MODEL RELEASES

In the 1990's I began shooting models other than who was my wife or family. From the get go, I did my research and knew that for me to do this I had to have a valid model release, that covered my rights, the models rights and future use/rights.

Back then there was no Google. I had to acquire the correct and legal documentation and add my own studio and name to it. It was a long process, but rewarding. My Model Releases covered everything even the grey area of ownership after I die. (Huge hint...the executor of my will an estate is my daughter. EVERYTHING falls into her ownership at the time of my death and guess what, every model who has ever worked for me, signed a release that states this.) Like I said, I made sure I covered my ass.

Additionally, My Model Releases state that images can be used anywhere I choose to promote my work. No where on it does it say the model has a say. This would include social media, and ai.

Now, here is the thing. I love every model I have ever worked with. But for me to use work we have shot together to promote my art and see it go forward, use of the image has to happen and it cannot be regulated. I'm sorry, you have no say. I talk a great amount in length to every model I shoot...BEFORE we ever shoot one frame. First thing I tell them is, to make sure and keep your copy of your model release in case you need it, and to file images that I send you of the work we did together. It's not my faukt if you lose your copy of the MR or mayeb didn't look in your email or junk file for your images. (*Note...I now share work via, DROPBOX)

Recently had some creep photographer from out of Wisconsin, who did the gorilla work for a model I once shot. Threatened me for a couples of days. Bragged about having power of attorney which wouldn't have passed in court. Wanted all the models work yanked down and she gets all the raw files. NO, was my reply. said I had a model release. He wanted copies of all of them. NO! if we have slipped to that level them BOTH of you get a lawyer. Ends up being she owes him money. Ends up being this guy got in trouble back in 2014 for filming a model changing in his studio without her knowledge or approval. This is a bad guy as in pervert and the model, she states she has been saved by Jesus, but her actions and her 99% of guy folowers on her IG tells me she is fake as fuck. Her and him have some odd creepy arrangement that I wanted no part of.

So, to put an end to all of it I simply yanked her work down. There was less than 25 images spread across my website and social media. This would include photo sites. All gone.

I then posted on my IG Story a copies of her Model Releases scattered around my diningroom table. All signed, dated, and with witnesses who stated they would be willing to verfiy that she did indeed sign them, after every photo shoot. Some are actual contracts, not just an MR.

Which begs the argument. Why did I delete her work? Because it simply wasn't worth keeping. It's apparent that she"s not a very nice person. No is she religious by any means. It's also apparent she doesn't want connected to my work in any way. She states she doesn't want to model anymore yet post work another photographer shot of her. This speaks volumes to her being generally just a really bad person. Why keep work up of her if this is the person she is and why keep work up of her if she throws some pervert photog gorilla at you? Just wasn't worth my time.

I have Model Releases that date back to the 1990's. I"ve never worked without one and I keep the files of them close. That's all I will say on this.

K