Model Release Form
Typically contracts are long an illegible, but I feel like that is unrealistic to develop and understanding between model and photographer. While I strongly suggest that you fully read the contract below, I have also written small TL;DR blurbs above each section for a brief run down of what the section covers!
And of course, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me on the contact page. I also suggest that you download this contract for your own documentation as well. Click here to do so.
Content Ownership:
You release rights to Joseph Walker, the photographer, and authorized users access to any content created during the shoot.(ie. photos, videos, other imagery). Essentially, I as the photographer own the rights to the files created during the shoot, and whatever I produce from those files.
The “Model” (listed in the signature below), for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is acknowledged, hereby grants to Joseph Walker (“Company”), its legal representatives, assignees, and those acting under its authority, the unrestricted right and permission to copyright and/or use, and/or publish photographic portraits or pictures of the Model (the " Pictures"), and the negatives, transparencies, prints, or digital information pertaining to them, in still, single, multiple, moving or video format, or in which Model may be included in whole or in part, or composite, or distorted in form, or reproductions thereof, in color or otherwise, in any media for advertising or any other lawful purpose.
Publication:
The model is not required to approve the final product unless otherwise stated.
Any type of publication by the model requires appropriate credit of photographers work, at time of publication. This also means for me that I will be posting to social media or other platforms, with proper credit of the model or other helpers, unless agreed otherwise.
You are free to sell and distribute photos through your own means. I do not require compensation (payment or percentage) unless otherwise stated.
Model hereby relinquishes any right that he/she may have to examine or approve the finished product or products or the advertising copy or printed matter that may be used in connection with an image that Company has taken of the Model, or the use to which it may be applied.
Content Creation:
Photos will be chosen by the model, and edits will be uploaded to a drive which both photographer and model have access to. Once the photos have been released to the drive, they are yours to use as you see fit as long as credit is given.
Any photos that the photographer uses will be made available to the drive as well.
Amount of content to be uploaded to the drive must be discussed and agreed to prior to shoot event.
Raw files will not be distributed unless previously agreed otherwise.
After day of the shoot, the content will be kept for at least 30 days. During this time, purchases of additional edits can be made, but cannot be promised after the allotted time.
Claims of Damage:
The model releases any claims of damage unless it can be proven that content was produced with malicious intent. This binds all members of Model’s party.
Model further releases Company its parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, agents, servants, or employees (“Releasees”) from any claims for remuneration associated with any form of damage, foreseen or unforeseen, associated with the proper commercial or artistic use of these images unless it can be shown that said reproduction was maliciously caused, produced and published for the sole purpose of subjecting the Model to conspicuous ridicule, scandal, reproach, scorn and indignity. Model also waives any and all claims, demands, actions and causes of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, that may be sustained by Model, or any of the property belonging to Model, whether caused by the negligence of the Releasees, or otherwise, while performing the photography session, or while in, on or upon the premises where the photography session was performed.
It is the express intent of Model that this document shall bind all members of Model’s family, heirs, assignees and personal representatives.
Age Consent:
Are you 18 years or older? If not, you must have a legal guardian sign for you.
Model represents that he/she is 18 year or older, that the photography session was conducted in a completely proper and highly professional manner, and this release was willingly signed.
Compensation:
Payment must be agreed upon and paid prior to the shoot. Rates don’t include travel.
Compensation for content creation services must be made, unless otherwise discussed, in full prior to shoot event. Pricing must be discussed and agreed upon prior to shoot event. Payment options must also be discussed prior to shoot event.
Travel is not included in the base price rate and must be added to final payment. Unforeseen travel expenses can be paid after shoot event, but must be paid for prior to delivery of content.