Volunteer Work

[RickD]

I was at an equestrian event this weekend and was there to get some practice shooting some action action shots with my new lens (my wife and her friends were in the event). While I was there several parents asked me to take pictures of their kids in the event. Most I would say are minors. I told them that I was not hired by the event coordinators to take pictures, but with their permission, I would take pictures of their kids.

I wasn't thinking about it, but I'm posting the pictures so they can purchase the prints online. I did not intend to charge them anything for the prints since I was basically volunteering my time, practice, and throw my work out there.

Since I want to add this to my portfolio, should I have asked for a model release form, even though it was a verbal agreement?

Since there was not professional photographer present, do I need to ask permission from the event coordinator. I was never asked if I was a professional.

Thanks.

[CaptainTom]

In order to do anything commercially with these pictures you should have a juvenile model release (from the parent). Commercial means selling, or displaying in an effort to promote your business (even if you don't make money).
It is not a legal requirement, but only to protect your butt if one of the parents or one of the kids sues you. A verbal agreement is OK, but it needs to be in writing in order to cover your butt. Ten years from now, when one of those kids wins a gold medal in the olympics and you post their first jump, you'll get sued because you don't have a model release.

You might make contact with the parents, offer them a print or two in exchange for them signing and sending you a model release.

[ronocnikral]

yeah, i'd offer a free 8x10 for them to sign the model release. then depending on how much you want to volunteer, maybe mark up the prices just a bit to make sure you don't end up loosing money a ton of money (assuming you are dealing with a lot of people).

and tom's correct...what if they are in the olympics or some movie star? you'll want your rights for your picture. although, after the kid posts your picture of them on facebook, you'll end up with very little by the time the lawyers sort everything out years from now. facebook, it will be the bane of photographers (and the next generation of politicians).

[RickD]

Thanks for the feedback. I was going to just give them the digitals, it would make sense to give them a printed copy then allow relatives to pay for the prints.

I've done a lot of volunteer work for my church on events to build on my skill. How do you mainly handle events? Luckily for my case it's a small event, but in one that is large, say a corporate event, Do you require a modeling from everyone?

How do all your pros out there handle events for friends. I'm guessing when you do events for friends (volunteer), I guess the rule of thumb is not let business get in the way of friendships, and just chalk up the event as experience and give up your image rights.

[ronocnikral]

no. don't give up your image rights. if they are truly your friend, they will understand this. and respect your work.

perhaps the key word is pro. while there was a thread recently about what defines a professional, based mainlu on their dependence of photography income, i would add another defining factor. a pro doesn't give their work away. even if you sell it at cost, you aren't giving it away. it's always best, even when working with family and friends to charge them a little. it creates a professional relationship for the event and keeps them from blowing you off and mistreating you. imo.

[RickD]

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

no. don't give up your image rights. if they are truly your friend, they will understand this. and respect your work.

perhaps the key word is pro. while there was a thread recently about what defines a professional, based mainlu on their dependence of photography income, i would add another defining factor. a pro doesn't give their work away. even if you sell it at cost, you aren't giving it away. it's always best, even when working with family and friends to charge them a little. it creates a professional relationship for the event and keeps them from blowing you off and mistreating you. imo.

I think your are right about that. It's best to keep the professional relationship with family and friends. I should make it clear that either ON or OFF the clock. I'll have to better define OFF the clock.

I wasn't planning on giving away the full quality digitals, it was going to be at least 75% quality or something where they can only print 4x6's. I think if I give away a couple of processed pictures, they will probably enjoy them most and wil probably be more understanding in allowing me to use it in my portfolio.

[CaptainTom]

I was recently approached by a relative (M.D.) about taking family pictures.
We talked about clothes, time of day , etc. and when I brought up the sitting fees, etc, he almost seemed dissapointed that I wasn't going to do it for free.
Since he is my personal Physician, I said that maybe we could apply it to the office visit charges that I get when I go to see him. He said he never mixes business with family. I said " Me neither". It's interesting how people don't see how things relate unless you "hit them with a stick".

[w9ctm]

Excellent point about mixing family and business Tom.

I have another question about releases, if you don't mind.
Last year I shot an event just to shoot it, had posted some shots online and some of the participants saw the photos online and loved them. I have been hired to shoot the event this year. Since there are over 200 participants, it would be rather difficult to try to get a release from everyone. The organizer was advising these folks that during their participation they may be photographed by me, and their permission for me to photograph and use their image is implied if they choose to participate in this event. Is this legal at all? Do I have a leg to stand on?

Thanks in advance,

[RickD]

Originally Posted by w9ctm

Excellent point about mixing family and business Tom.

I have another question about releases, if you don't mind.
Last year I shot an event just to shoot it, had posted some shots online and some of the participants saw the photos online and loved them. I have been hired to shoot the event this year. Since there are over 200 participants, it would be rather difficult to try to get a release from everyone. The organizer was advising these folks that during their participation they may be photographed by me, and their permission for me to photograph and use their image is implied if they choose to participate in this event. Is this legal at all? Do I have a leg to stand on?

Thanks in advance,

I'm glad you asked that question, because, that was my next question.

RickD added 224 Minutes and 25 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Here are a few of articles I found while researching concerning model release used in events.

http://www.asmp.org/articles/business-and-legal-faq.html


http://www.danheller.com/model-release.htmlhttp://www.danheller.com/model-release.html

http://blog.fotolia.com/us/legal/model_release-why.html

I'm sure this was covered before, but I hope this helps.