Model releases in SGH

How to attach a model release to your files for Adobe Stock, Shutterstock and Getty / iStock.

1The key idea: each agency keeps its own copy

The same signed release has to be available to each agency. Adobe and Shutterstock keep a library of your releases on their websites. Getty does not, so SGH keeps the document for Getty.

📄
A signed model releasefor example: Anna Silva, beach shoot

Adobe Stock

Upload it to Adobe once

On the Adobe Stock contributor website. SGH then lists the releases you have there.

Shutterstock

Upload it to Shutterstock once

On the Shutterstock contributor website. SGH then lists your active model releases there.

Getty / iStock

Import it into SGH once

In SGH's Release Manage tab (sections 2 and 3). SGH keeps the document and sends it to Getty with every upload.

Then, on each file, pick the release for each agency (section 4)

2Release Manage: one profile per person, one release per shoot

Create each person once. Every time they sign a release for a new shoot, import it into their profile.

WorkspaceHistoryAdvanced SearchScheduleRelease Manage1
Models 2+ Add model
Search models…
Ready · 2
ASAnna Silva2 releases · Aug 2026
BCBen Carter1 release · May 2026
Incomplete · 1
NMNew modelNo date of birth
Release Manager / Anna Silva 4Import existing release Delete
3Model
Anna Silva
1994-03-21
Female
Pick from Getty's list
Guardian

Leave empty for an adult model.

e.g. Mother
Portrait
(optional)
Open folder
Contact
5Signed releasesRefresh
Studio session2026-08-03 · Spainanna-silva_studio-session.pdfOpenCopy path
Beach shoot2026-05-12 · Spainanna-silva_beach-shoot.pdfOpenCopy path
1
Open the Release Manage tab

It is the last tab on the left side of SGH.

2
+ Add model

Creates a new profile. Models missing a required detail are listed under Incomplete, with what is missing.

3
Fill in the profile once

The full legal name and date of birth are required; the model then moves to Ready. Gender and ethnicity are sent to Getty with the release. Fill in a guardian if the model was under age. Everything saves automatically.

4
Import existing release

Adds a release this person has signed. See section 3.

5
Signed releases

One row per shoot. Open shows the document. These are the releases you can pick for Getty on each file.

3Import a signed release

Click Import existing release on the model's page. Do this once for every new shoot.

Import existing release

Bring a release Anna Silva has already signed into their profile. The file is copied — your original is left where it is.

Choose filebeach-shoot-signed.pdf
Beach shoot
2026-05-12
2026-05-12
Spain
4Terms *

Is this Getty's enhanced model release? The enhanced one permits use of the images to train machine-learning and AI models, and has the model waive rights over their biometric data. A release without those two clauses is a standard one.

Yes — Getty's enhanced releaseNo — a standard release
5 Still needed: whether this is Getty's enhanced release Cancel Import
1
Choose the signed document

PDF, JPG or PNG, up to 7 MB. SGH keeps its own copy; your original file stays where it is.

2
Purpose / description

A short name for the shoot, such as "Beach shoot". It becomes part of the release's file name, which helps you recognise it when you pick it on a file.

3
Shoot date

Required. The date signed and the shoot country are optional.

4
Enhanced or standard?

Required, with no default. Check the document: only an enhanced release has the AI-training and biometric clauses. Getty is told which one it is.

5
Import

The button turns on once everything required is filled in. Until then, SGH tells you what is still needed.

4On each file: tick, then pick

Select the file, open the metadata tab, and find the model release section.

OperatemetadataDetailsMS-Report
1✓Attach Model Release:
4⟳Manage Adobe release
2Anna Silva – beach ✕Type or pick a title
⟳Manage Shutter release
Anna Silva – beach ✕
⟳Manage release (Getty)
Anna Silva · Beach shoot ✕Ben Carter · Beach shoot ✕
1
Tick "Attach Model Release"

The release lists only load once it is ticked. The first load can take up to a minute, while the ⟳ icon spins. Untick it and SGH sends no release, but keeps your picks.

2
Pick a release in every agency row

Pick one release for each person in the shot. With two people, pick both, as in the Getty row. On Adobe you can also type a title, which must match the title on Adobe exactly.

3
Several files at once

Select the files and edit them together. Your choice replaces the releases on all of them.

4
⟳ reloads a list

For example, after you upload a new release to Adobe or Shutterstock, or import one in Release Manage.

5When the release is attached

It depends on the agency and on Settings → Submission → Auto Submit.

AgencyAuto Submit ONAuto Submit OFF
Adobe Stock✔ Attached✔ AttachedSGH attaches it while uploading the file.
Getty / iStock✔ Attached✔ AttachedSGH uploads the document and attaches it while uploading the file.
Shutterstock✔ Attached✖ You attach itWith Auto Submit OFF, attach the release on Shutterstock yourself before you submit.
If a release cannot be attached, SGH holds that file back: it is deleted from the agency's website and marked as failed in SGH, with the reason. Fix the release, then send the file again.

6If something looks wrong

Most problems come from the list not having loaded yet, or the release not being on the agency's website.

The Adobe or Shutterstock list is empty

Wait for it to load, then press ⟳. SGH only lists releases already on the agency's website. Adobe leaves out releases that are Hidden or Rejected. Shutterstock lists only active model releases.

Shutterstock says "Session expired"

Log in to Shutterstock again (Settings → Credentials → Test login session), then press ⟳.

A red "Missing: …" chip

That release is no longer on the agency's list, for example because it was deleted or hidden there. Remove the chip and pick another release.

A Getty release is greyed out

The reason is shown next to it. Usually the model profile in Release Manage needs more details.