Free Model Release Form Template
A model release is the document that lets you actually use the photos you took. Without a signed release, publishing a recognizable person’s likeness commercially exposes you to right-of-publicity and privacy claims — and every stock agency, brand, and publisher will ask for one before they touch your images.
This template covers the essentials in plain English: who grants what to whom, the scope of use, a waiver of inspection and royalties, and — because it’s 2026 — an explicit default position on AI training. Download it, print it, and have it signed on set.
Download the PDF — free, no emailWhat the release says
I, the undersigned model named below ("Model"), confirm that I am of legal age and have the right to grant this release. In exchange for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which I acknowledge, I grant the photographer named below ("Photographer") and any third parties acting with the Photographer's authorization the rights described in this release.
I grant the Photographer the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free right to use, reproduce, distribute, display, edit, adapt, and publish photographs, video, and other recordings of me ("Materials") created on the shoot date stated below, for the purposes described under "Scope of Use" below.
I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished Materials, and I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising from the use of the Materials within the granted Scope of Use. The Photographer retains all copyright in the Materials.
AI training rights: Unless the Scope of Use below explicitly grants AI / machine-learning training rights, I do NOT grant the Photographer or any third party the right to use the Materials to train, fine-tune, or otherwise feed any artificial-intelligence model, dataset, or system, and any such use is expressly prohibited.
I release the Photographer and their assigns from any claims arising from use of the Materials within the granted Scope of Use, including without limitation claims for libel, defamation, invasion of privacy, and right of publicity, except for use that is materially false or that defames me.
This release is binding on me, my heirs, and my legal representatives. I have read this release before signing and I understand it.
Common questions
- When do I need a model release?
- Whenever a photo of a recognizable person will be used commercially — advertising, stock licensing, brand content, or product packaging. Editorial use (news, commentary) generally doesn’t require one, but agencies and clients usually demand a release anyway because the line is blurry.
- Does this release cover AI training?
- By default this template explicitly does NOT grant AI training rights — the model’s likeness cannot be used to train machine-learning models unless the scope of use says so in writing. If you need to grant those rights, use the AI training variant of this template instead.
- Is a printed and scanned release legally valid?
- Yes. A wet-ink signature on paper is valid everywhere. The practical problems are logistics: printing on set, legible handwriting, scanning, and finding the document two years later when an agency asks for it. That’s the part digital signing fixes.
- Can I edit this template?
- Yes — it’s a starting point, not legal advice. Adapt the scope of use to your shoot, and have a lawyer review it if the stakes are high (national campaigns, sensitive subject matter, minors).
Skip the paperwork
Printing, signing, scanning, filing — or a link your model opens on their phone. Signed releases land in both inboxes automatically, timestamped and locked.
Get it signed digitally — freeRelated templates
- AI Training Model Release Form Template
- Minor (Child) Model Release Form Template
- Group Model Release Form Template
These templates are general-purpose starting points, not legal advice. Adapt them to your shoot and jurisdiction.