Key Photography Forms for Success

You can have a rewarding photography career without ever needing a single form. An outdoor photographer doesn't need to worry about a bear suing him. When it comes to taking pictures of people, however, a photographer would do well to familiarize himself with the legalities surrounding the issue. Right to privacy laws protect people from having their images used in certain ways. These laws apply to nude photography, newborn photography, boudoir style pictures, maternity photography, and more. Here are some things any photographer should know about the key forms in the field. Wedding photographers, fashion photographers, and portfolio photographers take note.

Photo Use

Even if a freelance photographer is taking a picture only to be used for private viewing, it can't hurt to use a modeling release form. A freelance photographer may need permission for a photograph that will be used in a news article or within educational material. Therefore, even portfolio photographers may want to try and secure a modeling form just to avoid trouble.

Photography and Public Display

It is when you use a photograph for public display (with exception to the fair use of media) that you will need the permission of your subject. A model permission form--familiar to fashion photographers --should cover your bases for most purposes, including website use, brochures, calendars, books, wedding photography, and so forth. This form also applies if you intend to sell the photograph to a third party. Those who mostly do studio photography should have these forms on hand. Don't mistakenly assume that a model signing off on studio photography automatically gives you the right to the pictures. This is especially important in nude photography or boudoir photography, where the client's privacy is paramount. While photographers working on a small scale can sometimes get away with a verbal agreement, it is recommended to have something in writing. Oral agreements, though used sometimes by wedding photographers, tend to fall apart in lawsuit scenarios.

Copyright Release

Model release forms are essential for professional photographers, but that's only one aspect of the business. If you are taking pictures of a client or having your photographs developed professionally, you will need to have copyright forms on hand. Your wedding photography clients, for instance, may need these to get prints of their photos at a later time from the lab. Additionally, the lab you're working with may want something in writing to ensure they do not run afoul of copyright law themselves when developing your newborn photography.

Selling Your Photos

Any time you're dealing with a product that is as much intellectual property as it is a physical resource, you want to make sure you are covered completely. When you sell a photograph to a magazine, for instance, are you selling them the rights to the image, the physical picture itself, the negatives, your brand of maternity photography, or what? These things need to be hammered out carefully in a contract before the sale goes through. Some professional photographers also insist on including a liability clause in their photo sales contracts, protecting them from financial damage should someone sue the client over publishing the image. Even an outdoor photographer should have a good sales form ready to go.