Knowledge Base
Model and Property Releases
Legally speaking, Model Releases are required for all images that contain "recognizable" people.
Practically speaking, lots of clients won't touch an image with a person in it, recognizable or not, unless it's released. Your goal should be to have a releases for any people in your shot.
Property Releases are needed for all images that contain recognizable private property. Generic, unrecognizable interiors are fine without a property release. Private properties in the distance or properties that are not singled out in the composition are ok un-released. For ex; Images of a suburban block that include multiple dwellings are ok without. Images of a family in front of a single house would require model releases and a property release.
All artwork, AI generative works, tattoos and graffiti require Property Releases or need to be removed before submitting final imagery.
For additional information on unique requirements for AI generative works check out our guidelines here.
More in Submitting
Technical Requirements for Motion
Filmmakers should deliver final clips with simple, good-looking color correction. This would mostly be contrast and basic color. Clients usually want to add their own look.
No Audio
Format
Our preferred file format is QuickTime .mov, but we also accept .mp4
Clip lengths are around 5-60 seconds
Codecs
If shooting RAW/uncompressed footage you should deliver .mov files with prores(4444) codec.
Otherwise, we support unmodified camera-native codecs, Apple ProRes, H.264(MPEG-4/AVC), H.265(HEVC)
Resolution
We'd like the highest native resolution you have, 4K and up are best - Our minimum is HD 1080p (1920x1080)
Frame rates
Supported frame rates are 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p, 50p, 59.94p, 60p
Technical Requirements for Stills
File size must be a minimum of 3500px on the short side. Native file sizes that are larger are fine and encouraged, don't shrink them. You can res-up an image to meet the minimum requirements, but do this sparingly and with care - Make sure to maintain a high quality file.
Images should be saved as level 12 jpgs, 8bit, sRGB color space.
Here are some mistakes to avoid:
- Lack of critical focus
- Don't sharpen your files in any noticeable way. Best to not do it at all.
- Clean your sensor - No dust please
- No digital artifacts, color banding, color blocking and excessive noise
- Really grainy stuff will be rejected
Model and Property Releases
Legally speaking, Model Releases are required for all images that contain "recognizable" people.
Practically speaking, lots of clients won't touch an image with a person in it, recognizable or not, unless it's released. Your goal should be to have a releases for any people in your shot.
Property Releases are needed for all images that contain recognizable private property. Generic, unrecognizable interiors are fine without a property release. Private properties in the distance or properties that are not singled out in the composition are ok un-released. For ex; Images of a suburban block that include multiple dwellings are ok without. Images of a family in front of a single house would require model releases and a property release.
All artwork, AI generative works, tattoos and graffiti require Property Releases or need to be removed before submitting final imagery.
For additional information on unique requirements for AI generative works check out our guidelines here.
Can I submit mobile imagery?
Yes, we accept iPhone 11 and up, or equivalent phone.
Make sure to meet our minimum file size standards of 3500px on the short side.
Mobile imagery must meet the same technical standards as the rest of our content so only submit technically viable content.
Commercial & Editorial Content - What's the Difference?
Any content that has unreleased people or property, or IP (Intellectual Property), logos, branding, license plates, publications, or original artwork (including graffiti), must be marked "Editorial Only" during the submission process.
Keep in mind - Commercial content is the key to a valuable portfolio. Big commercial clients generally avoid unreleased, editorial content. So, get those releases and avoid, or retouch, the intellectual property and branding. Here’s our Model release - Property release
What's Similar content?
Similar Content is legally defined as content "industry experts" would say looks similar. What the heck does that mean?... We know, it's a little vague... Here's how we see it - If it's the same shoot, same model, in the same clothes - it's probably similar. If it's the same subject matter but the composition is different, it's probably still considered similar. If it's the same day, same model, different clothes, in a new location, you're probably good to go. Basically, use your best judgment and mix it up if you want lots of unique content. Reach out to us anytime if you are unsure about a specific case.
AI Generative Content Guidelines
Overview
Cavan does accept AI-generated content, as long as it meets our quality, legal, and technical standards.
By submitting AI-generated content you warrant you have the rights to resell and license the content for commercial purposes. It's your responsibility to review the terms of generative AI tools you use, to confirm this is true before you submit any AI-generated content.
Upload all Generative AI content and check the "Created with Generative AI tools" box before submitting your curated assets from each project.
Requirements
- Click the
Created with Generative AI toolscheckbox prior to submitting your content. - Title should include the words "Generative AI"
- Keywords should also include Generative AI, AI,
- Include the main subject of your prompt in your title.
- Create work that fills content needs within the collection. Carefully select only images which provide unique value to the collection.
- Prioritize creativity and maintain high quality.
- Check your submissions carefully to make sure the rendering of anatomy and other aspects is intended and relevant.
Things Not to Do
- Don't submit works depicting identifiable property, people, or branding (e.g., Known buildings, characters or logos), or notable people, photorealistic or otherwise.
- Don't use an image you don't have the rights to as a parameter for your generative AI prompts.
- Don't iterate or generate from other people's AI works. Start from your own unique prompts.
- Don't tag generated images with inaccurate or vague descriptors such as "3D render", "wallpaper", or "neural network" unless accurate to the content subject or style.
- Don't describe or depict subjects or locations in ways that may mislead buyers.
- Don't describe AI-generated content as depicting real people or places.
- Don't keep repetitive, technical parameters such as platform-specific features, weights, or settings from your prompt in your asset title.
- Don't spam the submission with multiple variations of the same prompt. Submit no more than 10-12 variations of a particular output. AI outputs are infinite. Part of the art of using AI is curating the results.
Model & Property Release Requirements for Generative AI Content Depicting People
Any content created with generative AI tools that depicts, is based on, or is intended to portray an identifiable person requires a model release. For example, if you upload a photo of a real person as a prompt, name a specific individual in the prompt, or include prompt keywords intended to instruct the generative AI tool to draw a real person.
If the generative AI content was not based on a real person, but it visually appears to resemble a person, then you must submit a property release confirming that you have all property rights in the content.
You may submit the same release for content created for the same project or within the same series, which includes works with the same model or similar themes created on or about the same date.
Generative AI content cannot be submitted as Editorial Content which is for editorial use only
- Do Upload property releases for illustrations depicting generated people. Learn more about property releases.
- Don't Submit works based on real people unless you have a valid model release for that person. Learn more about model releases.
- Don't: Submit work created with prompts referring to people, places, or property unless you have the legal right to do so (e.g., via a model or property release). For example, don't include other artists' names, notable people, or famous characters/brands in your prompts.