Author Topic: How do you store model releases? (Read 1681 times)

jamiehooper · « **on:** July 17, 2015, 12:40 »

I've only been in microstock a short time (3 years), but already have quite a stack of signed model releases. Always looking to simplify my life, here's my question:

Since I have them all digitized as JPGs, do I need to keep the original?
If so, for how long?

Thanks in advance for chiming in.

cobalt · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2015, 12:57 »

It's up to you, but does a scanned copy hold up in court in your country?

I am planning to keep the originals, as long as I am selling the files.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2015, 12:59 »

I keep them all in folders by year in my file cabinet. Wouldn't trust a scan to be really "legal".

langstrup · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2015, 14:31 »

I keep a JPG and PDF in a catalog that is designated to each individual shoot. Then I keep the original paper in a folder with filled out releases!

PixelBytes · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2015, 14:35 »

Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on July 17, 2015, 12:59

I keep them all in folders by year in my file cabinet. Wouldn't trust a scan to be really "legal".

Me too. Never needed one, but if anyone ever takes me to court I have the originals.

PeterChigmaroff · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2015, 14:47 »

I've starting using an app to get the releases so they're all digitized of the bat and easy to deal with.

MichaelJayFoto · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2015, 01:29 »

I have all paper based model releases in a folder as well.

However, I have switched to the EasyRelease app for most of my release (except for releases for minors that need to be signed by their parents). I keep JPG and PDFs from all those on my life hard disk and a back up device as well as have them stored in my Gmail account.

jamiehooper · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2015, 13:05 »

Thanks all.
Keeping the originals was what I was thinking I should do. But, it's just another complication in my life, so I was hoping I was wrong.

Sounds like I wasn't, so they stay in the filing cabinet.