Asking for Advice on Licensing Street, Culture, and Daily Life Photos from Africa

[selcuk c photo]

Hi everyone,

I am currently photographing street scenes, culture, and daily life in Africa and would like to sell these images as stock photos. However, many of these photos feature large crowds of people, and obtaining written consent from each individual in these groups is nearly impossible.

The images are documentary-style, capturing general aspects of everyday life, rather than focusing on specific individuals. Given these circumstances, what are the essential conditions I need to follow when submitting these types of photos without explicit consent from the people in them?

Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance.

[Jill_C]

You cannot submit images of recognizable people without their written consent. There's no way around this requirement. People have the rights to their own images. The rule of thumb is that if a person could recognize himself in your image, you need a model release. If they are very far distant, or in silhouette or facing away, the image might be accepted withiut model releases.

[RALPH_L]

Also be carefull not to show merchandising signs or car plates. Always a problem in street photography.

[Nancy OShea]

Carry blank model & property release forms with you.

Even documentarians have to obtain written permission to use people & protected property commercially.