In today’s market, I am finding that more and more commercial print (modeling) jobs are either paying less or the clients are wanting longer usage agreements (more than 12 months usage) and or offering less money for high exposure usage (billboards, posters etc…) That is why it is crucial that you carefully read the model release form you should be asked to sign at the end of every modeling job.
In my book, How to Become a Successful Commercial Model, you will see a release form, and the words that need to be changed. The words you are looking for are – your image can be used for any purpose and through any media what so ever. You don’t want to sign the release without scratching those words out, writing on the form exactly how your agent said the ad will be used (for newspaper only, magazine only, brochure only etc…), initial it, then sign it at the bottom. That is how you protect yourself. I know models who have lost thousands of dollars because they did not make the proper changes to the release form.
If you were getting paid for a newspaper ad, and then you find the ad on a billboard, or on the companies internet site, by making the changes I suggest, now you have a good chance of getting additional monies for having your image in a high exposure format – (and so will your agent).
If the photographer has any problem with your changes to the release form, then ask him/her to talk with your agent. Do not get into a negotiation with the photographer. If your agent asks you not to make the changes, then I would follow your agent’s advice.