A model release is the document that lets you legally publish photos or video of a recognisable person. This builder produces a clean release covering the grant of rights, exclusivity, name and likeness, compensation, and signatures — the clauses stock agencies and brands expect.
How it works
The generator assembles a numbered release from your inputs. The grant-of-rights clause changes with the usage you choose: commercial use authorises advertising and marketing, editorial limits use to journalistic contexts, social covers portfolio and channels, and “all uses” grants the broadest rights in any media. Exclusivity, territory, and compensation each become their own clause.
The legal core is the grant of rights: an irrevocable, royalty-free licence to
use the images for the stated purpose. Without it, publishing a recognisable
person’s likeness for commercial gain can expose you to right-of-publicity or
privacy claims.
Tips and notes
- Match the usage scope to what you actually need. Granting “all uses” is convenient for you but harder to get models to sign; a narrower commercial grant is often easier and still covers most campaigns.
- Always capture compensation, even if it is non-cash, so the release is supported by consideration.
- Use the guardian signature line for anyone under 18, and have a lawyer adapt the wording for your jurisdiction. This is a starting template, not legal advice.
Why each clause matters
Grant of rights
This is the heart of the release. Without an explicit grant, the model retains all rights to control how their image is used, and you can face a right-of-publicity claim for commercial use or a privacy claim for publishing a private person without consent. The grant should be irrevocable — a release that the model can withdraw after publication creates uncertainty that stock agencies and brands will not accept.
Territory
A worldwide licence is the most flexible but may be harder to negotiate for non-cash compensation. A territory-limited release (for example, UK only) may be acceptable for a local campaign but will need renegotiating if the campaign later expands. Think ahead about where the images might be used.
Exclusivity
An exclusive grant prevents the model from licensing the same or similar images from the shoot to a competitor. This is valuable for branded commercial work and is typically compensated at a higher rate. A non-exclusive grant is standard for editorial and portfolio use where the model may want to show the work to other clients.
Compensation and consideration
A release with no consideration (nothing of value exchanged) may not be legally enforceable in some jurisdictions. Even where it is technically valid, documenting that something was exchanged — a fee, prints, agreed credit, or another benefit — creates a clear record. Write down exactly what was agreed, including the amount or the specific non-cash benefit.
Minor models
Anyone under the age of majority in your jurisdiction (18 in most countries, but check locally) cannot legally enter into a binding contract. A parent or legal guardian must sign the release on their behalf. The generated release includes a separate guardian signature block for this reason. Even with a guardian signature, some stock agencies apply additional review to releases for minors, so flag the situation early if submitting to a library.
When you do not need a release
Editorial use of public figures at public events generally does not require a model release in most common-law countries. News reporting, commentary, criticism, and education often fall under fair-use or public-interest exceptions to right-of-publicity law. However, the line between editorial and commercial is not always clear, and individual jurisdictions vary. For anything commercial — however loosely defined — getting a signed release is always the safer path.