The Back Side Of Model Releases
Posted: June 26, 2012
If you think you don't need to get a model release just because you can't see their face, think again. There are certain instances in which you might have to have a release even if you think you don't.
If you think you don't need to get a model release just because you can't see their face, think again. There are certain instances in which you might have to have a release even if you think you don't.
© Belyaevskiy - Fotolia.com[/caption]Last summer I was traveling in Central America and as a photographer, it was obvious to me that I will take this as an opportunity to add photos to my portfolio.
In the past, I've already licensed, sold & published some of my photos and was sure that I know all the details & restrictions about licensing a photo and whether I need to have a model release (written permission to use my photos for any purpose) or not.
When I arrived to the beach town Puerto Viejo I started photographing surfers and tourists and since I knew that I was not gonna start signing each and every one of them on a model release form, I made sure to photograph them from angles that did not reveal their faces. I assumed that this way my subjects will not be recognizable and I won't need a model release. Boy I was wrong (: