Uploading Model Release for your Images

Hello! We're back with more important facts and now that you know how to upload your images via Web Uploader and FTP Client Uploader, you need to know the juicy bits of IMPORTANT information as a photographer – having proper releases for your models and properties.

Taking photographs of your friends and family seems like a norm, but when any human features that is identifiable in the photograph, they become the subject of the image, in other words, a model.

Here are some General FAQs that you need to know about Model Releases.

What is a Model Release?
A Model Release is a proper authorization document in which the photographed model grants photographer the permission to photograph and distribute the images of the model under certain conditions (Licensing).

Why do I need a Model Release?
A model release is a documented proof of permission given by a model to the photographer to distribute images photograph and distribute images of the model under certain conditions. It also acts as a liability waiver to the photographer should any legal issues arise related to the distribution of those images.

Can I use another Agency's Model Release for 123RF.com?
Model Releases are pretty generic and is not unique to any Royalty Free Stock Photo agency. You may use 123RF's Model Release at any other agency and vice versa.

Filling up the Model Release is pretty self explanatory. If you are living in a country that does not use English as its primary language you may translate the Model Release into the native language and use it accordingly in the same capacity. We accept Model Releases in other languages too! However, model releases are legal for a reason. As a photographer, you should take note of these IMPORTANT FACTS stated below;

Adult Model Release:For Models ABOVE 18 years of age (ABOVE 21 of age in certain countries)

• All the adult model release are required to obtain signatures by the model.

Minor Model Release:For Models BELOW 18 years of age (BELOW 21 of age in certain countries)

• When shooting models below the age limit during the photo shoot session, you are required to obtain signatures of the legal parent or guardian of the model.

IMPORTANT :
1. Always get a 3^rd party to witness the Model Release and endorse the Model Release appropriately. The photographer/model is NOT ALLOWED to sign off as a witness in a Model Release.
2. Please provide the information of the model to the best of your ability. Model Releases serve to protect not only the photographer but also the model and the agency that markets your content, so PLEASE provide truthful information only.
   

123RF's policy states that photographs that contains a recognizable features of a person without a valid and signed Model Release will be rejected. However as a standard practice, we will not reject any image without Model or Property releases for a reasonable amount of time after the image has been uploaded. Submitting images with identifiable features of a human without a model release can result in civil liability for the photographer. Now that you got a gist what a Model Release is all about, let's look at the Guide below on how to download a Model Release and fill it in properly.

NOTE : Please adhere to the following guidelines pertaining to Model Releases as this is a legal documentation that may result in civil liability if not done the correct way.

STEP 1 : Downloading a Model Release 
Please refer to the images for better apprehension

1. Log into 123RF.com (if you haven't already done so)

2. Scroll down on the main page and look at “For Photographers” Menu. Click on “Sell Images” 

3.  You will be directed to “Sell Images” menu. Click on “Releases”
   
   
    

4. There will be two types of releases in PDF format. For Models, click on the “Model Release” link as shown below:
   
   
   
   

5. A new window will appear and load the Model Release for you. Scroll down. NOTE : Please make sure you have Adobe PDF Reader installed FIRST, if not you can install it for free here. Get Adobe Reader FREE!

   It would be a good idea to print several copies for personal use at your own leisure. Alternatively, you may also save a copy to your hard disk so that you can print it out later.

   This is how the Model Release will look :

   

STEP 2 : Filling in the Model Release 
Please refer to the images for better apprehension

There are TWO types of Model Releases ; Adult and Minor Model Releases. Please refer to the images below on how to fill in model releases for models.  

IMPORTANT: If you are going to be the model in your own photo shoot, YOU are also REQUIRED to sign the Model Release too. No exceptions.

ADULT Model Release



Image 1

MINOR Model Release

Image 2

NOTE :

• Physical copies of the Model Releases can be filled in via handwriting, and MUST be scanned in an Upright Horizontal position. (if you do not own a scanner, you are allowed to snap a photo of the Model Release in the same manner – the information written must be clear and readable on the image)


• Photographer's / Model's information on Model Releases can also be filled in via computer software programs such as Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Paint but SIGNATURES of both photographer and model must be via handwriting.

STEP 3 : Uploading Model Releases @123RF
Please refer to the images for better apprehension

Now that you have already filled in the Model Releases for your images (make sure both physical copies and soft copies of the Model Releases are kept in a safe place), you will have to upload the Model Release(s) into our system. If not, have your images uploaded and ready to be attached by a model release.  

Example Image

1.  Go to “Sell Images” menu (as in STEP 1) Click on “Releases”. Click on the link “Upload one now”

   

2.  Browse for the Model Release on your computer. Select the Model Release that you want to upload for your images. NOTE : Model Releases are only acceptable in JPG and PDF formats only.

3. Choose the appropriate Type of Release that you are about to upload. For this case, Select “Model” in the drop menu.

   

4. After attaching the release that you are looking for,  Key in a name for your release (eg; model_name_date_of_photoshoot.jpg/pdf) And you can key in a description of your model release for your own purposes.

5. Click on the “Upload” tab. Process of Uploading is on the way.

   

6. Your uploaded Releases will be shown like this.
   
   

STEP 4 : Attaching your Releases to your Images

Now that you've already uploaded your releases, here is the fun part. You are just a step away from having the proper releases attached to the respective models of your images.

NOTE :
Make sure to have an image of the model in the release, although optional, it is advisable to do so for easy reference on our side. Please refer to the images below to understand better.

1. Go back to “Release” page (refer to STEP 1 on how to get there), you will see that your uploaded Release is now in a table like below. To attach Model Release to your images, proceed to “Check on the Box”.
   
   
2. Select on “Attach Selected Releases to Photos” tab
   
   
   
   
3. You will be directed to a new page that shows the status of your “checked release” that you are going to attach to the images of the respective models in your portfolio. NOTE : Click on the “Open” to make sure that it is readable.
   
   
4. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. You will see your image (example image) arranged in a manner that will be easy for you to “check”. To begin, check the “Attach (model-release-name)” and start attaching relevant photographs. Once checked, your images will have the model release attached to their images respectively.

NOTE :
If ALL your images belong to one model in your release, you are allowed to “Attach All” in order to cut down your time by clicking one by one. Make sure that ONE MODEL RELEASE is for ONE MODEL ONLY.

This concludes the Model Release Guidelines. How did you find attaching model releases like? It isn't all that hard, ain't it? Well, start uploading your releases and attach them to your respective models now!

READ MORE! : Release Guide : Property - Uploading Property Releases for your Images