Author Topic: What is going on at ShutterStock? My model release is no good all of a sudden. (Read 4735 times)

FloridaPhotos · « **on:** June 14, 2019, 13:24 »

I have been a photo contributor at ShutterStock for over four years and have never had any problems using the same model release for myself when I use myself for photo projects... until now. Now every image I upload with myself in it where I use the same model release I've always used, gets rejected for Invalid Model Release. I even redid my model release and put "SELF PORTRAIT" in big red letters at the top as I had to do for Getty, but same thing... rejections. what? This is maddening! Anyone else running into this insanity at ShutterStock? Any clues as to what is going on with this issue?

Not Today · « **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2019, 13:35 »

Have you used a different person as witness or yourself? Could be one of the reasons...

https://www.shutterstock.com/contributorsupport/articles/en_US/kbat02/Why-was-my-content-rejected-for-Missing-or-Invalid-Model-Release?l=en_US#Model%20Release%20Requirements

FloridaPhotos · « **Reply #2 on:** June 14, 2019, 13:37 »

With ShutterStock I have been able to use the same Model Release for all images that I am in. So, nothing has changed on it, it has been the same release used over and over and I've never had an issue with that. Like I said, until now. Rejections for Invalid Model Release.

Not Today · « **Reply #3 on:** June 14, 2019, 13:42 »

According to their requirements, you need a different release for each shoot day.

"Separate model releases are required for each photo shoot, even if the model has already signed a release from a previous shoot"

Maybe you've been lucky so far and they've gone through, and now you're facing a different reviewer.

I don't have any issues with mines so far.

ShadySue · « **Reply #4 on:** June 14, 2019, 13:47 »

Quote from: Not Today on June 14, 2019, 13:35

Have you used a different person as witness or yourself? Could be one of the reasons...

Yeah, because loads of people sue themselves for false signatures on releases of self-portraits.

Not Today · « **Reply #5 on:** June 14, 2019, 13:50 »

Quote from: ShadySue on June 14, 2019, 13:47

Quote from: Not Today on June 14, 2019, 13:35
Have you used a different person as witness or yourself? Could be one of the reasons...
Yeah, because loads of people sue themselves for false signatures on releases of self-portraits.

It can happen with twins and triplets

Anyway, just stating the rules, not saying they make sense.

ShadySue · « **Reply #6 on:** June 14, 2019, 14:11 »

Quote from: Not Today on June 14, 2019, 13:50

Quote from: ShadySue on June 14, 2019, 13:47
Quote from: Not Today on June 14, 2019, 13:35
Have you used a different person as witness or yourself? Could be one of the reasons...
Yeah, because loads of people sue themselves for false signatures on releases of self-portraits.

It can happen with twins and triplets

To be honest, that's a valid - and awkward - point which I hadn't thought of.

Quote

Anyway, just stating the rules, not saying they make sense.

It was the rules I was commenting about: I know sometimes they are a bit nonsensical.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #7 on:** June 14, 2019, 18:52 »

Quote from: Not Today on June 14, 2019, 13:42

According to their requirements, you need a different release for each shoot day.

"Separate model releases are required for each photo shoot, even if the model has already signed a release from a previous shoot"

Maybe you've been lucky so far and they've gone through, and now you're facing a different reviewer.

I don't have any issues with mines so far.

iStock went through this insanity several years ago and ended up with a rule that allowed using one release for all shoots of yourself rather than a new release for each shoot. You had to mark it (as the OP noted) and even then sometimes reviewers would miss the marking (even at the top and even in red).

If Shutterstock had any functioning gray matter they would implement the same rule. When the photographer is the model, there's no chance of lawsuits and no need for new releases for each shoot.

I think you have two choices: (1) just go with their insane requirement and make a new version of the release with a date for each shoot or (2) try and get in touch with support to get them to fix their rules so they're rational and "industry standard" (if you count iStock/Getty as the standard-setter).

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2019, 13:26 »

Quote from: ShadySue on June 14, 2019, 13:47

Quote from: Not Today on June 14, 2019, 13:35
Have you used a different person as witness or yourself? Could be one of the reasons...
Yeah, because loads of people sue themselves for false signatures on releases of self-portraits.

Scary thought isn't that?

I do have someone else witness my selfies, which has always been a good laugh, but I did that years ago.

I think the OP needs to write to SS and get their answer. Could be brain loose reviewer, could be a change, like dates, could be wording, or witness, or maybe as simple as one release for every shoot. But we're just guessing, until SS is contacted and gives a specific answer.

Clair Voyant · « **Reply #9 on:** June 15, 2019, 16:22 »

[/quote]

I think the OP needs to write to SS and get their answer. But we're just guessing, until SS is contacted and gives a specific answer.
[/quote]

That would be way too adult, pragmatic, and logical.

pancaketom · « **Reply #10 on:** June 15, 2019, 23:48 »

I think I had 2 self portraits in my last submission - one was an old one - before 50, one was more recent - over 50. Both had the same model release, except one was submitted as under 50 and one was submitted more recently for over 50. They accepted the more recent and rejected the older one. It is completely ridiculous to not accept one self portrait model release, if you sue yourself for submitting a photo you took of yourself, you are not going to get very far.

I think they have rejected nearly every one of my other older previously accepted model releases for about a year. If anything new sold I'd maybe try to get a new model release for them, but as it is - they are accepted at other sites.

YadaYadaYada · « **Reply #11 on:** June 16, 2019, 00:34 »

Quote from: Clair Voyant on June 15, 2019, 16:22

Quote

I think the OP needs to write to SS and get their answer. But we're just guessing, until SS is contacted and gives a specific answer.

That would be way too adult, pragmatic, and logical.

party pooper

Clair Voyant · « **Reply #12 on:** June 16, 2019, 17:47 »

Quote from: YadaYadaYada on June 16, 2019, 00:34

Quote from: Clair Voyant on June 15, 2019, 16:22

Quote

I think the OP needs to write to SS and get their answer. But we're just guessing, until SS is contacted and gives a specific answer.

That would be way too adult, pragmatic, and logical.

party pooper

if you mollycoddle and give everyone a prize just for participating, how will they learn to tie their own shoe laces?

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Author Topic: What is going on at ShutterStock? My model release is no good all of a sudden. (Read 4735 times)

FloridaPhotos

Not Today

FloridaPhotos

Not Today

ShadySue

Not Today

ShadySue

Jo Ann Snover

Uncle Pete

Clair Voyant

pancaketom

YadaYadaYada

Clair Voyant

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