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Get written permission to photograph a person and use their image in marketing, social media, or print.
A photo release (also called a model release) is a signed agreement from a person (or property owner) giving the photographer or business permission to use their photograph for specified purposes. In Australia, there is no general 'right of publicity' — but under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), Australian Consumer Law, and defamation law, using someone's image without consent for commercial purposes can expose you to legal risk.
Common situations where this document is the right tool for the job.
You are photographing clients, customers, or event attendees for marketing use.
A business is running a testimonial or case-study campaign featuring customers.
You are a photographer building a portfolio with model shoots.
A brand is using real-customer photos on social media, website, or packaging.
You are filming an event where attendees may be identifiable in footage.
You want written consent to use employee photos on your website or LinkedIn.
The essential provisions every photo release should include.
Subject (the person being photographed or appearing in the content) and company (the business or photographer using the image).
Description of the photograph, video, or other content — when it was taken, by whom, and where.
The subject grants the company the right to use the content in specified media (website, social media, print, advertising, packaging). Global or territorial scope.
How long the company can use the content — perpetual, 5 years, or for a specific campaign.
What the content can be used for (marketing, editorial, portfolio, case studies). Any specifically excluded uses (political advertising, adult content, etc.).
What the subject is being paid, if anything. Some releases are for free (e.g. event photography); others include a modelling fee or in-kind compensation.
The subject waives the right to approve or inspect the final use of the content.
The subject confirms they are not entitled to any royalties or additional compensation for the company's use of the content.
The subject confirms they have the right to grant the release (e.g. they are over 18 or have guardian consent) and will not bring a claim against the company for lawful use within scope.
If the subject is under 18, a parent or guardian must sign on their behalf.
Using someone's image commercially without consent can support a claim under the Privacy Act (if the image is personal information and use is unfair) or defamation law (if the use implies an untrue statement). A written release is the cleanest defence.
Shutterstock, Getty, Adobe Stock and similar platforms require a signed model release before accepting photos with identifiable people. Without one, you cannot monetise your work on those platforms.
Sending a release before a shoot sets expectations and prevents awkward 'can I use that photo' conversations later. Most clients are comfortable signing; the ones who refuse are signalling something important.
Using real customer testimonials with photos is far more compelling than anonymous quotes — but requires consent. A written release covers the photo use and the testimonial wording in one signed document.
Yes. A photo release is an ordinary commercial contract under Australian law. Electronic signatures on it are recognised as valid under the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth)and the state-based equivalents (e.g. Electronic Transactions Act 2000 (NSW), Electronic Transactions (Victoria) Act 2000, Electronic Transactions (Queensland) Act 2001).
Under section 10 of the Commonwealth Act, an electronic signature is valid if it identifies the signer, indicates their intent to be bound, and uses a method as reliable as appropriate in the circumstances. SignBolt captures timestamp, IP address, and signer identity — which meets this "reliable method" test for ordinary commercial signing.
Certain document types are excluded from electronic-signing provisions in some states (wills, statutory declarations in some contexts, land titles documents). A photo release is not in those excluded categories — electronic signature is valid.
This page is general information, not legal advice. For high-value or unusual arrangements, obtain a one-off review from a qualified Australian legal practitioner.
Questions we get about the Photo Release template.
For public events where attendees are clearly on notice that photography is happening (signage, announcements), implied consent may be enough for editorial or general marketing use. For close-ups, identifiable portraits, or use in advertising for specific products, written consent is strongly recommended. The safer path is to display clear signage at entry ('photography will take place and may be used for promotional purposes') and to obtain explicit releases from any subjects of focused photography.
Generally yes — the terms are used interchangeably. 'Model release' is more common in stock photography and professional shoots; 'photo release' is more common in corporate and event contexts. The legal content is the same: a signed grant of permission to use the image.
Not automatically. In Australia, there is no general right to photograph and commercialise identifiable people in public. While there is limited 'right to privacy' at common law, commercial use of identifiable images can give rise to claims under the Privacy Act (if personal information), ACL misleading-or-deceptive conduct (if the image implies endorsement), or defamation (if the use damages reputation). For commercial use, get a release — or use images where the person is not identifiable.
No — releases are legally valid without payment, provided the subject's consent is genuine and informed. Many event releases and client-testimonial releases are unpaid. For professional model shoots or stock photography, modelling fees are common. Whatever the arrangement, the release should document it clearly so both sides know the terms.
Yes. Releases are ordinary commercial agreements covered by the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth). Electronic signatures are valid. A SignBolt audit trail (timestamp, IP, signer identity) is particularly useful because it fixes the date of consent — important if the subject later changes their mind.
Most releases are expressed as 'perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable' — meaning once granted, the subject cannot take permission back. This is especially important for content already published (magazines, books, packaging). Limited-revocation clauses are possible (e.g. revocable on 12 months' notice for future use) but less common. Draft carefully for your use case.
A parent or guardian must sign on behalf of a child (under 18). Many schools and children's organisations have their own photo consent forms for exactly this purpose. When using images of children in marketing, be doubly cautious: the reputational fallout of a dispute involving a child's image far exceeds the commercial value of the photo.
Free plan covers 3 documents per month — more than enough to get this signed today. No credit card required.