Wedding Photography contract Template, Photographer’s Must-Know-List : Photo Concept

Wedding Photography contract, Photographer’s Must-Know-List

Posted by admin on June 25, 2010 in The Photography Business · 0 Comment

Photographer check list before entering into a wedding photography contract

Wedding photography contract Sample/Template

Before signing and or entering into an agreement for wedding photography service, there are few points must be taken into consideration. There are many many many wedding photography contracts templates and samples floating around the internet. Care must be taken before using any of these samples. Wedding photography client almost customarily involves a client that is a novice in purchasing photography service. This situation requires the photographer to explain clearly his or her business practices. A carefully drafted contract is vital to educate the client and eliminate any questions that might transpire later.

The wedding photography contract must address many business issues and predict future scenarios and anticipate any developed disputes.

Check list of things to consider:

1- Who is the client? Simple but especially essential question that goes unnoticed by the novice wedding photographer. Is it the bride, the groom, the mother of the groom, grooms parents, both the bride and groom? A dispute between the bride and groom or their families will entangle your business and your ability to collect your finale payments or any payments at all. Now you see the significant of this question! It’s crucial to make sure whoever signs the contract understands he is responsible for payment regardless of “who is who”? or aunt Mary promised to pay for the photography service and now she changed her mind.

2- If the bride and groom are minors??Need an adult to sign the contract and that adult must be fully aware of the commitment he or she is making and re-emphasize item one above.

3- The “FEE” and the services it covers must be noted and clear in the contract. If it’s a package, the details of the package must be attached and all the details of what’s included and cost must be clear and included in the attachment. Alternatively if it’s just a fee to cover the cost of a sitting session but not prints, then a standard price list should be specified and attached.

4- Extra Charges: Any anticipated extra charges such as second sitting, digital retouching, excessive driving etc.. Must be included in the contract.

5- The Deposit; 50% of the total fee is a good practice. The Balance can be paid at the wedding or when the orders are filled. I used to get paid in full two weeks before the wedding date, not very common but that was my own policy and I modified my contract accordingly.

6- Cancellation Date, 30 days is common and entitles the client a full refund unless the photographer has already uncured some expense such as engagement photos or pre wedding sitting. Don’t be a bull head and consider the circumstances that resulted in cancellation, if it a break up in the relationship or death in the family you might want to consider a full refund to build good will with the client and their community. I’ve had brides sobbing on the phone as they are cancelling the wedding, it’s not all about money; a little compassion goes a long way for your future business and reputation.

7- Copy rights issues are beyond the scope of this article. It so complex, I don’t claim any authority in that field, but make sure you specify that the photographer owns all photographic materials, including proofs, previews, negative (negative!!! What’s that) or digital file.

8- Discuss the list of photos the photographer is expected to shoot at the wedding. To avoid any dispute about why I did not take a picture of drunken Uncle Floyd with bride and groom who refuse to get his picture taken, I never give the client the list, as circumstance vary from family to family, this is a common list of pictures.

9- You are the exclusive photographer and require the bridal party to ask friends and family who may be shooting not interfere with your work. Don’t be a stickler or give the perception of being greedy, weddings are usually a happy occasion, people are dressed up and they like to take pictures, remember “good will with community”.

10- The Photographer needs protection in the event he or she were prevented from preforming their job such as a pain in the neck banquet hall owner that would not allow you to setup any where or camera malfunctions or other acts of God such as a major storm that prevented the party from taking pictures in their favorite park etc…

11- If the formal photo is to be published in the local paper, the photographer may want credit with the photo. “free advertisement never hurts”

12- Finally have a lawyer prove this contract, preferably a local attorney that is familiar with local and state law where you are conducting your business.

For $6.99 You can purchase this wedding photography contract template. It includes a pdf file and a text file that you can use and modify as you see fit to satisfy your local needs and business condition it includes a comprehensive list of all the above list . Remember a contract on napkin is still a contract it’s just a matter of convincing the judge! so please have an attorney approve it. Once you check out you will receive an email with a link to download the file.

Wedding Photography Contract

This wedding photography contract template includes a pdf file and a text file that you can use and modify as you see fit to satisfy your local needs and business condition it includes a comprehensive list of all the above list . Remember a contract on napkin is still a contract it’s just a matter of convincing the judge! so please have an attorney approve it.