A Model Release is a signed agreement from any people who are recognisable within your images, indicating that they have granted you, and your sub-licensees (Picfair), permission to do whatever you wish with the images in which they are recognisable.
You can download a Model Release template here.
Images that contain recognisable people where you don't have a model release can still be licensed for personal and editorial use, and for prints. However, images with recognisable people cannot be licensed for Commercial or Advertising use.
If you have Model Releases for your images, we don't ask that they be uploaded, only that they're made available on request. If you have a Model Release for all the images that you upload that feature recognisable faces, we can update a setting on your account which means they will be assigned the Commercial licence by default. Please contact us here if you would us to update this setting on your account.
Can I get a model release for the image I've purchased?
Our photographer agreement stipulates that if an image necessitates a model release, the photographer has obtained one, however, we don't currently store accompanying model releases on the photographers’ behalf.
We can request model releases on behalf of a buyer from a photographer. Please contact us if you'd like to request a model release.
What about property releases?
When it comes to property releases, this can be a very grey area. Generally, if it is private property and it is recognisable, this can only be used for Editorial purposes. When it comes to nature and cityscapes, these are generally considered fine for all uses.
It very much comes down to how recognisable the place is and whether it's public or private property, but on Picfair, you can assign licences as Editorial for any shots where you are concerned about whether it is private property.
Ultimately, is the photographer's responsibility to check whether a release is required for the content in any of the images they upload. If you are unsure, you can err on the side of caution and only offer them for Editorial use.