model releases for party pics?

[suzyjazz]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I am not sure. I am putting together a "proposal" of sorts for a holiday event I hope to shoot. I would be tasked with taking posed photos of families. These people would later view their proofs on my web site, and I hope, order a print. In this proposal, I was lining out a few things such as how long I would stay, how quick I'll get the photos out, etc.

I suddenly remembered the issue of model releases. I was going to mention that I need everyone to sign a model release, but with so many people coming through, I don't want this to look like a burden. I don't know if they've ever dealt with that before. There will be kids there, and technically there should be an additional release for them, etc. Who wants to mess with all that at a party? They've had a photographer at their holiday party before, but I don't know how it worked. Maybe I should just post a disclaimer at the top of each page of the sign-in sheet that says by signing on the sheet you agree to the use of your photo and those of whom you are a legal guardian on my web site for promotional purposes.

Another question... How do I assign numbers to peple so they can log on to my site, enter their number, and only get their pics? Say I have a sign-in sheet or something with numbers.... I write their number down on my business card and hand it to them and then as I process the pics, I go in order, labeling each with the next number when the faces change? What if people get out of order? Maybe there is an obvious solution I am missing. I'm happy just to have a gallery for everyone to look through, but some people might like their pic to be more private, and obviously to save time the number would be good.

[Breezy]

Very interesting ??s can't wait to hear the answers

[suzyjazz]

I hope there are some! I don't recall seeing these exact topics in relation to party pics. I want to mail my letter and samples on Saturday at the latest. She needs it by Thursday.

[CaptainTom]

I do lots of "parties". I've never attempted a model release. I've thought that as long as the images are not being used for "commercial" purposes you wer OK.

As for giving folks only access to their photos, I can't help in that respect. The service that I use will let me set a password for the event, and that is how I have seen many others operate.

I recommend printing up a bunch of cheap cards with the URL of the web site where the photos are available, via the PASSWORD, and saying that the photos will be viewable after a certain date. each of the photos can be numbered, and folks can order what they want from the numbers.

My experience is that people don't order much. If you want to sell,, have the photos printed at the event.

[suzyjazz]

Yes, you're right.... If you have a password on it so only those customers can see it, then it should be fine because the images are not being "promoted" to the general public. I'm able to set up a password on my web site so I can let all the party people see all the party pics but not make them available to anyone else. They'll just have to look through the whole set to find theirs. I'll have my business cards ready with the code on the back.

I don't know how many photos have sold in the past from this event. I know they had a professional last year, so the fact that they are looking for a photographer might be a clue-in to the fact that sales have been low in the past (not worth someone's time). I'm mostly doing it for the exposure (it's a dog event).

Since it's indoors I might be able to sell at the event (you know, I would have electricity!) but I could only take cash. Thanks for the suggestion. It hadn't even occurred to me.