What Is a Photo Release Form?

A photo release form is a document that permits the usage of a person’s photo, image, or another likeness, whether for personal or public use. The rights to a photo can be released in different ways. The most common include release without consideration. Sometimes, a person can agree to sign the photo release for a specific fee or royalties.

Main Types of Photo Release Forms

Model release form

It’s a document established between a person who will use the photograph, a person who took it, and a person in the photo or the one who owns the property captured in the photo. In other words, a model release form is written permission of a particular person or a property owner to publish the image featuring them or their property on the net or in print ads or use it in any other way specified in the document.

Photo copyright release form

It's written permission to use professional images, make copies of or use them for any other commercial purposes. The release form commonly includes details about the creator of a photo or person in it and a person or entity authorized to use it. The document also indicates the image's description and how it can be used, stating that the releasing party gives up any claims they might have against the receiving party concerning the photos.

Photo release form for minors

This document permits entities or individuals to use photographs that have the image of a child. Based on the fact that the actual releasor is under 18, the document needs the signature of their legal representative – a parent or guardian.

Employee photo release form

This document authorizes a third party to take and keep photos of an employee for any commercial use, such as for the company’s website, advertisements, or job postings. The employee should sign the form for it to be valid. It should explain that the employer and any designated agents can use the photos of the employees on an at-will basis. The document typically covers different circumstances and does not have an expiration date.

Pet release form

This document authorizes a person or entity to take and use a photo featuring domestic animals. It is the owner who might have issues with having their animal in someone’s images, which is why they should give their written consent to feature an animal in the photographs.

Daycare photo release form

This document enables taking photos of a child at daycare or during various activities. The parties are the child’s parent or guardian providing the consent and a person taking photos. The document commonly authorizes the latter to use the image(s) to promote daycare services using print or digital versions of the photo(s).

A Photo Release Form: Specifics of Usage

A photo release form is a document that gives a photographer, entity, or any third party explicit permission to use the photographs of a specific person/property for personal or commercial use. The releasor (the person who releases the rights to the image) grants certain rights to the releasee (the person getting permissions) and can request:

• royalty (typically, a percentage of profits or recurring payment made to a photo owner);

• attribution or credit (the releasee uses the image for free but has to mention the title of the image, the original creator, the source, and the type of license);

A photo release form isn’t necessary when taking photos in public places, though. Examples of this can be seen anywhere from YouTube videos, television shows, or just on any public photograph you may have seen. Generally, it is perfectly legal to take any picture you want on any public property without having to obtain a signature on the photograph release form from people in your photo.

How to Prepare a Photo Release Form

There are commonly three steps you would need to take to get a photo release form and, consequently, the right to use specific photos.

Step 1. Find a good photo release template

It is essential to find the correct photo release form before using it for specific business purposes. The most popular by far is a model photo release form when a photo intentionally captures a person or somebody’s property. However, there is no standardized form, which is why it is essential to include the key elements:

• Name of the photographer or person(s) granting rights to the image.

• Name of the model or property in the photo.

• Address and contact details of the releasing party.

• A detailed description of the image.

• How long the form is valid for, that is for what period the rights to use the photo will be granted.

• The purposes of releasing the rights to the image.

• Any conditions of participation between the releasing and receiving parties.

Step 2. Communicate the release terms

It is vital to give clear instructions to the person(s) receiving the rights to the image to ensure mutual understanding of the purposes of its use. This includes any commercial use, distribution of photo(s), digital marketing, branding, print advertisements, handouts, etc. A detailed discussion of the payment (form, amount, and date) must be communicated as well. Furthermore, instructions should be given to the receiving party about the revocation of the photo release form if allowed, under what circumstances it may be done, any royalties associated with the use of this image. Another piece of information to include is who may receive the royalties if the document implies them, and finally, what parties will be required to sign the document.

Step 3. Sign the form

Photo release forms are common practice, and most photographers have them ready to go before a photoshoot begins. These forms do not require a lawyer or notary to be present during the signing process. It is important to remember that even though a notary is not required to be present during signing, this document is still binding.