Releases
Disclaimer
The information supplied by Alamy below and elsewhere on the site in regards to model and property releases is intended solely for information only. You should not rely upon it to answer any specific questions you may have in regards to model or property releases. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct model or property releases for your licence use and that you comply with the relevant local laws. You are advised to seek legal advice before relying on any information contained in this website.
What is a release?
A model release or property release is a written agreement between the model or property owner and the photographer where the model or property owner has granted the photographer permission to use the photographs commercially. Releases generally permit the use of the image(s) for all purposes, with exceptions for controversial, sensitive or defamatory uses. However it is your responsibility to decide if a model and/or a property release is necessary for their intended image use.
Release information on Alamy
When viewing the details of an image there is a section called releases. This shows if the contributor who has supplied the image has stated that release forms are available or not. If yes is displayed, and you wish to obtain a copy of the release, please contact our sales team who will get in touch with the relevant contributor to try to obtain the release. Please allow Alamy up to seven working days to perform this request. It is your responsibility as a buyer to decide if the image requires a release.
Important note
Alamy gives no legal assertion that an image marked as having a model and/or a property release has these releases. Releases are held by Alamy’s contributors and Alamy does not verify in any way the information they attach to their images. Please note that not all of Alamy’s Royalty-Free images are model or property released.
Model release
When is a signed model release needed?
Images which depict people may require a signed model release. It is up to you to decide whether the licence usage will require a release. You should be aware that when a model release is available additional considerations may mean that the model release in itself is not sufficient. For example, if the image is to be used for sensitive issues.
What situations would make a signed model release void?
Some image uses would void a signed release. The following is for guidance only and is not a full list:
- Defamation of Character - embellishment, distortion or fictionalisation of a person's character.
- Sensationalised use - a use intended to distort the ‘truth’ of an image.
What if the model is deceased?
If the model is dead a signed model release is still required from the heirs. Records about heirs are normally publicly available at government offices.
Sensitive Issues
A model may have signed a model release but may not consent to their image being used for a sensitive issue subject. Where this preference has been stated, restrictions will appear on the Alamy website next to the image. For example if an image has a tobacco restriction then the image cannot be used for a tobacco advertisement. If an image has no restriction it does not imply that the image is cleared for a sensitive issue.
A list of sensitive issue subjects is supplied below. This list is not exhaustive and is for illustrative purposes only, it should not be considered full and definitive.
- Abortion and/or pro-life or pro-choice
- Alcohol
- Gambling
- Guns and weapons
- Medical and mental health issues
- Negative financial portrayal
- Political fanaticism
- Religious fanaticism
- Sexual and sexual health issues
- Tobacco
Property release
When is a signed property release needed?
Images which depict property/landmarks/logos/art/etc... may require signed property releases. It is up to you to decide whether the licence usage will require a release. You should be aware that when a property release is available additional considerations may mean that the property release in itself is not sufficient. For example, if the subject portrayed is to be used in a sensitive issue subject.
What situations would make a signed property release void?
Some image uses would void a signed release. The following is for guidance only and is not a full list:
- Sensationalised use - a use intended to distort the ‘truth’of an image