All About IDs and Model Releases

The following notes might help you avoid problems. It mainly applies to the UK, but no doubt will be more generally useful.

Age

• You must be 18+.
• If you are under 18 then trust me, you don't want to work for anyone who will shoot you. They would be committing serious offences, and should be viewed as potentially dangerous. (If you know something that could send someone to prison for several years, you always have to worry what they might do).

Model Release

• If you sign a model release you are allowing the photographer to use the material in any way covered by the release. This will normally mean "however they want".
• If you want to put conditions on any use of material, you must get that down in writing in the release.
  • MYTH - no release means no publication. Under UK law ANY photograph belongs to the photographer and in practice he can do what he likes with it UNLESS there is a clearly written agreement detailing what can/cannot be done. Verbal agreements are binding as well, but "your word against his" messy.
    • Paparazzi don't get releases, but do get sales...
    • The legal purpose of the release is to provide evidence of explicit permission for publication. Most publishers will NOT take material that does not have a release. They don't want the aggro.
    • However the photographer could self publish - on their website for example. Or if you became famous then the papers WILL risk publishing and say "see you in court".
    • If you DO NOT want material to be published, get the photographer to sign a document of yours saying that "this material is NOT for publication."
    • But that still isn't good enough - he could share with others, who put on the Net etc, so the general rule is don't do work that you wouldn't want to be made public.

ID Requirements

• Most professional shoots will require 2 forms of ID, at least one of which is a photo ID. Passorts and Driving Licences are the main photo IDs.
• A photographer is quite within their rights to send you home without pay if you turn up without valid ID. If you do not have a Passport AND a photo Driving Licence you should advise them when the booking is made - maybe you have other suitable IDs.

STD Certificates (often just called certs)

• Needed for all GG and BG hardcore shoots.
• Should be less than 30 days old.
• All STD Clinics will do tests, but not all supply certs - so ask first.
• Certs normally cost £30-£60 on the NHS.