Photo and Video Release Form (England & Wales)
PHOTO AND VIDEO RELEASE FORM
This Photo and Video Release Form (the “Release”) is entered into on [Agreement Date] between:
(1) [Subject Name], whose address is at [Subject Address], [Subject City], [Subject Postcode], email: [Subject Email] (the “Subject”); and
(2) [Photographer Name], whose registered or principal address is at [Photographer Address], [Photographer City], [Photographer Postcode] (the “Photographer”).
The Subject and the Photographer are referred to collectively as the “Parties” and individually as a “Party”.
BACKGROUND
The Photographer is capturing [Media Type] of the Subject on [Session Date] at [Session Location] in connection with the following session or event: [Session Description] (the “Session”). The Parties wish to record the terms on which the Subject grants the Photographer the right to use the photographs, videos, and other materials captured at the Session.
1. GRANT OF CONSENT AND LICENCE
1.1 The Subject hereby irrevocably grants to the Photographer and its successors, assigns, and licensees the absolute right and permission to use, reproduce, publish, display, broadcast, distribute, edit, adapt, and create derivative works from any and all [Media Type] and other visual or audiovisual materials (collectively, the “Materials”) taken of the Subject at the Session, for [Permitted Uses].
1.2 This grant of consent and licence is given for [Release Duration].
1.3 The consent and licence granted in clause 1.1 extends to the Subject’s name, likeness, image, and biographical information in connection with the permitted uses of the Materials.
1.4 The Photographer shall have the right to edit, crop, retouch, alter, and combine the Materials with other content at its discretion, provided that any such alterations are not derogatory to the Subject’s honour or reputation.
2. COPYRIGHT
2.1 The Parties acknowledge that the copyright in the photographs and videos taken at the Session vests in the Photographer as the author of those works under section 11 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. This Release does not transfer or affect the Photographer’s copyright ownership of the Materials.
2.2 The Subject acknowledges that they have no copyright in the photographs or videos taken at the Session by virtue of being the subject of those photographs or videos.
3. CONSIDERATION
3.1 In consideration of [Compensation Type], the receipt and adequacy of which the Subject hereby acknowledges, the Subject grants the rights and consents set out in this Release.
4. WAIVER OF CLAIMS
4.1 The Subject hereby releases and discharges the Photographer and its officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns from any and all claims, demands, actions, and liabilities of any kind whatsoever arising from or in connection with the use of the Materials as permitted by this Release, including but not limited to any claims relating to invasion of privacy, misuse of private information, defamation, or any claim under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
4.2 Nothing in this clause 8 shall be construed as a waiver of any rights that cannot lawfully be waived.
5. GENERAL PROVISIONS
5.1 This Release and any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out of or in connection with it or its subject matter shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
5.2 Each Party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Release.
5.3 This Release is irrevocable for [Release Duration], and the Subject acknowledges that the Photographer may incur costs and make commitments in reliance on this Release. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Subject’s right to withdraw consent to the processing of personal data under the UK GDPR is not affected by the irrevocability of the contractual licence granted by this Release.
5.4 A person who is not a party to this Release shall have no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any of its terms.
5.5 No amendment or variation of this Release shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by both Parties.
5.6 If any provision of this Release is held to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
5.7 This Release constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties in relation to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements and understandings relating to the same.
5.8 This Release may be executed in counterparts. Electronic signatures shall be binding.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Photo and Video Release Form on the date first written above.
THE SUBJECT
Full name: [Subject Name]
Address: [Subject Address], [Subject City], [Subject Postcode]
Email: [Subject Email]
THE PHOTOGRAPHER / ORGANISATION
Name: [Photographer Name]
Address: [Photographer Address], [Photographer City], [Photographer Postcode]
Subject
________________
Signature
Date: ________________
Photographer / Organisation
________________
Signature
Date: ________________
What Is a Photo and Video Release Form (England & Wales)?
A Photo and Video Release Form in the United Kingdom gives written permission for a specific act and records the scope and limits of the consent provided, with its requirements set by the Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Photographs and videos of identifiable individuals constitute personal data within the meaning of the UK GDPR. The processing of personal data requires a lawful basis under Article 6 of the UK GDPR, and for commercial photography and videography, consent under Article 6(1)(a) is the most common basis relied upon. The UK GDPR requires that consent be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous: a signed photo and video release form that clearly sets out the purposes for which the materials will be used, the duration of the release, and the rights of the Subject provides the clearest evidence of valid consent.
The copyright in photographs and videos taken in England and Wales vests in the photographer as the author of those works under section 11 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (CDPA 1988). The Subject of a photograph has no copyright in the image simply by virtue of being depicted. However, the Subject retains personal data rights under the UK GDPR and, in certain contexts, privacy rights under the common law tort of misuse of private information. A photo and video release form operates to document the Subject’s consent to the use of their image and likeness, thereby addressing both the UK GDPR consent requirement and any potential claims in misuse of private information.
