The Importance of releasing your pictures!

This relates to my stock imagery but its worth a read if you are commissioning.

I bet you didnt know that my collection of library images of more than 10000, every single one is Model and Property released! Last time I looked I had released 2600 people and released nearly 300 locations!

If you use images out of the libraries regularly you will understand the frustration of finding that amazing picture that’s just right for your use only to find its not released….its for editorial use only! Well, you don’t get that with my collection they’re ALL released!

Its not an easy thing to do and I’ve had many assistants complain that its been hard to get to all people in the scene and sometimes I’ve had people refuse to sign up, for whatever reason its their right and I respect it and the shot just has to be done again. Many projects have never got off the ground because collaborating organisations have not understood the legality of the Property release or there was no one willing to sign but 300, of which some are major international companies have been willing to do so.

There are no ifs and buts, rules are rules.

You might ask why bother releasing?

It makes my pictures safe from the possible retrospective claims that persons or locations might make upon you when you use the image in your advertising. Gives you peace of mind.

If you are commissioning then you should also consider releasing those in your bespoke images! And here’s a story to be aware of: I was shooting for a multi national company and we spent several hours shooting a very friendly man operating an impressive and dramatic machine that appeared on the front cover of their brochure. Some time later this man was dismissed for a blatant and serious breach of health and safety rules. He then objected to the use of his image on the front cover and wanted payment…a considerable amount! It was cheaper to bring me back and reshoot it with some one else who had signed a release!

The Gold standard Model and Property releases are from Getty Images and here is a link with further information: https://contributors.gettyimages.com/article_public.aspx?article_id=1834