In certain situations, content must be accompanied by model releases, property releases, or press credentials in order to be accepted into our collection. For instance, commercial submissions may require model or property releases when a person or property is recognizable. And when it comes to editorial content, press credentials may be required to prove that authorization was given to shoot an organized event such as a concert, major league sporting event, or conference.

Here's a closer look into each document and the information that's required to help you manage your content submission.

 

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Model Releases

What is a Model Release?

A model release is an agreement that provides legal protections to content creators, models, and customers who license the content. Model releases determine how an image or clip with a recognizable individual may be used. The two main types of model releases are adult model releases and minor model releases.

 

When is a Model Release Required?

Generally speaking, a model release is required when commercial content depicts:

• A recognizable person 
• A body part of an unrecognizable model with a visible tattoo
• Nude models or models who are part of a sexually suggestive concept, including unrecognizable models
• Illustrations, vectors, or animations created in the likeness of actual people

 

Content will typically be rejected for Missing Model Release if a model release is not provided for one of the situations listed above.

 

Model releases are not required for recognizable people depicted in editorial content.
 

Top left: Image 164990474 by paultarasenko; Top right: Image 285645989 by Chris Tefme
Bottom left: Image 143063728 by Lolostock: Bottom right: Image 608943263 by Lightman David

 

General Model Release Form Requirements:

 

• Release documents must contain the required information that is found in the adult, minor, and mature content model release information checklists below. 
• The information provided on a release form must be legible and accurate.
• A separate model release is required for each recognizable person. E.g., A photo with five recognizable models will require five separate model release attachments.
• Model release attachments that contain multiple model release forms in a single file will not be accepted. E.g., A single JPEG file that contains five model releases.
• Multipage release forms, per recognizable person, must be uploaded as one JPEG file. Multipage release forms will not be accepted if the pages are attached separately as individual JPEG files. E.g., If a single model release form consists of five pages, all five pages must be included in one JPEG file.
• Mononymous people (people known by just one name, rather than a first name and surname) require a government-issued ID attached to the release to confirm the person only has one name. If an ID is not provided, the release will not be accepted.
• If a model is deceased, model information needs to be completed and signed by the person’s next of kin. It is recommended to include a note that explains the next of kin’s relationship to the model.
• Only Gregorian calendar dates will be accepted. It is recommended to write out the entire date including the name of the month (e.g., March 15, 2015).
• Release forms that do not meet these requirements will be rejected for Invalid Model Release.

Shutterstock release forms can be downloaded from the Legal Center, and completed releases can be uploaded during content submission and managed in your account.

 

Non-English Model Release Forms

• Shutterstock accepts only the following non-English release forms:
  • Shutterstock
  • Getty
  • iStock
  • Adobe
  • Easy Release 
• The information fields on these release forms do not need to be filled out in English, however, email addresses and phone numbers must use English letters (Latin script) and western Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3…). 
• All other non-English release forms will not be accepted.
• Dual-language release forms (i.e., English and another language) are acceptable if they comply with the English language release requirement checklists.

 

NOTE: Release form alterations are not acceptable. Releases with crossed out, scribbled out, white out, and copied & pasted information will be rejected. 

 

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Property Releases

What is a Property Release?

A property release is an agreement that provides legal protections to content creators, property owners, and customers who license the content. A property release is required when an image or clip features recognizable intellectual property or real estate property to signify that the property owner or authorized representative has given you permission to use an image or footage of their property for commercial use.

 

When is a Property Release Required?

Generally speaking, a property release is required when commercial content depicts:

• Artwork, which includes but is not limited to paintings, murals, graffiti, drawings, sketches, photographic prints, tattoos, and blueprints
• Sculptures, statues, and monuments
• Stained glass
• Sheet music
• Literary works
• Music lyrics
• Restricted exterior architectural designs
• Building interiors
• Private land

 

Content will typically be rejected for Intellectual Property or Missing Property Release if a property release is not provided for the subjects listed above. See the Intellectual Property article for information on when a property release may be required.
 

Property releases are not required for editorial content.


