Photo release form: get permission before you post the photos

A beautiful portrait, and then a question: may I post it? Asking after the shoot is awkward. I would rather ask first, in writing, with the uses spelled out.

Who needs to give permission?

The person in the photo, or for a child, a parent or guardian. The form asks which one is filling it in, and it takes only the child's first name, so you hold the least personal detail you can.

What does the form record?

The shoot date and name, the uses the person allows (portfolio, social media, print, publications, contests), anything they want left out, and how they wish to be credited. Then an agreement tick and a typed full name. A visitor's AI may ask "Where may the photos be used?" Then "How should we credit you?" Then "Do you agree?" It shows the answers and sends only after a yes. See agent-fillable forms.

What if someone changes their mind?

Keep the CSV, with the dates, and write down your own removal process. This is a form, not legal advice. A tick and a typed name are a simple record. Have a lawyer check your release wording before you rely on it.

Winners of a photo contest entry form often need a release too, and a wedding photography questionnaire can ask about photo use up front. More ideas are in forms for photographers.

Questions

Can the form cover children?

A parent or guardian can fill it in for a child, and the form takes only the child's first name. Ask a professional about the rules for minors where you work.

Does a typed name count as a signature?

It is a simple record, not a formal e-signature. If you need a signed release, use paper or a signing service, and keep this form for the details.

How do I match a release to a shoot?

The form asks for the shoot name and date. Sort the CSV by shoot name and keep the file in the project folder with the photos.

Or paste the JSON

Give this to your AI. It needs the AI Form API MCP server or an API key. It makes the form and sends you the link.

text

Create this form with the AI Form API create_form tool (or POST https://aiformapi.com/v1/forms with my API key). Then reply with the public_url.

{
  "title": "Photo release",
  "description": "Please tell us where your photos may be shared. You can leave out any use you are not happy with.",
  "fields": [
    {
      "id": "subject_name",
      "label": "Your full name",
      "type": "short_text",
      "required": true,
      "max_length": 150
    },
    {
      "id": "subject_email",
      "label": "Your email",
      "type": "email",
      "required": true
    },
    {
      "id": "shoot_date",
      "label": "Date of the shoot",
      "type": "date",
      "required": true
    },
    {
      "id": "shoot_title",
      "label": "Shoot or project name",
      "type": "short_text",
      "max_length": 200
    },
    {
      "id": "photographer_name",
      "label": "Photographer",
      "type": "short_text",
      "max_length": 150
    },
    {
      "id": "giving_for",
      "label": "Who is giving permission?",
      "type": "single_choice",
      "required": true,
      "options": [
        "I am 18 or older and giving permission for myself",
        "I am a parent or guardian giving permission for a child"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "child_first_name",
      "label": "Child's first name",
      "type": "short_text",
      "help": "Only if you are a parent or guardian.",
      "max_length": 100
    },
    {
      "id": "allowed_uses",
      "label": "Where may the photographer use the photos?",
      "type": "multi_choice",
      "required": true,
      "options": [
        "Portfolio and website",
        "Social media",
        "Printed marketing",
        "Magazines and publications",
        "Photo contests"
      ],
      "min": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "uses_to_exclude",
      "label": "Anything you do not want the photos used for?",
      "type": "long_text",
      "max_length": 800
    },
    {
      "id": "credit_choice",
      "label": "May we credit you by name?",
      "type": "single_choice",
      "options": [
        "Yes, use my name",
        "First name only",
        "No credit, please"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "release_agree",
      "label": "I agree to the uses I selected above",
      "type": "checkbox",
      "required": true
    },
    {
      "id": "typed_signature",
      "label": "Type your full name to agree",
      "type": "short_text",
      "required": true,
      "max_length": 150
    }
  ]
}

Or call the API

bash

curl -X POST https://aiformapi.com/v1/forms \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $AIFORMAPI_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"title":"Photo release","description":"Please tell us where your photos may be shared. You can leave out any use you are not happy with.","fields":[{"id":"subject_name","label":"Your full name","type":"short_text","required":true,"max_length":150},{"id":"subject_email","label":"Your email","type":"email","required":true},{"id":"shoot_date","label":"Date of the shoot","type":"date","required":true},{"id":"shoot_title","label":"Shoot or project name","type":"short_text","max_length":200},{"id":"photographer_name","label":"Photographer","type":"short_text","max_length":150},{"id":"giving_for","label":"Who is giving permission?","type":"single_choice","required":true,"options":["I am 18 or older and giving permission for myself","I am a parent or guardian giving permission for a child"]},{"id":"child_first_name","label":"Child'\''s first name","type":"short_text","help":"Only if you are a parent or guardian.","max_length":100},{"id":"allowed_uses","label":"Where may the photographer use the photos?","type":"multi_choice","required":true,"options":["Portfolio and website","Social media","Printed marketing","Magazines and publications","Photo contests"],"min":1},{"id":"uses_to_exclude","label":"Anything you do not want the photos used for?","type":"long_text","max_length":800},{"id":"credit_choice","label":"May we credit you by name?","type":"single_choice","options":["Yes, use my name","First name only","No credit, please"]},{"id":"release_agree","label":"I agree to the uses I selected above","type":"checkbox","required":true},{"id":"typed_signature","label":"Type your full name to agree","type":"short_text","required":true,"max_length":150}]}'

JSON definition

json

{
  "title": "Photo release",
  "description": "Please tell us where your photos may be shared. You can leave out any use you are not happy with.",
  "fields": [
    {
      "id": "subject_name",
      "label": "Your full name",
      "type": "short_text",
      "required": true,
      "max_length": 150
    },
    {
      "id": "subject_email",
      "label": "Your email",
      "type": "email",
      "required": true
    },
    {
      "id": "shoot_date",
      "label": "Date of the shoot",
      "type": "date",
      "required": true
    },
    {
      "id": "shoot_title",
      "label": "Shoot or project name",
      "type": "short_text",
      "max_length": 200
    },
    {
      "id": "photographer_name",
      "label": "Photographer",
      "type": "short_text",
      "max_length": 150
    },
    {
      "id": "giving_for",
      "label": "Who is giving permission?",
      "type": "single_choice",
      "required": true,
      "options": [
        "I am 18 or older and giving permission for myself",
        "I am a parent or guardian giving permission for a child"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "child_first_name",
      "label": "Child's first name",
      "type": "short_text",
      "help": "Only if you are a parent or guardian.",
      "max_length": 100
    },
    {
      "id": "allowed_uses",
      "label": "Where may the photographer use the photos?",
      "type": "multi_choice",
      "required": true,
      "options": [
        "Portfolio and website",
        "Social media",
        "Printed marketing",
        "Magazines and publications",
        "Photo contests"
      ],
      "min": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "uses_to_exclude",
      "label": "Anything you do not want the photos used for?",
      "type": "long_text",
      "max_length": 800
    },
    {
      "id": "credit_choice",
      "label": "May we credit you by name?",
      "type": "single_choice",
      "options": [
        "Yes, use my name",
        "First name only",
        "No credit, please"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "release_agree",
      "label": "I agree to the uses I selected above",
      "type": "checkbox",
      "required": true
    },
    {
      "id": "typed_signature",
      "label": "Type your full name to agree",
      "type": "short_text",
      "required": true,
      "max_length": 150
    }
  ]
}

Photo release form for shoots you want to share