So.. this is a rant about a model who didn't pay for a shoot and expects un-watermarked images.

[Designer]

I understand that release to an extent.
Honestly, a lot of that is parts of different releases I have been shown and thrown together.

Although, it would very helpful if you can explain to me what I have been having all my models sign.

How do you mean models incentive to work with me?

OMG!

You actually admit that you "threw together" this model release yourself! Mister, you had better hope that the model doesn't sue you.

I think just about any attorney would take her case just for the hell of it.

This POS is so full of holes that any first year law student could take it apart.

Have fun making payments to the model if she hires an expensive lawyer.

 

[Designer]

A lot of my photographers in my area are very secretive and dont like sharing. ):

No, that's not it. It's just that THEY PAID for something that you want to pirate for FREE.

 

[NedM]

I understand that release to an extent.
Honestly, a lot of that is parts of different releases I have been shown and thrown together.

Although, it would very helpful if you can explain to me what I have been having all my models sign.

How do you mean models incentive to work with me?

OMG!

You actually admit that you "threw together" this model release yourself! Mister, you had better hope that the model doesn't sue you.

I think just about any attorney would take her case just for the hell of it.

This POS is so full of holes that any first year law student could take it apart.

Have fun making payments to the model if she hires an expensive lawyer.

I am sorry, Designer, but are you not being very friendly or helpful at all.
I think it's best if you were to please remove yourself from this conversation.

Yes, I know my situation was not the best and every action I took was faulty.
I have already admitted to this and decided to change the way I do business.

Thank you for your insight.

 

[photoguy99]

Good model releases are not typically something a photographer keeps secret. For one thing, every model they work with has a copy.

Don't worry about getting sued. Contrary to Designer's snark, it's not like lawyers are lining up to take cases where there is almost literally no money in play.

Do invest in a quick consult with a local lawyer who does this sort of thing to get some nice simple contracts and model releases drawn up, and some advice about how you can and cannot customize them to suit the situation. This will cost you less than a good lens, I suspect (it's been.. um.. a while since I hired a lawyer with my own money though).

 

[Scatterbrained]

I am sorry, Designer, but are you not being very friendly or helpful at all.
I think it's best if you were to please remove yourself from this conversation.

Yes, I know my situation was not the best and every action I took was faulty.
I have already admitted to this and decided to change the way I do business.

Thank you for your insight.

A model release and a license agreement are two separate things. Having them sign a model release:

A) clarifies that you are the sole rights holder to the image
B) clarifies that you can use their images commercially
C) shows that you had their express permission to take the photos

You can get a solid model release off of the Getty contributor website.
The model release is for you, to cover your butt.

A license agreement is the other half of the deal that you are missing. It spells out what kind of images the client will receive and what they can do with them. What you don't seem to have yet, and desperately need, is a license agreement. With this you spell out what images, who will receive them, in what form, where they can be used, and for how long.

That is what you need to get sorted out.

 

[Designer]

I am sorry, Designer, but are you not being very friendly or helpful at all.

If you go back to read my first post in this thread (post #6) you will see that I have made a very good suggestion about how to salvage your reputation.

That is very friendly and helpful.

And I don't even know you.

You're welcome.

 

[Designer]

Not only that, but in post #76 I gave you a broad hint that you need to fix this, and not wait until someone else fixes it for you.

That also is extremely helpful.

You're welcome.

 

[Overread]

PEOPLE NO FIGHTING

If you dislike someone you can click their name and in the little window that appears you can select to ignore them. If you can't stand reading their comments do that. If they are being outright abusive then report their posts and let the mods deal with it.

 

[NedM]

I am sorry, Designer, but are you not being very friendly or helpful at all.
I think it's best if you were to please remove yourself from this conversation.

Yes, I know my situation was not the best and every action I took was faulty.
I have already admitted to this and decided to change the way I do business.

Thank you for your insight.

A model release and a license agreement are two separate things. Having them sign a model release:

A) clarifies that you are the sole rights holder to the image
B) clarifies that you can use their images commercially
C) shows that you had their express permission to take the photos

You can get a solid model release off of the Getty contributor website.
The model release is for you, to cover your butt.

A license agreement is the other half of the deal that you are missing. It spells out what kind of images the client will receive and what they can do with them. What you don't seem to have yet, and desperately need, is a license agreement. With this you spell out what images, who will receive them, in what form, where they can be used, and for how long.

That is what you need to get sorted out.

Okay, I think I can create a pretty solid model release with a bit of research.

But how can I go about creating a license agreement along with the model release?
Do you have any examples I can start drafting off of?

 

[JacaRanda]

Why are you insistent on doing this yourself and ignoring some of the advice you have been given?
It seems you are looking for a shortcut which may be the reason you have found yourself in the current situation.

Don't you want things associated with your photography business to be solid rather than pretty solid?

 

[joeymas]

"The whole business of models paying the photographer always feels off to me. "

So... we are a charity in place to make sure every single person we come into contact with as wonderful photos free of charge? ok ok ok... that is just me being a wise guy.... but the reality is this.... It is not for us to make the call on weather or not this person will succeed as a model. It is our job to take and deliver great photographs.

I am against TFP all together because all of these guys doing free work makes it harder for professionals to get paid. You should have charged her, shot her, delivered the product and moved on.

 

[photoguy99]

This is off topic, but in general I'd expect to see a third party paying both the model and the photographer.

I'm sure it's not all like this, but I see a lot of ick in the world of GWCs charging "models" (mildly pretty girls who are never, ever, going to be successful models, but who have mighty dreams and a few dollars in their pocket from someplace or other) to "build their portfolios".

 

[NedM]

Why are you insistent on doing this yourself and ignoring some of the advice you have been given?
It seems you are looking for a shortcut which may be the reason you have found yourself in the current situation.

Don't you want things associated with your photography business to be solid rather than pretty solid?

Partly because I am only 21 years old and atm can not afford an IP lawyer.
So the best I can do is build my own model release/licenses and get feedback and improvements from other professionals.

 

[photoguy99]

If you can afford a camera, you can afford a lawyer.

No reason not to do research and pull together some documents in advance, though.

 

[JacaRanda]

Why are you insistent on doing this yourself and ignoring some of the advice you have been given?
It seems you are looking for a shortcut which may be the reason you have found yourself in the current situation.

Don't you want things associated with your photography business to be solid rather than pretty solid?

Partly because I am only 21 years old and atm can not afford an IP lawyer.
So the best I can do is build my own model release/licenses and get feedback and improvements from other professionals.

Which is why I suggested going back to your college professor if that is possible (or maybe e-mail them). I would think they could give you help directly, or lead you in the right direction to the research material.