Ian McKenzie

There are several different business arrangements which exist between photographers and their models. Sometimes as in the case of editorial photographs used for newspapers and magazines, there is no contract at all.

People are photographed and filmed daily throughout the world very often without the subjects (models), being aware that the cameras have caught them. CCTV, television stations, newspapers and magazines all often operate in this way.

In other organised photography sessions, there is normally an arrangement made between photographer(s) and model(s).

When photographs are required by the subjects such as in wedding photography, normally there is an agreement in which the photographer(s) receives payment for the photography session(s). The rights to the photographs may or may not be kept by the photographer depending upon the contract agreement.

If the photographer has a commercial contract to photograph certain scenarios, there may be an arrangement in which payment is made to the model(s) by the photographer. Generally the rights to these photographers will remain with the photographer, or the photographer’s client.

Another arrangement is when the model(s) have a need or want for certain photographs and the photographer(s) also have a need or want for these same photographs. Often in these circumstances, no money is exchanged either way. The photographer generally retains the rights to the photographs, but provides the model(s) with file and/or hard copies of the photographs to be used as agreed between photographer and model.

This last mentioned arrangement is my preferred arrangement when preparing photographs for photo library sites. Models will be required to sign a model release giving the photographer rights to the photographs. If recognisable property is also involved, then a property release may also be required to be signed. Models will be provided with file copies of all photos taken of them. These photos will generally be at 300dpi, and resized ready for uploading onto web sites or for printing. Usually they will have an unobtrusive water mark at the bottom of side of the photograph. The normal method of making these photo file copies available is to publish them to a web site from which the model can easily copy and paste the photos to their own computer. This is generally done within a fortnight of the photos being taken, (usually much sooner), and the model will be given the URL of where the photos are posted.

Of the hundreds of photos taken of a model, only a small percentage may be chosen for uploading to photo library sites, or will be accepted by the sites. Often these photos will have been digitally manipulated by the photographer. This digital enhancement may include removing skin blemishes, making the eyes clearer or even isolating the subject from the background. This digital enhancement may be performed quite some time after the original photos were taken. Models wishing to purchase these enhanced photographs may do so from the microstock photo library sites. Stock purchased from the photo library sites will be provided water mark free and for a minimal cost of only a few dollars. If you were paying a photographer or a studio to do similar work on your photos you would be paying hundreds of dollars for their time.

Personally, I work with several library sites. Models wishing to know where photos that I have taken and/or worked with have been published can contact me for details.

Copies of the Model Releases and Property Releases that I generally use may be viewed and/or downloaded by clicking on the appropriate links.

 Additional information

Click on my photo in the top left hand corner of any page in this site to join in the site’s discussion forum. You are welcome to instigate a discussion on any subject associated with the content on this site.