Property Release Tips and Tricks

You’ve heard us say over and over that buyers are looking for property-released images and that a re- lease raises your image’s value, but securing a property release isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it requires a lot of work. Even after a client has agreed, there are still other things to think about. There are some things that we can do to make this process a lot easier, so this month we’re sharing some tips and guidelines.

Ô Consider making your property release less threatening – using the same language from your re- lease, design it in another font, add your logo, and title it a “permission form.”
Ô When shooting an assignment, consider waiting to get a release until after you get paid for the shoot. This is to avoid possible (negotiation) reduction in your billing for the release.
Ô Offer a trade: give the company photos/image files for their marketing needs in exchange for a property release.
Ô Sometimes the best person to contact is a company’s marketing director. He will likely see the value in a trade with you.
Ô Carry a printed or digital portfolio to share with clients and sell yourself.
Ô Always have a business card.
Ô If you’re building your portfolio, try couching your request in terms of their helping you. Mostpeople like to help.
Ô Digitize your signed releases and keep back-up copies; make sure someone else knows where they are in your absence.
Ô Put a photograph of the property on the release.
Ô Obtain a release for every day of the shoot if you are photographing the same property.
Ô Get a signed release before your shoot a single frame. Once you deliver the photos, negotiation becomes significantly harder.Don’t know if you need a release? Below are some examples to help guide you. As a general rule, if the properties you shot are identifiable and not released, they have a slim chance of being selected for the Spaces collection.

Type: Places open to public, like galleries, museums, theme parks, etc.
Note: Depends on the photographic policy of the property concerned. Some places that are

open to the public have photographic policies in place which bind you to a contract if

you take photos. Release: Yes

Type: Public property, like government buildings, public schools, parks Note: Occasionally these will need releases.
Release: No.

Type: Private property – identifiable: homes, office buildings, private schools and colleges,cars, boats, private and corporate jets and planes.

Note: If it belongs to somebody and could be easily identifiable, chances are you need a release. Without a release, sale of the image could lead to a lawsuit.

Release: Yes

Type: Private property – unidentifiable
Note: This is property owned, but without identifiable features in the photos. Release: No

Type: Private property – from publicly accessible location, like a street, or sidewalk.
Note: Building(s) in an image whose central focus is not these buildings. For example land-

scapes and skylines. Release: No

Type: Famous locations, landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower, Mt. Rushmore.
Note: Release required unless properties classified as being in the public domain. Rules

vary from building to building and country to country so it is incumbent on you to

check your legal position with regards to such images. Release: Yes

Type: Product designs, like Playstation
Note: Recognizable designs may be subject to a patent or trademark Release: Yes

Type: Corporate logos and insignias
Note: They may be trademarked, so must be removed. If it’s impossible to remove in camera, remove in Photoshop. Release: Yes

Type: Publicly displayed art
Note: Excludes art classified as being in the public domain. Much like your photos, public art may be copyrighted. Release: Yes

Disclaimer: The above information supplied by Spaces Images is intended solely for information; we are not lawyers, nor should our advice be taken for legal advice. Please seek legal counsel for professional advice in regards to obtaining, using, and keeping property releases.