risk to photographers is virtually nil (so long as proper disclosures of the existence of a release, and its content is made to whoever licenses the photo for publication), the business need for having releases rises substantially if the main source of income from the photographer's work lies within industries that would require them (such as advertising). In short, photojournalists almost never need to obtain model releases for images they shoot for (or sell to) news or qualified editorial publications. Photographers who also publish images may need releases to protect themselves, but there is a distinction between making an image available for sale (even via a website), which is not considered publication in a form that would require a release, and the use of the same image to promote a product or service in a way that would require a release. Types of release Adult release: This is the form most commonly referred to as a "model release". The language of this release is normally intended for use by models over the age of majority. Minor release: This variant of the model release contains language referring to the model (who is a minor) in the third-person, and required signature by a parent or other legal guardian of the model. A release which is not signed by a parent or guardian may afford no legal protection to the publisher. Group release: This is a modified version of the adult release, which includes additional signature lines to accommodate use by multiple models or subjects in a single image. See also Personality rights References External links Basics of model releases Further reading Photography Legal documents Personality rights