When do you need a photo release form?

A photographer researches when you need a photo release form for consent on a laptop.

Don’t snap any pictures with the intent to publish without first protecting yourself. Learn how to use a photo release consent form to get permission to publish your photos.

If you’re a small business, you’re probably trying to use social media to grow. You might not be thinking about whom you need permission from before you publish photos on various platforms. Prioritize protection when capturing images for publication by understanding when to use a photo release form to secure permission.

You’re welcome to take pictures of whatever you want, but you’re not allowed to publish photos of people, places, or property without consent from the owner. That’s where a photo release comes in.

A photo release consent form is written permission from the owner of your subject stating that they’re okay with you publishing their property. It’s essentially a photography contract between you and the owner of the subject.

You should use a photo release consent form PDF any time you plan on using an image for commercial purposes. In other words, if your picture is going to generate money — even indirectly for marketing or sales purposes — you need a release form.

When someone signs your photo release form, they might be interested in understanding the scope of permission they’ve just given you. Where can you share the photos, and for what purposes? These different types of forms typically describe limits on your sharing so your subjects can confidently sign.

Video
Childcare
School
Minor
Model
Workplace
Copyrighted Photo
Pet
Property

Some of these categories might be surprising to you. Use this list to consider the subjects you photograph; it could help you avoid legal snafus.

A photo release consent form is a legal document, which means it needs to include specific information. While there’s no exact template, include at least the following:

Names of both parties and whether they’re giving or receiving permission to use the photo.
Brief description of the images, the photographer, and the date.
Details about the permission, including specific publishing methods allowed, naming conventions, etc.
Spaces for signatures, printed names, and dates.

These are essential elements when it comes to efficiently signing forms online or in PDFs. Once signed, you’ll have legal permission to publish your photos anywhere, as defined by the consent form.

It’s common for photographers to get permission after taking the picture. Instead of driving back to the location or meeting your model, use electronic signature software like Adobe Acrobat Sign. That way, you can simply email the consent form, and they can add their legal signature with the click of a button.

Legally, it’s significant for photographers to understand what is considered private in their country or state. This could determine whether you need a photo release form to publish an image, as well as whether it is legal for you to photograph something in the first place.

In some states, it’s legal to photograph private property as long as it’s easily visible from public property and as long as it’s generally considered publicly accessible. Property owners, however, may prohibit photography when you’re on their property. In many places, getting a photo consent release form is a good idea if you’re photographing private property you think the owner will recognize when you publish the photo.

If these laws seem applicable to the photography you’re using to promote your business, be sure to look up and understand the specific laws about privacy in your country and state.