Please explain using child models in your listings..

[Former_Member]

I have had several people wanting their children to "model" by Boutique Bows..
Can anyone tell me the ins & outs of doing this??

[Former_Member]

I'm curious about this too. I always have people telling me that I need to use a baby to model my blankets, but I don't have a baby. If people think that it REALLY is a good thing... Maybe I'll have to borrow a friend's baby! :)

[wildwomanbeads]

I love it when shops use real children as models. I suppose with internet abuses, you have to be prudent about this but most kids love to strut their stuff, and most shops selling children's items are helped when they have some live model shots. This would be a good question to pose to some of the shops that also sell to parents and grandparents.

[Former_Member]

I use my daughter! I plan on asking some of her friends to model too though so I can show my stuff in different hair colours/textures. I was planning on paying them in products! I would of course get their parent's permission and probably send their parents the pictures before I posted them so they could approve.

I definately think modeled shots are very helpful since it's sometimes hard to picture the scale of something from a picture. Even with measurements.

[Former_Member]

My guess is you would need to keep and file model release forms.

While I don't sell products that need people in them, I had an idea once for a photo shoot that involved people, but decided against it because of the paperwork and figuring out the legality of it.

[Former_Member]

Does that make etsy child modeling a step towards Toddlers and Tiaras?

[Former_Member]

Thanks for ya'lls input!

[Former_Member]

My daughter was in photographs modeling bows/hair flowers for a local vendor for her etsy shop. The vendor gave us the product that she modeled.

[NanaBugz]

Most of the people that contact me wanting their child to model my clothing, actually want the clothing for free!

[Former_Member]

Whitney Korstange from MapleStreetPaperCo says

My guess is you would need to keep and file model release forms.

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That's good advice. You don't want mom or dad trying to sue you down the road for posting their child's face on the internet.

[Former_Member]

I would also second the release forms. You can google to find the language, but basically, anyone that is in the photograph has to give you written permission (or in this case, their guardian/parent will sign).

[TheLandlockedSailor]

Yes, you need signed consent for the shoot and also a statement that the model will be receiving NO royalties for use of the image. Here is a great example: www.istockphoto.com/docs/languages/english/modelrelease.pdf It is a pdf from istockphoto.com that will open, not a webpage.

eta: I use them for all my models, not just for minors.

[Former_Member]

I use only my kids if their face will be photographed, if it's just their hands like forr my fingerless gloves, I have not had them sign a release form.

[Former_Member]

I've wondered the same but have never tried and I don't think I'd be comfortable with my own child's face online. Just my thoughts.

[Former_Member]

My experience with child models is the same as with adults. They should sign a contract (parental unit signs if under 18) with details of who owns copyright of photo and compensation for use of image. Most people do offer a free item to compensate for use of a persons image and you retain copyright of photo taken. This means they may not send photo around to friends without purchasing it unless that is their payment.

[DeerGirlDesigns]

I don't have any children, but rest assured, if a picture pops up in a search with a cute baby modeling something cute, I always click. I have even favorited items simply because I LOVED the photo and the baby in the item. So, I would say if you are selling children's or baby stuff, definitely find a little model.

[Former_Member]

Natasha Wiegand from Loopedwithlove4U says

I use only my kids if their face will be photographed, if it's just their hands like forr my fingerless gloves, I have not had them sign a release form.

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That is because they are your minors and therefore you do not need this. This is for when people are using other people's children. And minors don't sign release forms, their parents do. In this case, you are the parent.

[TheLandlockedSailor]

Diana from charmsbydiana says

Natasha Wiegand from Loopedwithlove4U says

I use only my kids if their face will be photographed, if it's just their hands like forr my fingerless gloves, I have not had them sign a release form.

***
That is because they are your minors and therefore you do not need this. This is for when people are using other people's children. And minors don't sign release forms, their parents do. In this case, you are the parent.

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Yes, I think actually you do not need a release if the person in the photo is not identifiable (i.e. it's their hands or it's from the back & it could be anybody). Here's an article (from istockphoto again) about *their* rules for when you do/do not need a release, but they are pretty good guidelines and at least give you something to think about. http://www.istockphoto.com/article_view.php?ID=648

[AVisionToRemember]

I would say that for hairbows it is almost a must. I like to see how they fit on their heads.

[Former_Member]

I'm probably going to be disowned by Etsy for saying this, but sometimes I wonder if the shop is trying to sell the product or the baby. My kids are adults and I have no grandkids (yet) but I like to see the product on its own without props, no matter how cute they are.

Definitely have release forms ready to sign stating in no uncertain terms that no compensation will be awarded for the picture, including free product. That will probably cut down on the number of people wanting their kids to be your model.