Standard form to sign? As an amateur photographer, what is the best procedure for taking pictures of other people's children? Is there a standardized form for the parent to sign? These...

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

As an amateur photographer, what is the best procedure for taking pictures of other people's children? Is there a standardized form for the parent to sign? These photos would potentially be submitted to contests. Thanks for the advice.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Golden Rule wrote:

As an amateur photographer, what is the best procedure for taking pictures of other people's children? Is there a standardized form for the parent to sign? These photos would potentially be submitted to contests. Thanks for the advice.

Here's one of many:
http://www.betterphoto.com/masterpiece-membership/minorModel_Release2009.doc

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Mogul wrote:

Here's one of many:
http://www.betterphoto.com/masterpiece-membership/minorModel_Release2009.doc

I can't imagine any parent being willing to sign that. "...and for any purpose whatsoever..." That's pretty vague and totally all-inclusive.

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

Golden Rule wrote:

As an amateur photographer, what is the best procedure for taking pictures of other people's children? Is there a standardized form for the parent to sign? These photos would potentially be submitted to contests. Thanks for the advice.

Be careful, extremely careful!

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

jerryc41 wrote:

I can't imagine any parent being willing to sign that. "...and for any purpose whatsoever..." That's pretty vague and totally all-inclusive.

Unless it is a large corporation (Gerber, Kellogg's, The Gap) with a sales promotion contract, I can't imagine ANY parent signing ANY kind of release for a photo of a child. I included that reference because that's what the OP was looking for. But you are absolutely right, Jerry; these days, signing any kind of a blanket release, for a child or an adult, is careless and insane.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Mogul wrote:

Unless it is a large corporation (Gerber, Kellogg's, The Gap) with a sales promotion contract, I can't imagine ANY parent signing ANY kind of release for a photo of a child. I included that reference because that's what the OP was looking for. But you are absolutely right, Jerry; these days, signing any kind of a blanket release, for a child or an adult, is careless and insane.

I feel sorry for professional photographers who are trying to get a release signed. "...for any purposes whatsoever..." would be a red flag for me. On the other hand, it's not possible to list every use that might come up in the future.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

jerryc41 wrote:

I can't imagine any parent being willing to sign that. "...and for any purpose whatsoever..." That's pretty vague and totally all-inclusive.

I'd bet that most parents would sign it in a heartbeat if they knew the photographer at all. You put that in front of the average parent and they think they're signing their kid's passage to stardom....just sayin.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Pepper wrote:

I'd bet that most parents would sign it in a heartbeat if they knew the photographer at all. You put that in front of the average parent and they think they're signing their kid's passage to stardom....just sayin.

Instant, free gratification with no responsibility. Gee, sounds like a societal problem.

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

jerryc41 wrote:

I feel sorry for professional photographers who are trying to get a release signed. "...for any purposes whatsoever..." would be a red flag for me. On the other hand, it's not possible to list every use that might come up in the future.

Really not that hard. Actually it's real easy. I don't ever disclose a name and my contract says so.
I regularly get consenting parents to sign release forms that I don't even know. I tell them there kid is real cute(Never a lie).. I am a professional digial artist.... I will pay them $5..I will send them a copy suitable for Facebook.. I will not disclose anyones name..... They almost always sign my release. I own the picture I just can't use the name anywhere....

I almost always ask people for their picture. I don't do the street candid thing... I never liked those type of shots anyway.

The consent form won't work in New York City......

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

This is in my minor model release and not one parent has ever not signed it;

" b) To use, re-use, publish and re-publish the same in whole or in part, separately or in conjunction with other photographs, in any medium now or hereafter known, and for any purpose whatsoever, including (but not by way of limitation) illustration, promotion, advertising and trade."

So all you guys stating that parents would not sign it.... BZZZZT, thank you for playing the game, wrong answer. :-)

I would NEVER use an image in any way to embarrass or denigrate a client...but that is what the form says.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

CaptainC wrote:

This is in my minor model release and not one pare... (show quote)

I'm glad you've had such success. I wouldn't sign it. I was asked to sign one for my daughter once, but refused. The photographer tried an end run, asking my wife when I wasn't home. Big mistake!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Pale and Captain, I'm glad to hear that people are more cooperative than I thought they would be.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Mogul wrote:

I'm glad you've had such success. I wouldn't sign it. I was asked to sign one for my daughter once, but refused. The photographer tried an end run, asking my wife when I wasn't home. Big mistake!

And that is OK. If someone chose not to sign it, I would not use the image on my website - and that is all it is for. However - the form does cover all eventualities.

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Mogul wrote:

I'm glad you've had such success. I wouldn't sign it. I was asked to sign one for my daughter once, but refused. The photographer tried an end run, asking my wife when I wasn't home. Big mistake!

Some how I don't think Cliff does the end run.
I surely don't
I don't usually put paying studio customers(seniors or children on my website.) but I still get a release.
Similar to Cliffs.

I've never photographed the child of a mogul. From the sound of it I never will. Fortunately 100 percent of my customers are not Moguls. Although a few would be considered very well off.

:-) :D

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

PalePictures wrote:

Some how I don't think Cliff does the end run.
I surely don't

I've never photographed the child of a mogul. From the sound of it I never will. Fortunately 100 percent of my customers are not Moguls. Although a few would be considered very well off.

:-) :D

I agree that most photographers would not try an end run. What shocked me was that this photographer was hired by the company for which I worked. The company finally agreed to some specific terms and I signed a VERY limited release which was previewed by my personal attorney.

As to taking the picture of a Mogul, I am aware that there are several definitions of the word. In the context of my user name, however, the word applies to a particular configuration of steam engine and certainly not to any status as an important or powerful person. It might be difficult to photograph the offspring of a railroad locomotive.