Model Release and Underage Models.


blurry80

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Jul 23, 2007
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Toa Payoh
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hi ,
I don't know if this has been discussed before in the local forum. What i would like to find out is in singapore is there any law restricting the below scenarios.

1.) Candid shots of children used for commercial purposes. (Taken without permission from parents)
2.) Models that did not sign model release but photos has been used for commercial purposes.
3.) Models that are under 21, participating in photoshoot which involves lingerie/bikini/nudity. (not asking about publishing censors)
 

hi ,
I don't know if this has been discussed before in the local forum. What i would like to find out is in singapore is there any law restricting the below scenarios.

1.) Candid shots of children used for commercial purposes. (Taken without permission from parents)
2.) Models that did not sign model release but photos has been used for commercial purposes.
3.) Models that are under 21, participating in photoshoot which involves lingerie/bikini/nudity. (not asking about publishing censors)
the best person to answer your question is a lawyer, second best person to answer your question is still a lawyer, any other person's suggestions, opinion may not valid in the eyes of Sg law, hope you can understand.
 

the best person to answer your question is a lawyer, second best person to answer your question is still a lawyer, any other person's suggestions, opinion may not valid in the eyes of Sg law, hope you can understand.

Best advise you can find.

Cost to consult a lawyer? If just ask, than maybe just $100/- to $300/-, if need them to reply in writting, than at least X2.
 

Though model releases are technically only required in the USA it's a wise photographer who does any commercial work anywhere in the world with a proper model release
For models under the age of majority you should obtain parenteal permission in writing.
Nudity etc under the age of consent in your country can leave you open to paedophilie / sex offender crimes. DO NOT DO IT.

As for the cost of a lawyer, their fees will vary but a few hundred dollars should cover it.
 

Hello, gentlemen.
I was just wondering, since we are at this topic, and if TS doesn't mind me asking, what about the XMM shoots and portrait shoots that we do in Singapore?
If we ever were to use them in the future for commercial reasons, would it not be important to ask them to sign a model release?
 

For stockphoto, model release is a must.
If the model is below 18, parent/guardian must sign on behalf of them.

check this:
http://www.istockphoto.com/tutorial_9.0_modelrelease.php


I see this applies to canada, wonder if it is a must for singapore.
Any body can recommend a lawyer that is experienced at handling singapore photographer accounts?
 

if you have a copy of MR, read it and you will know what is that for.
Ian is right, AFAIK, Sg don't enforce MR, but it is always good to have, since we may not know when one day we decide to use the images outside Sg.
 

Hello, gentlemen.
I was just wondering, since we are at this topic, and if TS doesn't mind me asking, what about the XMM shoots and portrait shoots that we do in Singapore?
what about what?
If we ever were to use them in the future for commercial reasons, would it not be important to ask them to sign a model release?
no offend, as seen the photos been posted here before, I see little commercial value for most of them.

anyway, it is not right to be use for any other purpose, since it is not originally is intend for. if any particularly photo needed to be use, it is right to compensate the model accordingly
 

I see this applies to canada, wonder if it is a must for singapore.
Any body can recommend a lawyer that is experienced at handling singapore photographer accounts?
stock agencies is selling the images worldwide, so will abide to the law which most acceptable by most countries. else, the images has little usage.
 

what about what?
no offend, as seen the photos been posted here before, I see little commercial value for most of them.

anyway, it is not right to be use for any other purpose, since it is not originally is intend for. if any particularly photo needed to be use, it is right to compensate the model accordingly

Hello, catchlights.
Thank you for answering my queries.
Actually you are right. Most of the shoots that we take are of no commercial values. But in my mind I was simply thinking ahead only. If one day it happened (in theory, just for discussion purpose) that one of the shots were to be use for a more commercial purpose, then wouldn't we be in a better position to do so, had we asked for a model release at the time of shooting?
 

stock agencies is selling the images worldwide, so will abide to the law which most acceptable by most countries. else, the images has little usage.

And maybe we can use this as an example, catchlights.
Let's say if we try our luck and put up the photo in any of the stock photo websites.
These website would certainly want model release forms too, right?
So wouldn't it be good to be prepared?
 

