Can I create one of my own or do i have to hire a lawyer to write one up for me?
If I could create my own and it will still hold legally, what advise would you give me in creating one?
Things I should or shouldn't say, in example

There are many available just around here. I guess to answer your question I'd say if you're working with corporate or even agency models, I may think about having a lawyer write it. For everyday use, find one you like and adjust it to your needs / work flow/ business model.

Since I actually have a real need for one now, I'm currently in the process of creating mine from 2 others I have.

There is another option that will save you some money... potentially.

If you have some decent writing skills, then do a search for privacy/publicity laws in your state, check out a bunch of the model release forms that are available online and then write your own.

Once you've written it, hire an entertainment attorney to review it and correct it. As long as your grammar and spelling are not atrocious, you will use less of an attorney's time than if you were to have him/her write it for you.

But, if your English skills rival that of a teenager who learned to read and write from Twitter, then it may be quicker and cheaper to just have your attorney do everything.

Why not just download a standard one from an organization like ASMP?  Rather than doing it wrong, there are good ones already available on the net.

BTW, you are in New York.  Written consent is required in your state.  Oral consent is never permitted.

Just following up on what ei Total Productions said, the AMP release and tutorial can be found here:

http://asmp.org/tutorials/property-and- … eases.html

For microstock, I use Yuri Arcurs' Universal release.  Many of the stock companies also have release forms, but many include their company name, largely limiting other use.

Photo Attorney has another release I know many have used, but I haven't and don't have the link handy.

Thanks for all the answers. I'm currently working on one now
And thank you for the NY law heads up.