A model release is a formal agreement between the model and the photographer about usage of the images where the model appears. When a model signs a model release he or she acknowledges that images or movies with him or her in them will be used for commercial purposes around the world.
The images and movies cannot be used for just anything, and the agencies that sell images, known as stock agencies, have a long set of “user rights and restrictions” that protects the model and the photographer from abusive usage of the material. The restrictions are very tight, so abusive usage almost never happens.
Click and find “model released” to see how model releases are presented to Clients when buying images:
Most professional or international models have signed model releases many times, but for new models this aspect can feel a little uncertain. When you are asked to sign a model release, take your time to read it through and ask any questions you may have to the photographer or film-maker on the set. Even though the model release is written in a very formal language, try to remember that basically this is just a contract that formally allows the photographer to use the pictures he is taking of you.
You can read and download a universally accepted model release here:
Universal adult & minor model release for all agencies (.pdf)
Universal property release for all agencies (.pdf)
If you are a stock photographer and looking for a model release template or form that you can use with all microstock agencies, feel free to use this one. We have had all our images approved on all microstock agencies using this form.
Thanks for the model release template.
thank you Yuri for the release forms. Your information about model release forms was also extremely helpful.
Great site, very helpful.
Thank you for your help and advice
Thanks for the releases and all the other useful content on your website. With a certain Stock company cutting into their contributors earnings, I will cancel my exclusivity and these releases were just what I needed!
Thanks for model release form. I’ve found it for long time.
You you could change the webpage title What is a model release? – Download a Generic Model Release | Yuri Arcurs to something more specific for your content you write. I enjoyed the blog post however.
Thank you for all your great articles! Good job Yuri! Keep it up! 🙂
Thank you yuri this is just what i need!
Hey teenager asking a question here:
Does the “minor model release form” go along with family members? Like, my little brother is perfect for stock photography, but to what extent do you need a model release form ? or is it one of these “no exception” things?
Hello Yuri,
and thanks for sharing all this material.
I am using your model release and it’s fine with Fotolia and (sometimes!) for istockphoto.
Sometimes in fact they reject my files saying it doesn’t have all the information they require. Obviously I am complaining with them about that (one yes, one no etc) but….never happened to you? Any suggestion?
Thank you again!
Cristiano (Italian, from Switzerland!)
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Thanks for sharing these forms.
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Thanks for sharing! greetings from Poland
There is a spelling mistake on the property release form in the first part – you put photograghs and it should be photographs.
Thanks for the form though!
Best
Heather
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Yuri, thanks for the form, this is what I am really looking for 😉
Thanks so much! Saved me the typing. =)
Yuri You are fantastic person – great tools. Thank You.
Thank you Yuri
Hello, the model releases are non longer available.. is it possible to have themback?
thank you. pietro.
Hello Pietro,
Thank you for bringing that to our attention, the links have now been updated.
Regards,
Michelle
Hello!
This model release was rejected by Dreamstime, they sad that in Russia it doesn’t work because of law. Other microstocks approved it.
Yuri has simply modified the iStockphoto model release. You can get it yourself and customize it to your liking. About a year ago, I downloaded the PDF from them – (http://www.istockphoto.com/help/sell-stock/training-manuals/flash/releases), converted it to a Word document (required Acrobat Reader X – it’s free), and then personalized it including adding my signature.