographer: Eperceptions | Agency: Dreamstime.com
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 © Photographer: Eperceptions | Agency: Dreamstime.com
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© Photographer: Eperceptions | Agency: Dreamstime.com
© Photographer: Eperceptions | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Stock Photography Articles...
• What is Stock Photography• Photographers: Rights Managed vs. Royalty Free Micro Stock Photography
• Stock Photography Tips: Creativity vs. Saleability
• Can Photographers Make Money With Stock Photography?
• Stock Photography of People: Model Releases
• Are You Using Stock Photos In Your Business Illegally?
Royalty Free Stock Photo Portfolios
• Dreamstime• Fotolia
• Bigstock
About This Site...
This website is here to help new photographers and business owners learn some of the basics of selling or using stock photography. My portfolios are no longer available here, instead they have been condensed onto my main Electronic Perceptions website.