Model release form
A model release form is a signed permission from a person who appears in photos or video, letting the photographer or brand use those images for stated purposes.
What it is
A model release is the model's written permission to use their likeness. Without one, many publishers, stock libraries and ad buyers will not take the images. The release does not transfer copyright in the photo. It deals with the person in it: their face, body, voice and name.
It is close to a photography release form, and people use the names loosely. In practice, a model release is signed by the person shown, while a photography release is often about the photographer's work and who may use it.
When it is used
- Commercial shoots for ads, catalogues and product pages.
- Stock photography, where the library asks for a release for each recognisable person.
- Social and brand content made by an agency for a client.
- Event or classroom photos used later in marketing, as in education.
What it usually contains
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Parties | The model, and the photographer or company receiving the rights |
| Shoot details | Date, place and a short description of the session |
| Grant of permission | Which images are covered and that the receiver may use them |
| Permitted uses | Where the images may appear, such as print, web or ads, and whether editing is allowed |
| Limits | Uses that are excluded, such as sensitive subjects or certain products |
| Term and territory | How long and where the permission applies |
| Payment | The fee, or a statement that the shoot was unpaid or paid in kind |
| Minor's consent | A parent or guardian section when the model is under age |
| Signatures and date | The model, any guardian, and often a witness or the photographer |
Things to get right
- Match the release to the use. A release for a portfolio does not stretch to a national ad. Name the uses you need now and the ones you may need later.
- Collect it before the images are used. Ideally before the shoot ends, while the model is still there.
- Minors need a guardian. Usually a parent or guardian signs for a model under age. Rules differ by place, so check yours.
- Keep it with the images. Store the signed PDF next to the files it covers, with the shoot date in the title.
This page is general information about a common document. It is not legal advice, and a lawyer should look at your release before you rely on it.
How to send it for signature with docuinked
In the app
Upload your release as a PDF, place a signature, name and date field for the model, and add a second signer for a guardian when needed. Save it as a template so the next shoot takes one minute. The model signs on their own phone from the link. No account or app is needed.
By API
One call creates and sends the release. The access_code keeps the link useful only to someone who was at the shoot, where you can read the code out loud.
curl https://docuinked.com/v1/documents \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $DOCUINKED_API_KEY" \
-H "Idempotency-Key: release-shoot-0412-model-3" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"title": "Model release, spring catalogue shoot",
"pdf_url": "https://example.com/model-release.pdf",
"signers": [{"name": "Riley Park", "email": "riley@example.com", "access_code": "4412"}],
"fields": [{"signer": 1, "kind": "signature", "anchor": "Model signature:"},
{"signer": 1, "kind": "name", "anchor": "Printed name:"},
{"signer": 1, "kind": "date", "anchor": "Date:"}],
"send": true}'Start with a test key and the address sign@test.docuinked.com. See test mode.
From an agent
A booking assistant connected over MCP can call create_from_template with the model's name and email once a shoot is confirmed. On a live key, the send stops at an approval_url, and a named person on your team approves it. The agent never signs. See approvals and agents.
Related
- Photography release form
- Liability waiver, for risky locations or stunts
- Electronic signature
- Pricing: first 5 documents free, then $9 a month
Sources
Checked 2026-11-07.
- ESIGN Act, 15 USC 7001: a signature or contract may not be denied effect solely because it is electronic.
Common questions
Can a model sign the release on set from their phone?
Yes. The signing page works on any phone. Send the link before the shoot ends and wait for the completed status before people leave.
Who signs a model release when the model is a child?
Usually a parent or guardian, often alongside the child. Add the guardian as a second signer with their own fields, and check the rules where you shoot.
Does a signed model release give me the copyright in the photos?
No. A release is permission to use the person's likeness. Copyright in the image is a separate question between the photographer and whoever commissioned the work.
Can I use one release for a group shoot?
Each recognisable person should sign their own release. Send one document per person, so each record shows exactly who agreed to what.
Related
Try it in test mode
Free during the beta. Test keys send no email, so you can build the whole flow first.