Do I need model releases to photograph restaurant customers for a UK website and social media?
Asked 4/22/2021
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I’ve been hired to photograph a restaurant in London, including interiors, food, and some busy-service shots with customers visible. We plan to put up notices on the day and only photograph people after politely asking them first; anyone who objects won’t be photographed. The images are intended for the restaurant’s website, gallery, and social media, not a major ad campaign.
In the UK, is verbal consent plus signage generally enough for this kind of use, or should we still get signed model releases from customers? If someone later objects to appearing online, is removing the image usually the practical response? I’d also welcome advice from anyone with experience shooting restaurants, bars, or similar venues.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
5y ago
2 Answers
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I am not a lawyer. I recommend hiring one. It is a cost of doing business. Client fees should cover both overhead and profits.
In terms of interior photographs of a restaurant, the simple solution is to hire people to pose as patrons using ordinary casting methods and standard model releases as recommended by your lawyer.
Doing so will avoid misunderstandings between the people in the photographs, the business owners, and the photographer. Free legal advice is often worth less than you paid for it.
Originally by user95237. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user95237
5y ago
0
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In the UK, signed model releases are generally not a routine legal requirement for this kind of restaurant photography. Based on the answers, verbal permission plus clear signage, and not photographing anyone who objects, is a sensible practical approach.
The main caution is that consent to be photographed is not exactly the same as consent for every possible use of the image. Website and social use may be seen as marketing, so the safest route is still to get proper legal advice if the images are important commercially.
A key risk mentioned is misrepresentation of endorsement (“passing off”), though that is usually more relevant if a person has significant reputation or goodwill.
If you want the lowest-risk workflow, use hired models/extras with standard releases. That avoids later disputes.
If you proceed with real patrons, signage and asking first are helpful, but if someone later objects, taking the image down is a practical response—not a guarantee of legal protection. For anything business-critical, consult a UK lawyer rather than relying on informal advice.
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