 Eileen Broderick |
Model Release Quick Question--recently shot a wedding for a friend of my sister's. Bride and groom are happy to sign a release so that I can use their pictures on my website and/or on any advertising materials in the future. But what about guests of the wedding who appear in pictures and are recognizable? Flower girl, ring bearer, grandma, whoever. At the moment I have no plans to do anything big with them--just use them in a portfolio and on my website. But will I need a release for every one?! Thanks for any input...
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Mark Feldstein |
Too bad this wasn't handled before the wedding. The answer is yes. You need a release for any recognizable person in the photos IF and only IF you publish them either electronically or in print media. Unfortunately, you can't effect a release by proxy by having the bride and groom sign for their guests. If it involves a minor kid, the kid's parents or legal guardians have to sign. Portfolio usage is ok but not beyond that and certainly not on the net on anyone's web site or for advertising/promotional materials.
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Eileen Broderick |
Thanks--that is exactly what I figured. And it won't be impossible, just a pain in the neck! This is the first time shooting a wedding so some things didn't occur to me ahead of time. Curious, though, how I'd handle this in the future? How do I get model releases for guests/children at the event? That sounds dumb--obviously I can have a bunch of copies on me and ask them--but I was totally focused on the bride and groom and unfolding events. I can't imagine stopping all night long to take care of paperwork--too many missed shots! Any ideas? As a guest I myself have never been asked and I have appeared on the web in other photographer's websites w/o having signed anything. Not that that makes it okay...just thinking...I can probably get permission fairly easily from some but for others it may not be worth it. Would love to be better prepared if/when there's a next time.
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Mark Feldstein |
One way is the implied release (versus the "express" written release. You can accomplish that by inserting a card in the invitation that says something like "[T]he bride and groom appreciate your cooperation in that your attendance at their special event constitutes implied consent to be photographed at our occasion and to have those photographs published in print or on the internet by either us or ." OR, placing a sign at the entrance that says "[E]ntry constitutes your implied consent to be photographed and to have those photos published in print or electronically." Some couples may go for it, others may think you're trying to capitalize on top of getting paid for services already and just refuse. Or, behind door number 3: Shoot, find the winners, have the couple ID them and ask to have the winners sign a release after-the-fact. Maybe comp them with a free print for doing that. But the answer, I think, depends an awful lot on your client base. I'd talk to some other wedding shooters and see how they handle it, but again, getting releases by proxy doesn't work legally.
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