 

Top left: Image 2135816855 by Sabrina Bracher; Top right: Image 2033349806 by Prostock-studio
Bottom left: Image 1984393460 by Petr Kahanek; Bottom right: Image 276029486 by InnaFelker

 

General Property Release Form Requirements:

 

• Release documents must contain the required information that is found in the property release information checklist below. 
• The information provided on a release form must be legible and accurate.
• Separate property release attachments are required for each of the following types of property:
  • Real estate (e.g., recognizable building interior or private land)
  • Intellectual property/artwork (e.g., paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, etc.)
  • Tattoos
• Property release attachments that contain multiple property release forms in a single file will not be accepted. E.g., A single JPEG file that contains five property releases.
• Multipage release forms, per recognizable property, must be uploaded as one JPEG file. Multipage release forms will not be accepted if the pages are attached separately as individual JPEG files. E.g., If a single property release form consists of five pages, all five pages must be included in one JPEG file.
• Mononymous people (people known by just one name, rather than a first name and surname) require a government-issued ID attached to the release to confirm the person only has one name. If an ID is not provided, the release will not be accepted.
• Only Gregorian calendar dates will be accepted. It is recommended to write out the entire date including the name of the month (e.g., March 15, 2015).
• Release forms that do not meet these requirements will be rejected for Invalid Property Release.

Shutterstock release forms can be downloaded from the Legal Center, and completed releases can be uploaded during content submission and managed in your account.
 

 

Non-English Property Release Forms

• Shutterstock only accepts the following non-English release forms: 
  • Shutterstock
  • Getty
  • iStock
  • Adobe
  • Easy Release
• The information fields on these release forms do not need to be filled out in English, however, email addresses and phone numbers must use English letters (Latin script) and western Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3…). 
• All other non-English release forms will not be accepted.
• Dual-language release forms (i.e., English and another language) are acceptable if they comply with the English language release requirement checklists.

 

NOTE: Release form alterations are not acceptable. Releases with crossed out, scribbled out, white out, and copied & pasted information will be rejected. 

 

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Press Credentials

Press credentials confirm that an individual was authorized to shoot an event.

Editorial images or videos that were shot at the events listed below require proof of credentials before they can be submitted to Shutterstock: 

• Concerts held in private venues with ticketed admission
• Historical reeneactments
• Press conferences and panel discussions
• Red carpet events
• Runway shows
• Select airshows
• Sporting events, including those taken at non-collegiate schools or non-professional events
• Theatrical performances held in private venues with ticketed admission, including those taken at school performances/theater

NOTE: Prohibited events that are found on the Known Image Restrictions - Events list will not be accepted even if credentials are provided.

Top left: Image 262974035 by Christian Bertrand; Top right: Image 1526611238 by A_Lesik
Bottom left: Image 497557876 by Grindstone Media Group; Bottom right: Image 2190839031 by Ringo Chiu

Press credential requirements

Shutterstock accepts two forms of press credentials:

1. Event Badges: An event badge that indicates your authorization to shoot the event and includes the following information:

• The name of the event;
• The date of the event; and
• Your name, if possible

2. Correspondence: The email or letter from the authorized representative of the venue, event, performer's management, etc., that indicates your authorization to shoot the event. 

Such correspondence must include the following information:

• The name of the event;
• The date of the event (if not, then the date of the email);
• Your name;
• The authorized representative’s name and company; and
• The email must be sent from the representative’s company email account

How to submit credentials:

• Prior to submitting your content send an email to credentials@shutterstock.com and attach your credentials. Once your credentials are approved, we will provide you with a case number that must be included with your content submission.
• Credentials requests are processed Monday - Friday during regular business hours in US Eastern Time. Most credentials will be reviewed within 48 hours, but requests submitted over the weekend may take longer. If you need to have your credentials approved prior to a time-sensitive weekend event, please be sure to contact us no later than the Thursday prior to the event.
• Please note that we will evaluate credentials on a case-by-case basis.
• Make sure attached files do not exceed 10 MB, otherwise we may not receive them.