Photographing a party - do I need a release form?

[SlowShooter]

Hello, could you please help!

A friend asked me, as a favour (i.e., no money :-( ), to take pictures at her book launch party. It will be at her house, and she plans to use the pictures in her blog and perhaps future articles (about the book).

There will be various guests, including children. Does the host or I need to have the guests sign any forms in case they end up on the pictures?

Also, if you've done this, are there any "must" shots?

Thanks a lot!!

[Gordon_McGeachie]

I should imagine that you would only need a release form if you intend to use the images yourself and not if you give them all to your friend.

I may be wrong though

[Bettina]

No, you don't need releases - you would only need releases if you were to sell them in a commercial way eg people endorsing a product. People will clearly see that you're photographing and will probably ask you what for. Be honest about it. Personally, I wouldn't use the "party" pictures myself (to sell, that is) but you may want to use a picture of your friend posing with a book or see her signing one or having a glass of wine with her editor etc. I think using those pictures for yourself wouldn't really be a problem or using some for your own blog of facebook site.

I recently did a book launch thingy for a friend - he had already made a film about it and had invited the actors etc. Link to images

[SlowShooter]

Gordon and Bettina, thanks a lot!

Great pictures, and gave me some ideas of what I can suggest to my friend!

[IvorETower]

.....and if you are really lucky, before the launch, a shot of the queue of people lining up in expectation.....

[SlowShooter]

Thanks a lot to all! Did the shoot on the weekend, a few hours of shooting + double that at the PC for editing but the friend liked the pictures, so was worth it in the end!