May 23 2008

What is a model release? – Download a Generic Model Release

Posted on: May 23, 2008 (43) Comments

For privacy purpose we cannot show this in a larger size

A model release is a formal agreement between the model and the photographer about usage of the images where the model appears. When a model signs a model release he or she acknowledges that images or movies with him or her in them will be used for commercial purposes around the world.

The images and movies cannot be used for just anything, and the agencies that sell images, known as stock agencies, have a long set of “user rights and restrictions” that protects the model and the photographer from abusive usage of the material. The restrictions are very tight, so abusive usage almost never happens.

Most professional or international models have signed model releases many times, but for new models this aspect can feel a little uncertain. When you are asked to sign a model release, take your time to read it through and ask any questions you may have to the photographer or film-maker on the set. Even though the model release is written in a very formal language, try to remember that basically this is just a contract that formally allows the photographer to use the pictures he is taking of you.

You can read and download my model release forms here:

Universal adult model release for all agencies (word document)

Universal minor model release for all agencies (word document)

Universal property release for all agencies (word document)

If you are a stock photographer and looking for a model release template or form that you can use with all microstock agencies, feel free to use this one. We have had all our images approved on all microstock agencies using this form. Remember to remove “Yuri Arcurs” and my logo and replace them with your own.

   

(43) Comments... What do you think? If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to my RSS
  1. Kyle Tunney said on November 4th, 2008 at 4:37 pm   (Quote)

    Thanks for Sharing Yuri!

  2. dmitrystudio said on March 16th, 2009 at 9:24 am   (Quote)

    Thanks, Yuri! Good work !!!

  3. Brandon Seidel said on April 6th, 2009 at 12:15 am   (Quote)

    Thanks!

  4. Mike said on April 29th, 2009 at 11:53 am   (Quote)

    Very useful, thanks!

  5. Jen said on November 21st, 2009 at 9:34 pm   (Quote)

    Alexey: I don’t quite understand the issue of the release form.
    If I shot a random guy on a street I can’t sell his photo unless he signed a release form?
    Do all the celebrities sign release forms to all the paparazzi?

    No… but those are considered editorial pictures. Microstock is commercial, and so the pictures require release forms.

  6. Rahul Tiwari said on February 27th, 2010 at 9:56 am   (Quote)

    Thanks, Yuri! nice work

  7. [...] forms”. Yuri Arcurs was kind enough to share some example contracts which can be found on his website. contract example (taken from Yuri Arcurs [...]

What do you think? Join the discussion...

How do I change my avatar?

Go to gravatar.com and upload your preferred avatar.