Model Releases?

[EASmithV]

Alright, I'm new to this kind of thing. I want to enter some of my photos (portraits) in a few contests and stuff, and I've been advised that before I do so, I should get model releases from my subjects, espessially since the photos I want to use, the models are under-age.

The people in these shots are all close friends, so obtaining signatures is not a problem, but what is the correct procedure for doing this? Do I need a gaurdian to sign as well as the model because they are under age?

Can anyone give me a generic model release form I can adapt for my own use?

[Sirius Glass]

Do not hold the models too long. Some of them get really pissed if you do. :p

Steve

[RalphLambrecht]

Alright, I'm new to this kind of thing. I want to enter some of my photos (portraits) in a few contests and stuff, and I've been advised that before I do so, I should get model releases from my subjects, espessially since the photos I want to use, the models are under-age.

The people in these shots are all close friends, so obtaining signatures is not a problem, but what is the correct procedure for doing this? Do I need a gaurdian to sign as well as the model because they are under age?

Can anyone give me a generic model release form I can adapt for my own use?

If you need a signature, then you need it only from the legal guardian. Sample model releases are readily available on the web. Make sure you don't fix a problem with a missing model release by openeing up a new problem with a copyright violation by using somebodies model release without permission. It's a crazy world out there!

[SuzanneR]

For children, you need to get a parent or a guardian's signature. I'd let the parent know you plan to submit the work to contests, and if the work is published. If anyone comes along, say Baby Gap, and wants to use your pictures for commercial purposes, then you (and the company) will need to get releases for that use as well. In other words, model releases are somewhat limited in how they protect you from being sued. the best protection is to keep an open dialog with those you have photographed. (And the occasional complimentary print can go a long way to good karma.)

[Allen Friday]

Google "model release minor" and you will get all sorts of sample releases.

Suzanne above is spot on. Communication is the best when dealing with any model, especially a minor. You can avoid a lot of pitfalls by checking the contest/submission rules to see how they plan to use the images, in particular, do you retain copyright? A lot of "contests" are simply ways for organizers to get a bunch of images they can use without paying for them. Check the rules.

[wfe]

I'll echo what Suzanne has said.