The release also addresses the interaction between the contractual licence and the Subject’s UK GDPR right to withdraw consent at any time under Article 7(3). A well-drafted release should acknowledge this right while also recording the irrevocability of the contractual licence for the agreed duration, and should clarify the legal position where consent is withdrawn.
The legal framework governing the Photo and Video Release Form (England & Wales) in United Kingdom draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under UK law, the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 govern personal data in this document. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 protects individuals in consumer transactions. Section 62 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 addresses unfair terms. The County Court and High Court of Justice have jurisdiction over personal disputes under the Senior Courts Act 1981 and the County Courts Act 1984. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) enforces data protection. Parties executing a Photo and Video Release Form (England & Wales) in United Kingdom should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a Photo and Video Release Form (England & Wales)?
A Photo and Video Release Form is required whenever a photographer, production company, media organisation, marketing agency, or other entity wishes to capture and commercially use photographs or videos of an identifiable individual in England and Wales. It is an essential document for any commercial or editorial project that will involve the publication or distribution of images of real people.
The most common situations in England and Wales in which a photo and video release is required include: commercial advertising and marketing campaigns featuring models, actors, or real-life participants; corporate photography and video projects featuring employees, customers, or public members in promotional materials; editorial photography for publication in newspapers, magazines, websites, and digital media; social media content creation and influencer marketing involving identifiable individuals; event photography at conferences, weddings, sporting events, and festivals where images of attendees will be used commercially; documentary film and television productions featuring real people; university, school, or charity projects involving photographs of students, service users, or beneficiaries; and product photography featuring models or real users.
A photo and video release is also important for retrospective use of existing images: where a photographer holds a library of images captured without a formal release, obtaining retrospective consents from identifiable individuals before commercially exploiting those images is recommended to confirm compliance with the UK GDPR.
For projects involving child subjects, a photo and video release signed by the parent or legal guardian is mandatory from both a legal and a safeguarding perspective. Many schools, sports clubs, and other organisations working with children have their own policies requiring signed image consent forms as a condition of participation, and a photo release should be consistent with those policies.
Parties in United Kingdom should prepare a Photo and Video Release Form (England & Wales) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Courts interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations. Under UK law, the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 govern personal data in this document. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 protects individuals in consumer transactions. Section 62 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 addresses unfair terms. The County Court and High Court of Justice have jurisdiction over personal disputes under the Senior Courts Act 1981 and the County Courts Act 1984. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) enforces data protection. Where the transaction involves regulated activities, prior approval from the relevant authority may be required before execution.
What to Include in Your Photo and Video Release Form (England & Wales)
A well-drafted Photo and Video Release Form for use in England and Wales must contain several key provisions to comply with the UK GDPR and to give the Photographer the rights needed to use the materials.
The UK GDPR consent clause is the most important element of a photo and video release form in England and Wales. It must confirm that the Subject’s consent is freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous, as required by Article 4(11) and Article 7 of the UK GDPR. The consent must be specific to the processing described in the form — a general or blanket consent that does not specify the purposes and manner of use may not satisfy the UK GDPR’s specificity requirement. The clause should also inform the Subject of their right to withdraw consent at any time under Article 7(3), and should explain the consequences of withdrawal (in particular, that withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing that has already occurred).
The description of the session or event should clearly identify the occasion on which the photographs or videos will be taken, the date and location, and the subject matter. This confirms that the consent is specific to identified recordings rather than operating as a general open-ended consent.
The permitted uses clause must specify precisely how the Photographer is allowed to use the materials. Different uses have different implications for the Subject: a consent to editorial use in a trade publication is very different from a consent to use in a national advertising campaign. The clause should list the permitted media (print, digital, broadcast, social media), the permitted purposes (advertising, editorial, internal use), and any geographic restrictions. Any uses not expressly permitted should be treated as excluded uses requiring separate consent.
The duration of the release should be clearly specified. A perpetual licence is common in commercial photography but may be challenged under the UK GDPR where the data retention principle requires that personal data is not kept for longer than necessary. The release should balance the commercial needs of the Photographer with the Subject’s data protection rights.
The minor subject clause is essential where the Subject is under 18. It must identify the parent or legal guardian, confirm their relationship to the Subject, and confirm that they have the legal authority to consent on the Subject’s behalf. For children under 13, the consent requirement of Article 8 of the UK GDPR must be addressed.
The no-further-claims clause releases the Photographer from claims by the Subject arising from the permitted uses of the materials, including any claims in misuse of private information, defamation, or invasion of privacy. The forms-legal.com Photo and Video Release Form (England & Wales) template covers the mandatory elements under Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
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Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Photo and Video Release Form (England & Wales) (United Kingdom) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/uk/personal/releases/photo-video-release-form-uk
"Photo and Video Release Form (England & Wales) (United Kingdom)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/uk/personal/releases/photo-video-release-form-uk.
