Portfolio Question

[Falkor02]

Ok guys, got a question for you. I have many pictures that I've taken over the years. I'm trying to build a portfolio of 8x10 pictures to keep with me to show people my work. If I'm not selling the photos, but using the photos to sell myself, do I need a release form from all the subjects of my photos that I use in my portfolio?

[onewingedangel73106]

Im sure someone else can explain it better but as far as I know yes :)

[nash]

If used for editorial purposes (e.g., news stories), no, generally you don't need releases. If used for commercial purposes (e.g., promotional material or ads), yes, legally you need releases. There are some gray areas, e.g., fine art. If possible, releases should be obtained even there. Here's the way I explain it. If a newspaper photographer takes your photograph in public in a news situation, it can be used in a newspaper without a release. But if the same photographer takes your photograph in public and uses the image in an ad, then a release is needed. If I were putting images on a Web site or making promo pieces, I would definitely obtain releases. If I am showing some photographs as examples of what I can do, just one on one, it's a gray area. It could be argued that the subjects probably wouldn't see their images being used, but technically you need releases if you are using images for commercial purposes. The more public I am with the images, the more important having releases is.