Lexi Evans wrote:
Alot of the photographs I take are of my girlfriend. I would not ask her for a release, because thats almost like saying "when we stop dating i want to make sure i can still use your images". no one wants to think about breaking up. To me, it would be insensitive and asking for trouble. It's like a marriage prenup. Now, as a business practice this isn't a good idea, i realize...But how would you handle the situation??

Get her to sign a release.  It is indeed saying "when we stop dating i want to make sure i can still use your images," which is a totally logical, common-sense approach.   Are you really that sure you're going to be together forever and ever?

If she refuses to sign off, you'll know everything you need to know about her in one fell swoop.

Lexi Evans wrote:
Alot of the photographs I take are of my girlfriend. I would not ask her for a release, because thats almost like saying "when we stop dating i want to make sure i can still use your images". no one wants to think about breaking up. To me, it would be insensitive and asking for trouble. It's like a marriage prenup. Now, as a business practice this isn't a good idea, i realize...But how would you handle the situation??

If you have any thought of commercial usage later, you need to either get the release now, or start shooting another girl. Under the best of circumstances, getting a released sign after the fact can be tricky. Load it up with the emotional baggage of a breakup, and the chances of her saying no go up dramatically.

It seems funny, but the truth is, people who love each other do paperwork preparing for death and so forth all the time. It seems funny to talk about it, but talking about the disposition of pictures is no different than talking about a health power of attorney, will, or any of that stuff. I guess the DIFFERENCE is that in your case, you may want to use the pictures while your lover is still alive.

Good luck with that!
Paul

stan wigmore photograph wrote:
One way to handle it is to tell her that no one will use a photo of her lovely face and figure without seeing the release form first and you are trying to get some into print for her.Not just a white lie either,no media will publish or use an image without a copy of the release first.

So in all the pictures of Brittney\Angelina\Paris\Lindsey, doing completely unflattering things, you see in mags, they signed a release?
Nope

Iris Swope wrote:

So in all the pictures of Brittney\Angelina\Paris\Lindsey, doing completely unflattering things, you see in mags, they signed a release?
Nope

They didn't have to....they are considered in the public domain so as long as you don't use those photos in an advertisment you're pretty much free to publish them anywhere.

As far as "girlfriends" go.....they are private individuals and it would be considered an invasion of privacy if you publish those....unless of course they are doing something "newsworthy"..

Do yourself a favor....if you break up....ditch the pics....ex-girlfriends can be as bad as ex-wives.....I've had both and it's just not worth the hassle.