If your photo contains recognizable images of people or property, you will need to have a model or
property release forms in order to sell your photo for commercial use (editorial use does not require releases).
To learn more about releases and how to submit them, use links below:
Overview
Model and property releases are the written
agreements signed by models and property owners that permit photographers to commercially exploit photos of
people and their property. Properly completed release forms have to be signed, and include the model/property
owner name, date, address, and preferably e-mail.
For more in-depth information about releases, please visit the
Stanford University website: the section about releases describes
all aspects and issues related to this subject.
Model Releases
Model releases are required for any recognizable and uniquely identifiable people on your photos that you are
selling for commercial use. These photos also include self-portraits, photos of relatives, spouses, children,
friends, celebrities, politicians, shots on the street, photos made in another country, etc. If your photo
contains images of minors, release should be completed and signed by a parent or legal guardian on behalf of the
minor.
Property Releases
Property releases are required for any recognizable and uniquely identifiable property (including your own)
on your photos that you are selling for commercial use. Usually a property is a building, but it can also be an
automobile, boat, or any unique item in a private owner's possession. Some parks, national reserves, and landmarks
can also require permits to take photos or use photos taken there on the commercial basis. Please refer to our
submission guidelines for further examples of properties and landmarks
that may require written permission for commercial use licensing.
Getting Official ShutterPoint Release Forms
Download ShutterPoint blank release forms below. You will need to
use Adobe Reader to open files.
Submitting Releases
If you have submitted a photo that requires a model or property release, scan the release form(s) and submit the form(s) online
using Manage Model Releases and/or
Manage Property Releases links under My Account. Please note that we no longer accept release
forms over e-mail.
Each form must be attached as one of the following file formats: PDF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, TIFF, BMP - no other formats
are accepted. Each form is to be used for one model or one property. Submit multiple forms when your images contains
several models and/or properties.
Alternatively, you can fax the form(s) to our toll-free fax number (866) 896-0254, and use the cover sheet available
from the "Getting Official ShutterPoint Release Forms" section above. Please allow up to 5 business days for us to post the form you are faxing to your account.
If you submit new photos of the same model/property you have previously submitted a release for, you do not need to
resend the form again. Simply use Manage Model Releases and/or
Manage Property Releases links under My Account and assign additional photos to the same
release forms.
The following form fields are required in a model/property release form. If you choose to use your own form instead of template provided by ShutterPoint, use this as your submission checklist:
- Name of photographer
- Signature of photographer
- Date of photographer’s signature
- Name of model (model release) or description of property (property release)
- Name of parent/guardian (for minor release)
- Model’s current address (model release) or property address (property release)
- Signature of model or parent/guardian
- Date of signature
- Witness name and signature is not mandatory but recommended
Assigning Release Forms
After you submit a release form, you can assign it to photos of the model or property the release form covers. These assignments can be done two ways:
- Use Manage Model Releases and/or
Manage Property Releases links under My Account, and click "Assign" button for each release form you wish to associate with photos;
- Edit your photos one by one (see how), and make selections of models and/or properties in the "Model / Property Releases" section.
Release Processing
After you submit a release form, we review it, and if it is properly filled out, it gets approved. We also review all photo assignments to each release form - once the photos are approved to be assigned to a release form, we change the license to Commercial Use.
We try to process most release forms as soon as possible, however please allow us up to 5 business days for review. You can view the status of approvals by checking Manage Model Releases and/or Manage Property Releases pages under My Account.
Common Reasons Releases Get Rejected
If your release form did not get approved, all photos you may have assigned to it become "unreleased" and may lose their Commercial Use License. The release form will be available under your account as being rejected for a short period of time; however it will get automatically deleted since it cannot be used. Make sure to make corrections or properly fill out another form and resubmit it.
Common reasons a release form is not getting approved:
- Model Releases: Model's name is not provided or not printed clearly, or model's signature is missing;
- Minor Model Release: Model's parent or guardian's name is not provided or not printed clearly, or model's parent or guardian's signature is missing;
- Property Releases: Propery is not described, or property owner's name is not provided, or property owner's signature is missing;
- Photographer's name is not provided or not printed clearly, or photographer's signature is missing;
- Release form was poorly scanned or photographed, and it is unreadable;
- Release form bears logos or trademarks of another stock photography agency or image bank, or its text is not applicable to ShutterPoint.
Common reasons a release form's assignment to a photo is not getting approved:
- You assigned a release to a photo showing a different model;
- You assigned a release to a photo that does not require a release form assignment.
Common reasons a release form's assignment does not set a photo for Commercial Use:
- Release form and/or its assignment is pending approval;
- Photo does not qualify for Commercial Use (see Submission Guidelines);
- Photo contains other models or properties which have not yet been released.
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