Submitting to Magazines

[jcspenny]

Hello. I recently attended the local rodeo and was considering submitting a few shots to magazines. I took a journalism course earlier this year (it focused more on writing for magazines but did touch on the process for submitting pictures) so I have an idea of the procedure, but I do have some questions.

I have attached two of the pictures I'm thinking of submitting. Am I right to think that a model release isn't necessary since this was a public event and the pictures I plan on submitting won't have anyone is is easy to identify? What about the spectators in the first image? Are they too in focus not to need model releases? Or does that even matter since this was a public event? I'm also wondering about the banners in the second image. Would it be safer not to submit images with banners like that?

Anything else I should know? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[ChrisAdval]

I'm as well curios about knowing more, but I know these model releases laws are dependent on what countries you're located and maybe as well on if they are officially copyrighted with the federal government you're living at and if they are internationally copyrighted images or not. Some images copyright laws may be very different in different countries. (for U.S.) But if its a public event on public land, I don't think you need a model release at all... BUT if its a public event on private land I'd assume you need the host or land owner's property release, but I could be wrong. And you can't sell the photos for profit, like selling the prints outside of press/media purposes (again assumption).

[Jim Bryant]

Get the latest copy of the Photographer's market. It's filled with helpful hints on sending images to magazines and their submission requirements.

[jcspenny]

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

but I know these model releases laws are dependent on what countries you're located and maybe as well on if they are officially copyrighted with the federal government you're living at and if they are internationally copyrighted images or not. Some images copyright laws may be very different in different countries. (for U.S.)

Good point, I hadn't thought of that. I'm in Canada and the magazines I'm considering are American and Canadian.

Get the latest copy of the Photographer's market. It's filled with helpful hints on sending images to magazines and their submission requirements.

Thanks for the suggestion, Jim. I'll definitely do that.

[UlpilotSC]

What about calling the magazine you are interested in? I used to submit articles to "ultralight flying". They paid $50 an article with pictures. Of course I wasn't worried about rights or anything. They're a small niche magazine printed in color on newsprint, it's not like they sell a million copies a month or anything. The $50 was nice for attending a fly in event.

[jcspenny]

Originally Posted by UlpilotSC

What about calling the magazine you are interested in? I used to submit articles to "ultralight flying". They paid $50 an article with pictures. Of course I wasn't worried about rights or anything. They're a small niche magazine printed in color on newsprint, it's not like they sell a million copies a month or anything. The $50 was nice for attending a fly in event.

Thanks for the suggestion but I'm pretty sure the editors at the magazines I have in mind are too busy to take phone calls from someone like me. The actual submission process doesn't worry me, it's just that some of the photo guidelines are a little fuzzy where model releases are concerned.

For example, I found out that the photo guidelines for one magazine says that "you must submit a model release with any photos taken on private property (ie not a horse show)."

The rodeo was a public event (and considered a horse show) but it was on private property. Then again, pretty much every show around here takes place on private property. But then, like I was wondering before, since this was a public event does that matter? The wording of the photo guidelines makes me think I wouldn't need one, but I'm still not entirely sure of that.

[Gulf Coast Girl]

I don't know anything about submitting photos to magazines, I just wanted to drop a note to say those are great shots! Well done

[mshockley]

Originally Posted by Gulf Coast Girl

I don't know anything about submitting photos to magazines, I just wanted to drop a note to say those are great shots! Well done

Same here not any help as far as your question goes, but what wonderful sharp images you've captured!

[jcspenny]

Originally Posted by Gulf Coast Girl

I don't know anything about submitting photos to magazines, I just wanted to drop a note to say those are great shots! Well done

Thank you so much, Gulf Coast Girl and mshockley. I'm glad you like them.

[Ariana Murphy]

Hi, jcspenny,

Greetings from a fellow Ontarian! (Niagara region)

I took a course at Niagara College on Stock Photography, and there was a lot of info about copyrights and model releases. If I got it straight, it depends less on where you took the picture and more on what the picture will be used for. For an editorial purpose, for example a magazine article about rodeos, there are no model releases needed. For advertising purposes, then releases are needed. From everyone, as far as I understand it. But only if they are recognizable in the photo. So a little subtle blurring of the faces in the background would be necessary. Also, in the second image, the advertising banners in the background are no problem in an editorial image, but not for advertising.

Keep in mind the course was focused on stock photography, but the same copyright laws should apply.

If you need more info, I could ask my professor (who owns a stock agency) if I can pass on his email address. He is very knowledgeable about this sort of thing. With excellent images like that, I'm sure he would like to hear from you!