Do I need a model release?

I’ve touched on the subject of model release forms in the past. What rights does a street photographer have when it comes to publishing photos of people on the street, and even the thorny issue of publishing a photography book for charity. Does “earning money” include giving it all away again as the US Book did?

Mike Johnston gives a brief introduction to situations when you will need a model release. Some of the comments are enlightening, especially the contrast between France and the USA. Mike talks for a US perspective, but some of it applies to the EU in general terms.

I wasn’t aware of the difference between artistic use and commercial use. Mike explains it with a simple example, but if the same sort of rules apply to Ireland, I might be tempted to offer prints of some of my photos here. Who’ll buy my lovely photos then?

User tags: "do i need a model release", "artist model release form", "artistic model release", "photo release do i need", "when does a photographer need a model release", "do i need release form for photos", "do i need a model release form", " do i need a model release", "candid street photography model release", "model releases street photography", "why models need photos", "when do i need a model release", "are model release forms required for street photography?", "when do i need image release?", "artists model release form", "model release street photography", "model releases coffe book", "artist model release", "i need model pics ", "street photography "model release""

2 comments on ' Do I need a model release? '

As I understand it, in book form, art or editorial sake, you can publish without release, however, in speaking to a publisher I’ve approached, he required me to show releases from any of the “street people” I shot for an upcoming coffee table book that I am underway to produce and sell-hey, you do have to make money, so let’s be honest here. Everyone I’ve shot, I approached and asked for permission, believe me you want to ask bikers and half clothed women if you can shoot em…so I did, but never got a signed release.

My intent is not to sell these commercially, in ads or on product, nor to a stock hoouse, but to showcase a cultural event in art and photographic form…in a book, but after reading all of the content here, looks as though there are as many interpretations as photographers shooting these types of images…

Written by DLD on September 26, 2006 at 3:40am