newborn of a minor, who signs the model release?

[GerryDavid]

Hopefully Ill be photographing a new born in the next few days, the mother is 17. Do I need the mother of the newborn and the grandmother to sign the model release? Im not sure how this one works since the grandmother doesnt have any authority over the newborn but its my understanding that the minor cant sign a contract themselves unless emancipated?

I know the first answer will be to contact a laywer and the second answer would be you dont need a model release to use it the pictures for advertising, but im just wondering how the pro's here would handle the situation.

 

[unpopular]

Without speaking to an attorney, I'd think the safest thing to do would have the mother sign for the child, and the legal guardian of the minor parent to sign for her authorization.

So basically, the mother signs the release on behalf of the infant, and the guardian of the mother authorizes the minor parent to sign the release.

Though, this may be excessive and the only way to get the "right answer" is to talk to an attorney.

 

[busyworld]

Not to worry at all.I think things go in a right way if you have an honest thought.

 

[unpopular]

^^ no. if you need a release, you need a legally binding release. very few civil cases end up in court due to malice.

 

[tirediron]

Without speaking to an attorney, I'd think the safest thing to do would have the mother sign for the child, and the legal guardian of the minor parent to sign for her authorization.

So basically, the mother signs the release on behalf of the infant, and the guardian of the mother authorizes the minor parent to sign the release.

Though, this may be excessive and the only way to get the "right answer" is to talk to an attorney.

Really, cover your options, do this. A ten minute consult might cost you $50 - WELL worth it if there's an issue down the road!

 

[tirediron]

Not to worry at all.I think things go in a right way if you have an honest thought.

It would be nice if they would, but sadly, that is NOT the way life works in many situations. I'm sure there are many photographers here who could share horror stories of clients who have changed their minds!

 

[c.cloudwalker]

What a pro would do is find a newborn whose mother is of age so as not to deal with this situation

 

[naptime]

What a pro would do is find a newborn whose mother is of age so as not to deal with this situation

but these days it's easier to find a teen mom isn't it ?

sad, but true

 

[unpopular]

^^ not true.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_surprising-facts-about-birth-in-the-united-states_1372273.bc

 

[gerardo2068]

^^ it is true! It might not be around where you are. But there places where you it happening a lot. I personally saw many pregnant girls in high school uniform on many of my visit to those cities. They go to school like that.

 

[unpopular]

Statistics on a national level indicate that you are more likely to encounter a pregnant teen in 1970 than you would today. Perhaps in some locations this is not the case, but on average teen pregnancy continues to decline in the United States.

Furthermore, I very much doubt it was ever the case that there were more teen pregnancies than adult pregnancies. That assertion is just absurd.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

but these days it's easier to find a teen mom isn't it ?

sad, but true

Well, there are way too many teenage moms in the US and it is sad but I didn't think that your statement was true and unpopular's link seems not to agree with you.

Here in France parents are way more realistic about teenage sex, whether they like it or not, so that teenage girls on the pill are way more the norm than in the US and there are not so many teenage moms.

 

[unpopular]

The issue of teen pregnancy is much more visible today than it was then. Schools offer a lot more support for teen parents and teen parenthood is much less stigmatized today. While teen pregnancy certainly disrupts the lives of the youth who make choices that result in pregnancy, it's a good thing that you see teen mothers in schools, that many high schools offer childcare and educational pathways that accommodate parenthood.

Making one major mistake in life shouldn't have to result in destitute poverty. As with any new parent, my wife and I are struggling enough, and we were well into our twenties and married when we planned on having a child. Parenthood is hard enough as it is.

 

[KmH]

If you don't self-publish any of the newborn photos for self-promotion, you don't need a release.

Actually, you don't need a release to self-publish or self-promote, unless the people in the images you self-publish for self-promotion can be perceived as being advocates or sponsors of your business, which pretty much wouldn't include a newborn. You might need a release to self-publish for self-promotion images made under controlled conditions.

Making prints/DVD's for the client is not publishing.

If you are shooting people and don't have the $20 book A Digital Photographer's Guide to Model Releases: Making the Best Business Decisions with Your Photos of People, Places and Things you nay already be in legal hot water, just waiting for someone to scald you, badly.

 

[tirediron]

If you don't self-publish any of the newborn photos for self-promotion, you don't need a release.

Actually, you don't need a release to self-publish or self-promote, unless the people in the images you self-publish for self-promotion can be perceived as being advocates or sponsors of your business, which pretty much wouldn't include a newborn.

Making prints/DVD's is not publishing.

True, but ESPECIALLY when you're dealing with minors and minor children of minors, it's always worth taking the extra trouble to cover your butt!