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author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {Photo and Video Release Form (England & Wales) (United Kingdom)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/uk/personal/releases/photo-video-release-form-uk}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988}
}Also available for these jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), as retained in UK law by section 3 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and implemented by the Data Protection Act 2018, photographs and videos of identifiable individuals constitute personal data. The processing of personal data — which includes capturing, storing, editing, and publishing photographs and videos — must have a lawful basis under Article 6 of the UK GDPR. For commercial photography and videography, the most commonly relied upon lawful bases are consent (Article 6(1)(a)) and legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f)). Relying on consent requires that the individual has given their freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous consent to the processing. A photo and video release form documents this consent. Even where a photographer relies on legitimate interests rather than consent, it is good practice to obtain a signed release to evidence that the subject was aware of and agreed to the use of their image. Failure to comply with the UK GDPR can result in enforcement action by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and civil claims for compensation under section 168 of the Data Protection Act 2018.
Under section 11 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (CDPA 1988), the first owner of copyright in a photograph is the author of the work, which is defined in section 9(1) as the person who creates it. For photographs, the author is generally the photographer — the person who took the photograph. This is the case whether the photographer is a professional or an amateur, and regardless of whether the subject consented to being photographed. The subject of a photograph has no copyright in the photograph simply by virtue of being the person depicted: copyright belongs to the creator, not the subject. However, the subject does have personal data rights under the UK GDPR, privacy rights under the common law tort of misuse of private information (developed from the principles in Douglas v Hello! Ltd [2005] EWCA Civ 595), and (where relevant) performers’ rights under Part II of the CDPA if the photograph or video captures a qualifying performance. A photo and video release form is therefore primarily a personal data consent document and a licence from the subject to the photographer — it does not transfer copyright ownership, which always remains with the photographer.
Under Article 7(3) of the UK GDPR, a data subject has the right to withdraw their consent to the processing of their personal data at any time, and the withdrawal of consent shall not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal. This means that if a subject withdraws their consent, the photographer must stop using the photographs and videos for the purposes for which consent was given, and must delete or anonymise the relevant personal data unless another lawful basis for processing exists. However, the right to withdraw consent under the UK GDPR operates independently of the contractual licence granted by the photo release. Where the subject has entered into a binding contract (the photo release) in exchange for consideration, the contractual licence may continue in force as a matter of contract law even after consent is withdrawn, provided the photographer relies on a different lawful basis for processing (such as legitimate interests) following the withdrawal of consent. The interaction between the UK GDPR right to withdraw consent and the contractual irrevocability of a photo release is a nuanced area, and photographers and organisations should seek legal advice where a subject withdraws consent.
In England and Wales, there is no general prohibition on taking photographs in public places — unlike in some other jurisdictions, English law does not recognise a freestanding right of privacy in public spaces in the sense of a general ‘right not to be photographed’. However, the use of photographs of identifiable individuals for commercial purposes — particularly for advertising, endorsement, or promotional purposes — can give rise to legal claims under the tort of misuse of private information, the Data Protection Act 2018 (UK GDPR), and in certain circumstances the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. The tort of misuse of private information (developed in cases such as McKennitt v Ash [2006] EWCA Civ 1714 and Vidal-Hall v Google Inc [2015] EWCA Civ 311) can apply where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy even in a public place — for example, where photographs are taken at a sensitive moment or in a context where the individual had a reasonable expectation that their image would not be commercially exploited. Best practice for any commercial photography or video project is to obtain a signed photo release form from all identifiable individuals, even where the images were taken in a public place, to avoid the risk of claims under the UK GDPR and the tort of misuse of private information.
Children (persons under 18) in England and Wales have the same rights as adults under the UK GDPR, but additional protections apply. Under Article 8 of the UK GDPR, children under 13 cannot give their own consent to the processing of their personal data in relation to information society services: instead, consent must be given by the holder of parental responsibility. For other processing activities (including photography and videography), the general position is that where a child lacks capacity to understand and give informed consent — which may be the case for younger children even above the age of 13 — consent should be obtained from the parent or legal guardian. A photo release for a minor must therefore be signed by a parent or legal guardian with parental responsibility for the child, who must themselves be over 18 and have the legal authority to grant consent on the child’s behalf. In addition to the UK GDPR requirements, the photographing and filming of children in educational settings, sports clubs, and other organised activities is governed by the safeguarding policies of those organisations, which may impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by law. The UK Information Commissioner’s Office has published guidance on capturing children’s images which should be consulted for detailed compliance requirements.
In English legal usage, the terms ‘photo release’ and ‘model release’ are often used interchangeably, and there is no firm legal distinction between them. In practice, however, a model release is most commonly associated with commercial photography involving a professional model or a paid subject, and tends to place greater emphasis on the commercial exploitation rights granted by the subject, the scope of permitted uses, and the compensation paid. A photo release is a broader term that can be used for any photograph or video consent form, whether in a commercial or non-commercial context. Both documents serve the same primary legal function: they document the subject’s informed consent to the use of their image and likeness in the specified ways, provide the contractual licence needed to exploit the photographs commercially, and evidence compliance with the UK GDPR’s consent requirements. From a UK GDPR perspective, what matters is not the label on the document but whether the consent is freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous — all of which are requirements that a well-drafted photo or model release should satisfy.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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