OK, So I need a model release

[David Hall]

Well, 'nough said above. Do I write this myself or is there a supply store for this kind of thing?

[bmac]

There is a book called something like legal forms for professional photographers. It has all the forms you will ever need.

[Ed Sukach]

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (bmacphoto.com @ Jan 29 2003, 08:40 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>There is a book called something like legal forms for professional photographers.&nbsp; It has all the forms you will ever need.</td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
I've had an "inside track" to the world of model releases for some time now ... my daughter is a Legal Secretary, and was employed for some 15 years with a law firm that represented a large Catalog - Mail Order - firm. LOTS of model releases. I'm familiar with the "Legal Forms" book ... and I'll caution everyone not to treat it as a definitive "bible".

A few of the "forms" contain flaws that wold cause them to be shot down in court without much fanfare. A phrase that is too broad, "This work may be used for ANY purpose whatever, even if it causes great and unexpected harm to me or untold humiliation or derision..." will not "cover" a breach of good faith.

Model Releases are NOT "Licenses to Kill".

My daughter even told me of a release that was contested because their client originally had the boilerplate, "Agents, assigns, successors, and *heirs*" phrase included. Their client was a Corporation- and Corporations cannot have "heirs".

There is simply no way around it ... if you are in business, ALL contracts should be reviewed by competent legal talent.

[David Hall]

Ed,

I will be making portraits for a specific project...a book...maybe I should get a standard model release, then re-write it myself to cover the book, any gallery or museum support around the book, publicity for the book, etc, and not much else?

dgh