Document template

Free photo release form template for media permissions

Get written permission before using someone's photos, video, testimonial, or likeness.

Last reviewed: June 17, 2026

Inkly workflow

Send, sign, track

  1. 1Download and customize the photo release sample
  2. 2Export the final release as a PDF
  3. 3Upload it to Inkly and place signer fields
  4. 4Send for signature, and get notified when it's signed

Who it's for: Photographers, videographers, marketing agencies, content creators, and businesses that photograph clients, staff, or members of the public for any commercial or promotional purpose.

Photo and media releases help document permission before a business, photographer, creator, or agency uses someone's image, video, testimonial, or likeness. The exact language depends on the project and usage rights, but a clear starter form can help you avoid starting from a blank page.

Start from our downloadable photo release sample. Customize the permitted uses, media description, duration, and signer details, export the final form as a PDF, then use Inkly to collect the signed copy.

Sample template

Photo release form starter template

A media-permission starter form with placeholders for subject details, media description, permitted uses, duration, and signatures.

Sample templates are starting points, not legal advice. Customize the language for your business and ask a qualified professional to review important documents.

photo-release-form-template

DOCX and PDF included

  • Subject and media description placeholders
  • Usage permission and duration sections
  • Adult signer and guardian signature blocks

What you'll send

  • Commercial photo release forms
  • Model release forms
  • Video release forms
  • Social media image releases
  • Event photography releases

Common challenges

  • Chasing subjects after a shoot to collect a release form they forgot to sign on the day
  • Keeping paper release forms organized and accessible when files are needed later
  • No clear timestamp showing when a release was signed and by whom

Best for

  • Photographers who need a signed release before delivering or publishing images
  • Agencies collecting releases from clients or campaign subjects
  • Businesses using customer photos in marketing materials

Not best for

  • Photographers needing a release integrated with their gallery delivery or booking software
  • Organizations needing releases signed at the moment of the shoot via kiosk or on-site device

Security and compliance

Security built into every signature.

Documents are encrypted, every signer is accounted for, and each step is recorded in a tamper-evident trail you can download anytime.

Identity verified

ESIGN & UETA compliant

Every signature carries intent, attribution, and a tamper-evident audit trail.

Client
TLS
Inkly

Encryption everywhere

AES-256 protects stored files. SHA-256 hashes make signed PDFs tamper-evident.

Independently audited

SOC 2 infrastructure

Runs on independently audited, SOC 2 Type II–compliant infrastructure.

Signed PDF

Downloadable audit trail

View, signing, and completion events are captured in a Certificate of Completion.

Pricing

Plans that scale with your signature volume.

Start free for your first 5 documents. Upgrade when your contracts pick up speed.

Free

Free forever for light, personal signing.

$0
  • 5 sent documents per 30 days
  • Upload, prepare, and send PDFs
  • Email signing links
  • Completion notices
  • Basic sender status
  • Finalized PDF download
  • Tamper-evident audit trail
  • 14-day document retention
Start free

No credit card required

Pro

Unlimited signing for individuals.

$19/month
  • Everything in Free
  • Unlimited sent documents
  • Unlimited personal templates
  • Unlimited document retention
  • Open notifications
  • Signing reminders
  • Personal message in signing invites

Teams

For growing teams that close together.

$49/month
+$10/mo per extra user
  • 5 team members included
  • Everything in Pro
  • Shared workspace documents
  • Shared workspace templates
  • Teammate invitations
  • Admin and member roles
  • Seat management
  • Centralized billing
  • Team-visible activity

FAQ

Common questions

Short, practical answers to what teams ask before they start sending.

Related pages

Keep exploring

Explore related industries, use cases, and document workflows without starting from scratch.

Free to start. No credit card required.

Send your first document
in under a minute.

Drag in a PDF, place your fields, and watch the signatures roll in.