What is the Model Release Statement?

The technology is getting cheaper while the use of smartphones and Digital cameras has doubled over the years. On the contrary, everyone tends to be a photographer.

Since, everyone love to capture their favorite shots, there comes the moment when you capture someone picture intentionally or intentionally. Though it might be completely ok for your personal collection, at the same time, it will hamper someone privacy.

What if that photo goes for sale? Is it legally ok to take someone shot and sell it without their prior consent? That's a big question to all the people indulge in photography platform.

And the answer to the question is simply "No". You can't click other's picture and use it for sale purpose. However, you can sell it those photos only after the sign of the Model Release Statement.

So, what exactly is a Model Release Statement?

Model Release Statement is the legal document that the person or people featured in any kind of photographs required to sign to allow the photographer permission to use it or sell the image.

In other word, it is the document that allows you to sell the images that contain a recognizable person in your photograph.

This is very important as it protects photographers from any kind of legal troubles. Since you are about to upload photos in stock photography platform, you never know for what purpose your image has been used. And it's always better to stay on the safe side by uploading model release statement.

However, you are not always required to upload the model release statement. If you are clicking pictures on the public places and it is completely for the editorial purpose, then you might not require to use model release statement.

When Photographers does require to get a model release statement signed?

These are the conditions where you need to get and sign the model release statement.

• When your photographs contain the noticeable or recognizable face of a person or people and the photographer simply wishes to use the same image for commercial purpose.
• When your image is being used in consumer goods, merchandises and in any other product including greeting cards, t-shirts or calendar.
• If the image is about to use by the company for various branding purposes for instance: Marketing materials and advertising.

Well, if you think your photograph is about to get used in such activity, then you must get the model release statement signed.

So, when does Photographers are not required to get a model release statement?

Here are some of the conditions when you don't require to get a model release statement signed

• If the photos have been taken in the public places. However, we strongly suggest signing the model release statement if the person is noticeable in the image. Public places is for everyone, whereas it might not be ok to hinder someone's privacy in the name of public places.
• If the image is used for editorial purposes only. The editorial purpose includes the use of the image in a newspaper, magazine or article with the supporting text.
• If you are taking the pictures of the crowds at festival, seminars or any public places with huge crowds.

To be more precise about the Release statement, look at the following examples:

Mangal Daydreamer on Neptos

Now, the first one here is the image shot at the Indra Jatra Festival. As you can see, there are lots of crowds with hardly recognizable faces. In such a case, you don’t need to get and sign the model release statement.

Rabin Lama on Neptos

That's a beautiful shot, right? Group of friends enjoying each other company at one of the highest peak of Nepal, Tilicho Lake. This image is shot from behind and does not include any recognizable face. Hence, this shot also doesn't require a model release statement.

Now, look at this one. The image contains the recognizable faces. Now, this type of image required model release form or can be used for the only editorial purpose.

Ashes Sitoula on Unsplash

I guess you are pretty clear with the Model Release form. If you have similar images and want to sell on Neptos, then make sure you have Mode Release Statement signed. You can download the Model Release Statement from here.

Along with Model Release Statement, there's one more thing you need to take care of and that is Property Release statement.

What is a Property Release Statement?

Property Release statement is also the legal document signed by the owner of the property that is used in photographs or video granting permission to use the photographs in one form or another.

In another word, you can't just click the image of the private property and sell it commercially. It's similar to the Model Release Statement as both things are concerned with the privacy of the person's or property.

What does the term Property cover?

The term "Property" is pretty huge, so here are the things that fall under Property and requires Property Release statement.

• Private Buildings. Photographers don't have the right to get into your property, click the image and sell it for commercial purpose.
• If you own a pet, then that is also considered as your property and requires a property release statement.
• Intellectual property that includes brand, logo or trademark. So, if your image has the Coca-Cola logo, then you must sign a property release statement from the Coca-Cola Company.
• All the arts belong to their respective artist and requires a property release statement to use for commercial purpose.
• In the end, the recognizable designs, for instance, phone, car or road sign also need a property release statement.

Well, this is it. If you are using Neptos, a stock photography platform based in Nepal, then you must follow all the things stated above.

If you have any queries regarding Model Release statement and Property Release statement, feel free to ask us. We would be happy to assist you in any manner.

Till then, keep shooting and keep uploading.