TFCD and Model Release Contract

What is a model release contract?

In short, a model release is a form of legal document that assigns the right to the photograph.

Any published image that is for commercial use except for most editorial work must have a signed model release before it can be published. Your photographer will most probably ask you to sign a model release either before or after the photoshoot.

When is a model release necessary?

So, when are you required to sign a release?

Anytime you are being paid for your modeling services no matter if the payment is in money or you are trading your talents for photographer services (TFCD) You will probably be asked to sign a model release. As a professional model the release will become a fact of life to you.

You should ask your photographer some simple questions before signing a model release but the main one is ...

How will my images be used?

There are many reasons photographers need model pictures including ...

* To display in his/her portfolio
* To display on an online portfolio
* To sell to magazines or newspapers for editorial usage
* To sell to stock images companies
* To use for clients in advertising situations (i.e product advertisement)

Many of these questions about usage will be answered when you apply to work with the photographer but if not, it's a good idea to find out the intent.

What is a TFCD contract?
Very often, model release only protects the photographer. How about us models?

When working with a photographer that you are unfamiliar with, I will strongly encourage you to get a TFCD contract signed prior the shoot.

Why is a TFCD contract necessary?

Imagine the following scenario:

* Big watermarks across all images returned
* No high resolution images are returned
* Only 1 or 2 images are returned for a 3 hours (or more) photoshoot session
* All returned images are UNPROCESSED.... (What the....)

A TFCD contract actually protects you from the above mentioned scenarios.

The list actually goes on and on. Both the photographer and the model put in heaps of effort to make the shoot work and I believe both parties deserve fair treatment.

I want to like to also express that I am not an attorney and have no intention of giving you legal advice about the state and international laws surrounding TFCD and model releases. I'm attaching and sharing a copy of the TFCD and model release contract that I personally will use when necessary. Do let me know if you have any comments or good updates that you recommend!

TFCD and model release contract