Explain the difference between a model release and a property release in commercial photography, and when each is required.

• A. A model release grants permission to use a person’s likeness for commercial purposes; a property release covers locations, trademarks, products, or branded displays. Both are typically required for commercial usage where the subject or location is identifiable.
• B. A model release is used to license a location.
• C. A property release is not required for branded displays.
• D. A model release only applies to minors.

Answer: (A)

In commercial photography, you need to manage rights to both people and places. A model release is permission from a person to use their likeness in promotional material. It’s required whenever the person is identifiable and the image will be used commercially—think ads, catalogs, websites, or campaigns. For minors, a parent or guardian must sign, but releases aren’t limited to minors; adults sign themselves.

A property release covers rights related to a location or property, including recognizable buildings, interiors, trademarks, products, or branded displays. It’s needed when the shot features identifiable property or branding and you plan to use the image commercially, to protect the owner’s rights and avoid misrepresentation or unauthorized use.

Both releases may be necessary if the photo includes identifiable people and identifiable property or branding. If the image isn’t used commercially or the subject/location isn’t identifiable, releases may not be required.

Other choices misstate the scope: a model release is not about licensing locations, and property releases do apply to branded displays. A model release isn’t limited to minors.