Ah. I’ve had this trouble, too… I tend to post somewhere asking for models (this is easier if you’re a student because you have a University Center or can flyer the dorms etc.) or I ask my friends to model for me. I might try using something like craig’s list if I really needed something specific. If you’re a photographer, amateur models will probably let you use them for free if you’re willing to give them copies of your work – this has worked for me in the past. Ok, I’m assuming you’re a photographer for this next paragraph, because it’s all I know. :) Model releases are definitely necessary to protect yourself legally if you’re planning to do anything with the photos, even just put them on your web site. (I don’t ask my friends to sign a model release, but I know that really, I should!) There are never any “terms” I guess, although I always describe the project and make sure the person knows what it entails before they agree to let me shoot them. This only goes for studio shots – if someone is out in public, you’re allowed to photograph them and use the image in whatever way you want. You might get yelled at though. :)