Fillable Form Photo Release Form

What is a Photo Release Form?

A Photo Release Form is a legally binding document that authorizes a photographer, a business entity, or a specific individual (the releasee) to obtain photographs for personal or commercial purposes. The model (the releasor) gives permission, can request payment, and royalties, or can provide the rights to future use, free of charge.

When a recognizable image of an individual will be utilized in an attempt to receive profit, a Photo Release Consent Form is required. Profit may be defined as money, promotion of services, or publication. Anytime an individual is hired as a model (either as an employee or as an independent contractor), a photo release form will be needed in order to distribute and use those photos for profit.

When shooting photos in public, you do not need to fill out a photo release form. YouTubers and most media outlets would be in big trouble if every person captured in a photo had to sign a photo release form. Normally, taking images on public property without a photo release form is completely legal.

A photo release form has seven types:

• Daycare Photo Release Form – Provides consent from a parent or legal guardian to use photos of their child. The images may be used internally or for commercial use.
• Employee Photo Release Form – Provides consent to an employer to use an employee’s photo for commercial use such as an “About” page on the company’s website or for marketing purposes.
• Minor (Child) Photo Release Form – Provides consent to a third party to use the photos of their child. Common for school photos but can also be used for professional purposes.
• Model Photo Release Form – Can be used by a photographer giving consent to the model for use of the photos or from a model to give consent to the photographer.
• Pet Photo Release Form – Provides a third party the right to use images taken of their pet.
• Photography Copyright Release Form – Allows for the “copyright” or “trademark” images or letters to be removed from any photos taken by a photographer. This is common for school or photos.
• Video Release Form – Allows someone else to have the consent to use any video that was taken of an individual for personal or commercial use.

Consider the following when creating a photo release form:

• Who is granting permission to use his or her photo?

• What, if anything, is the releasor receiving as compensation?

• Where are the photos being taken?

• When is the agreement being signed?

• How can the releasee use the photographs?

When a Photo Release Form involves a subject who is not of legal age, at least one parent or legal guardian must sign and consent to the terms of the form. Adulthood determining age is defined by each state and local laws should be referred or legal counsel can be requested. A parent or guardian's signature is not required for an emancipated minor.

A Photo Release Form Template typically requires the following information:

• Releasor – the person giving permission to use his or her photographs and/or video.

• Releasee – the person receiving permission to use the photographs and/or video.

• Photos – date and event where the photographs and/or video were taken.

• Parent or Guardian Signature – the signature of the parent or guardian if the releasor is under the legal age of 18.

• Approval – the releasor will not have prior approval over the use of the photos.

• Claims – the releasee will not sue the releasor regarding the use of the photos.

• Governing Law – the state’s law that will govern the release.

• Modifications – any changes to the release must be in writing.

• Ownership – all photos belong to the releasee and will not be returned to the releasor.

• Severable – if one part of the release is not valid, the rest of the release is still valid.

A Photo Release can be a separate form or included in a general Release or Waiver Agreement.

How to fill out a Photo Release Form?

Using PDFRun, you can electronically fill out and download a PDF copy of a Photo Release Form PDF in minutes. Fill it out by following the instructions below.

Releasor

Enter your full name.

Address

Enter your complete address, including street number, city, state, and ZIP code.

Section A

This section states that you consent and authorize (enter the name of the releasee), located at (enter street address) City of (enter city) State of (enter state) to use your likeness in any photograph, video, or other digital media taken or to be taken on (enter date).

Section B

This section states that you consent and authorize the release to use your photos during (enter event description) in any and all of its publications, including print or web-based publications.

Section C

This section states that you irrevocably authorize (enter the name of the releasee) to copy, edit, enhance, crop, or otherwise alter any photo for use in their publications. You also waive any rights for approval or inspection of any of the photos.

Section D

This section states that you understand and agree that all photos are the property of (enter the name of the releasee), and will not be returned to you.

Section E

This section states that you acknowledge that you are entitled to any compensation or royalties with respect to the use of the photos.

Section F

This section states that you agree to release and forever discharge (enter the name of the releasee) and its affiliates, successors and assigns, officers, employees, representatives, partners, agents, and anyone claiming through them, in their individual and/or corporate capacities from any and all claims, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, disputes, demands, damages, causes of action of any nature or kind, known or unknown, which you, and anyone claiming on behalf of you, may have or claim to have against the releasee in connection with this release.

Section G

This section states that you have carefully read and fully understand all the provisions of this Photo Release Form and you are freely, knowingly, and voluntarily signing.

Signature over Printed Name of Releasor

Affix your signature over your printed name.

Date

Enter the date you signed the form.