Model Release in photography contract

Hi Samantha, I assume this photographer is using a contract from a template, and the 3rd party clause is just an artifact of the template. FWIW, we don't have the third party clause in our agreement. If you're uncomfortable with the prospect that your photographer may sell the photos, then just ask her to remove it for you. You are the customer, so it shouldn't be a big deal.

There are a lot of photographers who have a hard time understanding that the weddings they book are not their weddings. They are their customer's weddings. This is reflected in contracts, as well as how they conduct themselves at weddings. You'll see that they focus a lot on token portraits and a lot of detail shots in order to get the portfolio pictures they need to get the wedding published, but then they don't do a good job of documenting the rest of the wedding -which is their job. You should ask all photographers you are considering to show you examples of ENTIRE wedding galleries. I know I may have gone beyond answering your question, but I feel strongly about this. There is a difference between photographers who are in it for themselves, and those who focus primarily on serving their customers.

It's pretty common. If it makes you uncomfortable, discuss it, but I don't think the inclusion means they are 'in it for themselves" as opposed to serving their clients.

Face it; you find and consider photographers based on their work. The images, in every case, are theirs' not yours, but if you love them, talk to them.

I have the same clause in my contract; I invite couples to cross it out and if they do, I don't use my photos of them or their photographers'.

Thanks for the good points. We did ask the photographer about it and had them clarify exactly what it would mean in the contract. I did look through an entire wedding gallery, and we feel confident that the photographer will do a great job and that we will be notified on anything regarding our photos in the future.