Lawyer specializing in modeling law
Lawyer Specializing in Modeling Law – Contracts, Rights, and Protection for Models
Models often face legal challenges: unclear contract terms, unfair compensation, unauthorized use of their images, or a lack of transparency in agency contracts.
Our law firm, REHKATSCH RECHTSANWÄLTE, specializes in legal issues related to modeling law, particularly in the following areas:
Contract review: Fair terms in agency, advertising, and photography contracts
Image rights: Protection against unauthorized or exploitative use of photos and videos
Compensation issues: Enforcing fair payment, even for existing contracts
Powers of attorney & deal memos: Protection against hidden clauses and excessive assignment of rights
Artificial Intelligence & Deepfake Regulations: Legal certainty regarding AI-generated content
We represent models, influencers, and professional agencies throughout Germany—with legal certainty, clarity, and efficiency.
Legal Pitfalls for Models – How We Protect You
Many models reach out to us once the first conflicts have already arisen. These situations are particularly common:
Unclear or missing contracts
Many shoots or collaborations take place without legally binding agreements—a major risk for models.No payment or delayed payment
Especially in influencer collaborations or with international clients, there is often no enforceable claim to payment.Unauthorized use of images & videos
Photos are published, sold, or used in AI-generated advertising materials without consent—often without compensation.Agencies with hidden clauses
Some contracts contain far-reaching powers of attorney or blanket usage rights that can harm models in the long term.Lack of clarity regarding digital rights
Who is allowed to post, use, or edit what? Transparency is often lacking here—especially regarding use on social media and in AI applications.
We help you understand your rights—and enforce them.
New: The “Fashion Workers Act” – Legal protections for models in New York starting in 2025
Model Law 2025: New York’s Fashion Workers Act sets new standards for agencies and models.
Clearer contracts, fair compensation, protection against AI deepfakes—find out now what’s changing in modeling law.
👉 Required reading for all industry professionals in the field of modeling and fashion law.
What our clients say
FAQs on Copyright
The photographer is the creator of the image and holds the copyright to it. At the same time, the model has what is known as the “right to one’s own image.” This means that even though the photographer took the picture, it may only be published or distributed with the model’s consent. Both parties therefore need clear contractual provisions—for example, through a model release agreement.
The photographer holds the copyright to an image—he or she has the right to decide how it is used. At the same time, the person depicted (e.g., a model) has the right to their own image. This means that even though the photographer is the copyright holder, the image may not be published or distributed without the consent of the person depicted. Both rights must be respected—ideally through a written contract.
The right to one's own image generally applies in all cases, but there are exceptions (Section 23 of the German Art Copyright Act). Consent is not required if:
the person is merely a background element next to a landscape or other location,
the persons depicted are figures of contemporary history (e.g., prominent public figures),
the image was taken at public gatherings, parades, or similar events,
the image serves a higher interest of art or journalism.
Nevertheless, the following applies: As soon as the legitimate interests of the person depicted are infringed, publication is also prohibited in these cases.
A TFP agreement (“Time for Prints” or “Time for Pictures”) is a written contract between a photographer and a model in which no payment is made. Instead of money, both parties receive the resulting photos for their own use, e.g., for a portfolio, social media, or a website.
Important: Even for a TFP shoot, it should be clearly stipulated
for what purpose and for how long the images may be used,
whether attribution is required,
and whether publication by third parties is permitted.
A TFP contract provides legal protection for both parties—especially if disagreements arise later on.