About Selling Photos...

@Spontaneo (14703)
United States
February 6, 2018 5:21pm CST
I know there are sites where you may upload photos to sell. I am confused about a few things and wondered if you would be able to explain... If a person is in the photo, you need permission. If there is property in the photo, you need permission. How does one go about doing this? Are there any sites where you may simply upload the photo without having to worry about all of these legalities? Thank you in advance, my friends!
5 people like this
6 responses
@LaDeBoheme (2004)
• United States
7 Feb 18
Some stock photo sites have a model release form to use. If not, just do a search. There are plenty of templates to download you can use. Property releases are only required if it's branded or easily identified. No names, addresses, signs. Conversely, public or iconic buildings, structures, or property (ex. Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, Golden Gate Bridge) are considered public domain and no release is required. The same applies to famous persons such as celebrities, political figures, athletes, etc. If you want to sell photos, there is no alternative or workaround other than keep your pictures generic. Upload your photos. They go through a review process before accepted for sale anyway. If there is a problem or release required, they will let you know.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Feb 18
Shoot The Hoop
@Spontaneo I have portfolios at a few stock sites and most of them have their own model release form that you can use. When submitting photo(s) of persons, you will also be required to upload the release at the same time. To give you a better idea, here is more info from 123RF which is pretty standard across most stock photo sites. https://blog.123rf.com/5-2-model-releases/ I don't do many people pictures. I do mostly objects and textures for backgrounds, design. Here is a thumbnail of one of my best-selling photos. No release required.
1 person likes this
@Spontaneo (14703)
• United States
7 Feb 18
@LaDeBoheme With all of that uploading and scanning, I would have to go to the library and the cost would be pretty high, huh? Is it really worth it?
@Spontaneo (14703)
• United States
7 Feb 18
Sorry for all of my lack of common sense... I think I understand what you are explaining...
@Icydoll (36717)
• India
7 Feb 18
You can sell free images from pixabay.com where we don't face copyright issues.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Feb 18
@Spontaneo The operative word here is 'free'. You don't SELL 'free' images. You give them away. Photographers or contributors may accept donations, but they don't make money for sales. Be forewarned. Pixabay still requires model and/or property releases. Might want to check the FAQs and rules.
Public domain images are considered to be free of copyrights. Consequently, such images may be used freely for any application. But that is not true. Find out why in this article.
@Spontaneo (14703)
• United States
7 Feb 18
Now that is what I like! Do you still get paid for pixabay? I could sure use the spare cash.
@KristenH (33351)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
7 Feb 18
Maybe Pinterest or Pixaby and other free photo websites.
1 person likes this
@Spontaneo (14703)
• United States
7 Feb 18
I don't understand?
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33351)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
7 Feb 18
@SpontaneoThere are some free photo websites you can use without permission.
@Plethos (13560)
• United States
7 Feb 18
sites should have that info. model releases are required when you use models. not needed for regular people out in public like a public park. photos in public places need no permission.
1 person likes this
@Spontaneo (14703)
• United States
7 Feb 18
Thank you!
1 person likes this
@AkoPinay (11544)
• Philippines
7 Feb 18
I only upload food photos most of the time. Beach photos without focusing people's faces and birds to play safe.
• United States
8 Mar 18
With the person, you just ask the person if you can post it. Most photographers talk to the client or model before taking the photos and have them either sign or agree to let the photos be used for marketing reasons or to just be posted. That is pretty standard for professional photographers. From my understanding of properties if it is a private property then you would need permission from that person but most public places are fair game and that includes buildings, parks, lakes, and just normal landscapes.
1 person likes this
@Spontaneo (14703)
• United States
8 Mar 18
So confusing...
1 person likes this