A Canadian Photo Consent Form (also called an image release or model release) is a legal document in which an individual (the releasor) grants permission to another party (the recipient) to use their photograph, image, or likeness for specified purposes. The form establishes the terms under which the images may be used, edited, published, and distributed, and releases the recipient from liability claims related to the use of the releasor's image.

In Canada, the right to control the use of one's image is protected by a combination of federal and provincial privacy legislation. The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) classifies photographs as personal information and requires organizations to obtain meaningful consent before collecting, using, or disclosing such information. Provincial privacy statutes — such as Alberta's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), BC's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), and Quebec's Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector — impose similar requirements.

Quebec's Civil Code provides the strongest protection for the right to one's image in Canada. Article 36 of the Civil Code of Quebec specifically lists the use of a person's image without their consent as a violation of their right to privacy. Courts in Quebec have consistently held that using a person's photograph for commercial purposes without consent is actionable, even if the photograph was taken in a public place.

In common law provinces, the right to control the use of one's image is less clearly defined by statute, but courts have recognized a common law tort of appropriation of personality (as established in cases such as Krouse v. Chrysler Canada Ltd. and Athans v. Canadian Adventure Camps Ltd.). This tort protects individuals from unauthorized commercial use of their image, name, or likeness.

A photo consent form serves multiple purposes: it provides the recipient with documented authorization to use the images, protects the recipient from future claims by the releasor, establishes whether the use is royalty-free or compensated, and specifies the scope of permitted use (media, purpose, territory, and duration). For photographs of minors, a parent or legal guardian must sign the consent form.

This template is designed for photographers, marketing agencies, schools, non-profit organizations, and businesses across all Canadian provinces and territories.

When a photographer, videographer, or studio takes professional photographs of an individual and intends to use the images for commercial purposes such as advertising, marketing materials, product packaging, or stock photography.

When a business or organization photographs employees, customers, or event attendees for use in marketing materials, social media content, website imagery, newsletters, or annual reports, and needs documented consent to comply with PIPEDA and provincial privacy legislation.

When a school or educational institution photographs students for yearbooks, school websites, social media accounts, or promotional materials, and requires parental consent for minors under the applicable provincial age of majority.

When a non-profit organization or charity photographs volunteers, participants, or beneficiaries for fundraising materials, grant applications, or awareness campaigns, and needs to document the individuals' consent to use their images.

When a media company or publication uses editorial photographs of identifiable individuals and wants additional protection beyond the journalistic exemption by obtaining written consent from the subjects.

When an event organizer photographs attendees at conferences, workshops, sporting events, or community gatherings and plans to use the images for promotional purposes, particularly when the photographs will be posted on social media or shared with sponsors.

When a photographer wants to license or sell photographs of identifiable individuals through stock photography agencies, which universally require a signed model release before images can be made available for commercial licensing.

Without a signed photo consent form, the use of a person's image for commercial purposes may expose the user to claims under privacy legislation, the common law tort of appropriation of personality, or Quebec's Civil Code provisions protecting the right to one's image.

Releasor Identification — Full legal name and address of the person whose image is being used (the releasor). If the releasor is a minor, include the minor's name and the name and relationship of the parent or legal guardian providing consent on their behalf.

Recipient Information — Full name and address of the person or organization authorized to use the photographs (the recipient), including whether the recipient is an individual, corporation, non-profit organization, or partnership.

Usage Location and Medium — The specific media in which the photographs may be used, such as printed publications, digital publications, social media platforms, marketing and advertising materials, or websites. This limits the scope of the consent to specified channels.

Purpose of Use — The specific purposes for which the releasor's image may be used, such as advertising and marketing, editorial and educational content, or commercial sale. This ensures the releasor understands how their image will be used and limits use to the stated purposes.

Photo Description — Optional section identifying the specific photographs or photo session covered by the consent, including the project or event name, date, and location. This is particularly important when the consent applies to a specific set of photographs rather than a general authorization.

Compensation — Whether the consent is royalty-free (no payment to the releasor) or requires payment. If compensation is provided, the terms should be specified. Note that under PIPEDA, consent must be meaningful, so the releasor should understand the financial terms before signing.

Editing and Alteration Rights — The recipient's right to edit, alter, crop, or combine the photographs with other images for publication. The releasor's waiver of any right to approve the finished product.

Revocation Rights — Whether the releasor may revoke consent by providing written notice to the recipient, and the effect of revocation on photographs already published or distributed. Under PIPEDA, individuals have the right to withdraw consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual limitations.

Privacy Compliance — A clause confirming that the recipient will collect, use, and disclose the releasor's personal information in compliance with PIPEDA and applicable provincial privacy legislation, and will only use the photographs for the purposes specified in the consent form.

Governing Province — The province whose laws govern the consent form, which is particularly important because privacy protection varies significantly across provinces (especially Quebec, which has distinct Civil Code protections for the right to one's image).