What is required for photographing recognizable individuals in public places?

• A. Verbal consent is sufficient.
• B. Written consent via a signed permission form, such as a model release form.
• C. No consent is ever required.
• D. Consent is required only for commercial use if there is payment.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that you typically don’t need formal permission to photograph people in public, but you do need written consent when you plan to use the image in a way that could be commercial or widely distributed. A signed model release provides that written authorization and specifies how the image can be used, where it will appear, and for how long. It protects both the photographer and the subject by clearly outlining rights and limits, which is why it’s the standard requirement for commercial or promotional uses.

Verbal consent isn’t as reliable or enforceable for formal uses, and saying that no consent is ever required isn’t accurate for situations where the image will be used commercially. A release isn’t only about payment; even unpaid uses—like stock photography or advertising—often require clear written permission to avoid legal issues.