Release form for exhibition??

[MohaimenK]

If I put up a picture here, do I need a release form?? I'd put "photo by Mohaimen Kazi" not my "foto by momo" logo on it. Does that matter? I wanted to post the picture of the bride from a month ago that I took a pic of.

FotoWeek DC

Either this: (Which I have a release form of)

or this which I don't have a release form of...

 

[c.cloudwalker]

There should be a one paragraph release form in your contract to cover you. That said it is unlikely that you would get in trouble for posting here. It may even be seen as legal, ie editorial use.

 

[PJL]

I love that first photo. The texture in the jewelry and clothing really pops, but doesn't distract from her face.

 

[MohaimenK]

There should be a one paragraph release form in your contract to cover you. That said it is unlikely that you would get in trouble for posting here. It may even be seen as legal, ie editorial use.

Well the first one is someone I worked with so I have a release form from her. The 2nd one was when I was at a public tourist spot (DC National Cathedral) and while walking around there, this bride just got married. She was leaving to go back to her car and saw me with a camera and screamed "take a picture!". While I was leaving she said "sure you can post it on your website" of course that's not a valid release and I won't go far as to where I'll end up using it in my brochure or anything but thought I may be able to pass it off as "Editorial" work. :thumbup: They never contacted me because they wanted the picture and thought I'd have them sign a form then.... But nvm cuz they raised the price and it's like $30 per submission

I love that first photo. The texture in the jewelry and clothing really pops, but doesn't distract from her face.

Thanks!

 

[c.cloudwalker]

The 2nd one was when I was at a public tourist spot (DC National Cathedral) and while walking around there, this bride just got married. She was leaving to go back to her car and saw me with a camera and screamed "take a picture!".

True. I should have remembered the story of this image. I don't shoot this way much anymore but when I did I always had some 3x5 model releases in my bag for situations like this one.

 

[MohaimenK]

The 2nd one was when I was at a public tourist spot (DC National Cathedral) and while walking around there, this bride just got married. She was leaving to go back to her car and saw me with a camera and screamed "take a picture!".

True. I should have remembered the story of this image. I don't shoot this way much anymore but when I did I always had some 3x5 model releases in my bag for situations like this one.

Yeah it sux! I'd have LOVED to have this printed on my brochure that I'm having printed soon. I work for a florist for over 8 years and we have brides coming in here all the time for wedding flowers and the boss said I could put brochures down at the shop in case one of them need a photographer :mrgreen:

(Off topic)
Ultimate plan, open a florist w/ a studio next door and offer both services together)

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Well, you could try and put an ad on craigslist, or in the City Paper if it still exist, asking this bride to contact you. You may also be able to find her name in the Post if they announced their wedding in there....

Btw, once you have you're marketing material ready, don't forget to do wedding shows. I helped a friend of mine who owned a limo company a couple times with those. Unbelievably, his was the only limo company there. Got a lot of business from those shows and his company was the fastest growing one if the area, not so surprisingly.

 

[Rosshole]

First, does posting a image online = publishing?

Second, Do you need a model release for advertising materials?

Third, What does your release state?

 

[MohaimenK]

Well, you could try and put an ad on craigslist, or in the City Paper if it still exist, asking this bride to contact you. You may also be able to find her name in the Post if they announced their wedding in there....

Btw, once you have you're marketing material ready, don't forget to do wedding shows. I helped a friend of mine who owned a limo company a couple times with those. Unbelievably, his was the only limo company there. Got a lot of business from those shows and his company was the fastest growing one if the area, not so surprisingly.

Yeah I could but I don't know. Might be too much since they had their own photographer and they might not like the idea. I shall find me another perfect bride soon enough.

As for the shows, oh yes, I have ideas in my head. I am a marketing genius since I did some work with it w/ the florist I work for. I have some great ideas to what I want to do but since I just started I want to take my time and be perfect until I'm happy with myself as a wedding photographer to put myself out there.

Right now, I'm just a mediocre photographer doing mediocre crap for weddings. I personally think my work SUX! Yes I've said it, I'm not feeling like my work is that good at all to go out there and try to compete against all the great photographers out there. So I will probably another 5-10 weddings at minimal cost ($200-$500) to improve myself till I know I'm there. It'll happen. I am confident. I think it'll pick up by end of year once I have my website up.

But yes I have been thinking about going to do those shows and have some terrific ideas in my mind.

First, does posting a image online = publishing?

Second, Do you need a model release for advertising materials?

Third, What does your release state?

Yes, yes and yes! In US it does. In Europe I heard it doesn't. You MUST have release forms signed if you're using them to promote your business in any way. You can only post it for editorial purpose w/ your name and not your business name, if that makes sense? I can put a photo up for a paper and say "photo by Mohaimen Kazi" but I can't put it up somewhere w/ my logo on it w/ my company name.

I certainly cannot use the image to print brochures. That's advertising.
Of course, until I have a release form signed.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Yeah I could but I don't know. Might be too much since they had their own photographer and they might not like the idea.

Nothing tried, nothing gained. The worst they can do, if you do find them, is to say no.

 

[Rosshole]

Yes, yes and yes! In US it does. In Europe I heard it doesn't. You MUST have release forms signed if you're using them to promote your business in any way. You can only post it for editorial purpose w/ your name and not your business name, if that makes sense? I can put a photo up for a paper and say "photo by Mohaimen Kazi" but I can't put it up somewhere w/ my logo on it w/ my company name.

I certainly cannot use the image to print brochures. That's advertising.
Of course, until I have a release form signed.

FYI, it isn't necessarily that black and white.

 

[MohaimenK]

FYI, it isn't necessarily that black and white.

Please explain if I'm missing something here.

 

[Rosshole]

You are asking me to explain how model releases are not yes or no/cut and dry?

Ok, first, posting an image online does not equal publishing. Second, when you say thing such as "in any way" in regards to model releases, you show that you don't totally understand the huge gray area that is involved with them.

I am not trying to start an arguement, but would just like to state that model releases are a case by case basis. Are you going to be printing tens of thousands of brochures for national circulation? Is that image showing an obvious endorsement of your product/company?

Like I said, these uses aren't so cut and dry.

 

[MohaimenK]

Anytime you use an image to show your work for "business" is considered "business use". I'm not talking about in forums. But for me to post it on my website showing that it is my work, is to promote my business. If I was doing it as a hobby that maybe perfectly fines but if I am using the images in anyway to promote my business name then yes I need a release form. It doesn't matter if it's online or printed.

End of the day, no, not many people care but they have the right to tell me to take the images down if a proper form was not signed from my business website. I cannot refuse.

So yes, that statement "You MUST have release forms signed if you're using them to promote your business in any way." still stands 100%.

Regarding this specific subject, to use images for a contest, here's a verse:

http://www.nyip.com/ezine/techtips/model-release.html

"Many photo contests, require releases of readily identifiable people in the photograph. Sometimes a property release is also necessary. Email us This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it if you would like a sample of a basic property release."

Read more at NYIP - Model Release Form - A Basic Model Release Form for Use in Photography Sessions and Photo Shoots http://www.nyip.com/ezine/techtips/model-release.html#ixzz14oENLCWP"​

 

[Rosshole]

Ok, but you should do some reading then...

Amazon.com: A Digital Photographer's Guide to Model Releases: Making the Best Business Decisions with Your Photos of People, Places and Things (9780470228562): Dan Heller: Books: Reviews, Prices & more

Good luck!