When students are photo/video models

U. of I. students are asked to sign Talent Release Forms when they are the subject of photos or videos recorded by professionals working for the campus. These release forms give us permission to use your image to promote the campus and its units.

It’s not always possible to have release forms signed. For instance, if you are included in a photo/video of a crowd of people walking across the Quad, the photographer/videographer couldn’t possibly get a signed release from everyone in a wide shot.

However, when you are the subject clearly identifiable in the foreground of the photo/video (that is, the main focal point of the photo/video), the university photographer/videographer will endeavor to get a signed release.

Here is the text of the release.

Our pledge to you:

• We will pull your images from future usage (remove it from the campus-accessible image library) upon request. However, we have limited ability to pull your images from past uses.
• We do not assume your race, gender, sexual orientation or cultural heritage, and we regularly advise and educate users of the Illinois Image/Video Databases not to do that.
• We do not make any assumption based on context, and we regularly advise and educate users of the Illinois Image/Video Databases not to make those assumptions. For example, attendance at a Japan House event should never lead to an assumption that any individual is Japanese or Asian.
• Student images will be culled from the accessible Illinois Image Database after seven years.

Improper use of your image

If at any time you see a use of your image that causes concern, contact us at photography@illinois.edu or call Todd Wilson at (217) 333-4059. We take your concerns seriously!

How to amend your permission

At any time, you may amend your permission for your image to be used in future campus promotional/marketing materials by contacting photography@illinois.edu. We will pull the image from the accessible section of the Image Database, so that it will not be used in future materials.

Caveats

While the above policies apply to photographers/videographers working for the university and its units, not all photographers/videographers recording on and around campus are affiliated with the university. If you are in a public space (outdoors in campus common areas, on streets and retail areas around campus, or in large public venues such as sports arenas) understand that you are susceptible to having your image recorded by media and the public. Photographers/videographers working for the university are trained to get signed releases from anyone who is the subject of their photos. Journalists and other non-affiliated photographers/videographers may not be held to those standards.