Hello, catchlights.
Thank you for answering my queries.
Actually you are right. Most of the shoots that we take are of no commercial values. But in my mind I was simply thinking ahead only. If one day it happened (in theory, just for discussion purpose) that one of the shots were to be use for a more commercial purpose, then wouldn't we be in a better position to do so, had we asked for a model release at the time of shooting?
if you are asking XMM models from the photoshoot sessions (organized group shoot) to sign model release, I don't think anyone will want to sign it for you.
basically such shoots are for leisure only, so they don't have any obligation to sign a model release for you.

if you insist, you might asked to pay more to obtain a model release, but bear in mind that this is a group shoot, you have totally no controls on whatever things, how to produce merchantable images which is stock image worthy?
 

if you are asking XMM models from the photoshoot sessions (organized group shoot) to sign model release, I don't think anyone will want to sign it for you.
basically such shoots are for leisure only, so they don't have any obligation to sign a model release for you.

if you insist, you might asked to pay more to obtain a model release, but bear in mind that this is a group shoot, you have totally no controls on whatever things, how to produce merchantable images which is stock image worthy?

catchlights, this is the answer that I was looking for. Thank you so much!

As I am very new to the scene, I have absolutely no idea how these work.
Having read through some of the older threads in CS, I roughly understood that in Singapore, model release law is not as strict as in overseas. But still, I don't know under what circumstances in Singapore do photographers ask for models to sign a MR form.

You have summarised the whole picture clearly here to give me that understanding.
So I would guess that if I engage a model to do a private shoot and I verbally inform him/her that I may use the photos for commercial work, and provided that I pay him/her more than the usual rate, then this is when a model would agree to sign an MR form.
 

stock agencies is selling the images worldwide, so will abide to the law which most acceptable by most countries. else, the images has little usage.
And maybe we can use this as an example, catchlights.
Let's say if we try our luck and put up the photo in any of the stock photo websites.
These website would certainly want model release forms too, right?
So wouldn't it be good to be prepared?
yes, I agree with you that you should get a model release for all the images which you intend to submit for stock, and you should get MR before the shoot.

but I can share with you that stock agencies not only want High Quality images, they also want images to be Sellable.

So send them only the best images, don't try your luck, don't waste your time.
 

catchlights, this is the answer that I was looking for. Thank you so much!

As I am very new to the scene, I have absolutely no idea how these work.
Having read through some of the older threads in CS, I roughly understood that in Singapore, model release law is not as strict as in overseas. But still, I don't know under what circumstances in Singapore do photographers ask for models to sign a MR form.

You have summarised the whole picture clearly here to give me that understanding.
So I would guess that if I engage a model to do a private shoot and I verbally inform him/her that I may use the photos for commercial work, and provided that I pay him/her more than the usual rate, then this is when a model would agree to sign an MR form.
you are welcome.

to most models, they understand that signing a MR is part of their job scope.

don't want to sign MR, is like the model telling the photographers/clients that "I take your money, I allow you to take photos of me, but you can't use the photos!" what kind of models will say that? how can it be? so funny right?

of course, to some photographers, this will not be an issue, since their objective is not about using the photos......
 

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hi ,
I don't know if this has been discussed before in the local forum. What i would like to find out is in singapore is there any law restricting the below scenarios.

1.) Candid shots of children used for commercial purposes. (Taken without permission from parents)
2.) Models that did not sign model release but photos has been used for commercial purposes.
3.) Models that are under 21, participating in photoshoot which involves lingerie/bikini/nudity. (not asking about publishing censors)

let's just answer the original questions

1) not allowed to use them. Underage without signed model release by parents - is an absolute no go, in the commercial world. The fact - that you didn't even ask the parents - makes no big difference, but is just plain rude. It's not good behavior.
2) Model - who is under age - doesn't need to sign the release. The parent plus a witness must sign. AND - it is always good to have some who is over 18, or 21, at the shoot as guardian.
3) this is a touchy one - and might depend on an individual shot - good taste might be acceptable. BUT: Many professional stock agencies will anyway NOT accept shots of underage models that are of this category. You are playing with 'fire' here my friend. To play it safe - model should be at least 18 when outside of Singapore. Or 21 when in Singapore. Yes, that distinction is also made when accepting pictures for stock and hence commercial use. Just read up on Getty Images a bit - and this reference that applies to Singapore re 21 years for model release. Otherwise - parents should sign. Now - this applies all in the commercial context.

Hope this is clear.