Model Releases for Public Figures and Deceased?

[Bob Ulius]

I am confused about model releases. I have numerous photos of famous musicians performing. I cannot imageine that one must get model releases for them. Perhaps if tied to a product. But I would think other uses are just fine, no? And if so, how can I submit here without a release?

Similar for deceased persons. No way to get a release so what can be done?

Thanks for clarifying these things for me.

~Bob

[Abambo · Accepted solution]

Yes, you need model releases. The only exception, where no model releases are required, is editorial use and Adobe stock does not accept that use.

Similar for deceased people. You need to have a model release, or you can't use the images in a commercial setting.

[Jill_C · Accepted solution]

Read the post here from May Hayward, Adobe employee:

Solved: Model release for a person who died? - Adobe Support Community - 10131626

Unless the person depicted has been deceased for 75 years, you cannot upload their image.

[daniellei4510]

Well...as far as being "tied to a product," they are: your images, which you want to sell. So no go.

[Bob Ulius]

Thanks for the replies.

So even street photography of events is prohibited by Adobe even if newsworthy. Can I even say that no people shots are allowed by Adobe without model releases? And then if so, the same generally applies to all other stock photo shots?

[George_F]

Yes, this is more or less my understanding as well.

Here are the guidelines for Illustrative Editorial that Adobe accepts, which is different from Documentary Editorial.  At least this is my understanding.  Cheers!

[Jill_C · Accepted solution]

Adobe does not accept editorial-style images that include people. The distinction that needs to be made is that Adobe accepts only "Illustrative Editorial", not truly Editorial images. I think other agencies, including Getty Images, accept truly Editorial images which include people, because I see their tag line often in news articles.

The requirement for Model Releases is not an Adobe Stock policy; it's a legal requirement. People need to provide their explicit approval for their images to be used commercially. Thus, you'll encounter the model release requirement at every stock agency.

[Bob Ulius]

Got it. Thanks. So it sems I need another venue other than "stock" photography sites to sell my images and prints.

Getty did confuse me as it seems historical events with public figures often do have their tag. But of course, not endorsing products. So that is the kind of stock I was looking for. Concert shots of famous musiciians living and passed, for example.

Thanks all.

[Jill_C]

Here's the page for Getty's Editorial requirements, which are kind of vague... If you think you have a portfolio that has some Editorial value, you can contact them directly for consideration.
Editorial | Getty Images

[Abambo]

Stock (not only Adobe stock) is unfit for street photography. You need to stage that, and you will need model releases. Other stock sites may accept editorial assets with people in. 

[Bob Ulius]

Thanks for all the good information folks. Got what I needed. Cannot choose one answer as the answer but all helped me understand..