What is a model release?
A model release is a form collected by the photographer and signed by a person depicted in an image. This form gives the photographer and the image buyer permission to use that person’s likeness for commercial purposes such as an advertisement or brochure.

What is a property release?
A property release is a form signed by a property owner allowing use of the depicted property for commercial purposes. This form gives the photographer and the image
buyer permission to use the depicted property for commercial purposes such as an advertisement or brochure.

Where can I find your release forms?
Model Release form
Property Release form

Why is it important for an image to be model and/or property released?
Legally, you need a release to use an image for commercial purposes like an advertisement or brochure, so it’s important to get consent from the model or property owner. Besides simply being the polite thing to do, getting the model or property owner's permission protects all of us against legal claims.

Do you require model and/or property releases for all of your images?
Yes, if the image contains recognizable persons or otherwise requires one. During the uploading process, attach a model and/or property release to the related image(s). Our staff checks that there are signed, submitted releases during the image review process.

What is “property”?
"Property" can be many things: works of art, animals, cars, boats, planes, buildings, land, and commercial spaces like a restaurant or store.

When does a picture need to be model and/or property released?
For images made available through the site, model releases are required for any image that contains recognizable people. A person could be recognizable by their face, uniform or nametag, or distinctive tattoos, clothing, and hairstyles. One way to check if a model release is needed is to ask yourself: “if I was the person in this image, would I be able to recognize myself?” If “yes”, then you should try to get a model release.

Property releases are a bit trickier. General images of artwork or corporate branded products are not suitable for royalty-free images. You should always try to get a property release for images of:
- Interiors and exteriors of private homes, apartments, and condos.
- Commercial working animals, including racehorses and show animals.
- Commercial interiors or exteriors, such as hotels, restaurants, stores, and amusement parks. If you have to pay admission to enter a property, chances are you will need a property release.

What are your model and property release requirements?
While we prefer use of our model and property release forms, other forms may be acceptable provided they contain similar language and hold to the following guidelines:

- Releases must be in English (dual-language is acceptable)
- Releases must be legible
- Each model or property must have its own individual release

Model releases must contain the following:
- Model's printed or typed full name
- Model's signature
- Model's complete contact information
- Model's birthdate and age at the time of the shoot
- Shoot date and signing date
- Photographer's name or studio name.

If the model is a minor (under 18) then we also require:
- Printed or typed parent or guardian name
- Parent or guardian signature
- Name of minor (may be present elsewhere in release)

Optional, but helpful in the event a problem arises:
- Thumbnail image and ID of model attached to release
- Model's sex
- Model's ethnicity
- Description of shoot

Property releases must contain the following:
- Name/description and location of property
- Owner or authorized representative's printed or typed full name
- Owner or authorized representative's signature
- Owner or authorized representative's full contact information
- Also include the authorized person's title ("owner", "manager", etc.)
- Shoot date and signing date
- Photographer's name or studio name

We also prefer that Property Releases contain:
- Thumbnail image of property attached to release
- Shoot description