legal type question- opinions

brandanaleighana · 06-13-2008, 10:07 AM

I am working my way towards starting a photography business. It'll be 1-2 years for an official start. Anyway, I am going to be photographing families until then for nearly free in order to build up my portfolio. I plan on using many of the photos in my blog and in my portfolio. Technically as soon as I snap the photo with my finger, I own the rights to it. MIL said I should make everyone sign some kind of form giving me permission to use the photos. Opinions? I hadn't really thought about this. I've got 8 families lined up to photograph so far and I've told all of them my intentions of using the photos. Should I make a form for them to sign? If I make it, will it even protect me?
I never did any type of form in college and still used all of my photos. MIL has me sort of paranoid now.

JenR · 06-13-2008, 10:11 AM

I would definitely have them sign a release saying they understand that you own the pictures and that you'll be using them in promotional photos. It's one thing for people to know that you own the pics, but to see their face on your mailing is something different (which happened to my SIL!), and you might get some complaints. I would just make sure your intentions are clear, and talking about it and having them sign something will help accomplish that.

brandanaleighana · 06-13-2008, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenR

I would definitely have them sign a release saying they understand that you own the pictures and that you'll be using them in promotional photos. It's one thing for people to know that you own the pics, but to see their face on your mailing is something different (which happened to my SIL!), and you might get some complaints. I would just make sure your intentions are clear, and talking about it and having them sign something will help accomplish that.

So if I make my own form, will that work?
I had told everyone my intentions, I just honestly hadn't thought about having people sign anything.

ThatSuzyGirl · 06-13-2008, 10:20 AM

Yes! You need forms! They have all sorts of legal forms at the library that you can copy for free or plagerize to make them meet your needs.

I would be upset if I didn't understand that my kids pictures were going to be on the web and found them there. You don't want to risk the ire of your customers. (Half the time even if you tell them something they don't really hear...KWIM?)
Suzy

murpheyblue · 06-13-2008, 10:34 AM

There are links to model release on the main page of ILP.
ILP (Powered by Invision Power Board)?

Carol in Maryland · 06-13-2008, 10:36 AM

Definitely get them to sign one of the model forms. (& us a model, you will never get all the boilerplate if you try to draft one yourself)

brandanaleighana · 06-13-2008, 10:59 AM

Thank you so much! Ali, thanks for that link also, lots of good stuff there.

KBtotheBB · 06-13-2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandanaleighana

I am working my way towards starting a photography business.

No advice, but YAY!

murpheyblue · 06-13-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandanaleighana

Thank you so much! Ali, thanks for that link also, lots of good stuff there.

Yeah, ILP has tons and tons of info. Kind of overwhelming but a great site. There is also a fabulous board that I belong to called clickinmoms. It's got everything from newbies to pros and is smaller and, quite frankly, more friendly than ILP. There's a lot of gals on there who are starting out in their photography businesses. There is a small fee for memberships but it may be something you'd be interested in.