Author Topic: Photography Contract (Read 520 times)

pretzston · « **on:** December 07, 2011, 11:28:26 AM »

With my wedding photography business starting to book some dates I realized I need to be thinking about a contact. What do you guys recommend for something like this? Something simple.

lisandra · « **Reply #1 on:** December 07, 2011, 01:58:53 PM »

Heres what mine looks like

-names
-phones
-emails
-address (directions)
-name/number/email of wedding coordinator if any
-date, time and place of ceremony
-place and time of reception
-place, time, date of wedding dinner (if included)
-place time, date of wedding rehearsal (if known)
-dress code
-value of contract/ deposit/ date of final payment
-prints (# and sizes if any)
-minimum amount of photos in dvd
-album size and pages
-notes

terms of contract (mine)
-people at the event (photographers)
-date of contract signing
-cooperation (the bride and groom agree to be posed in certain occasions in accordance to the style of the photographers)
-maximum amount of contact time*
- the wedding planner should be at the time when the contract is signed, and/or should be fully aware of the photographers plans of the shoot. If there is a photo session between ceremony and reception, time should be allotted in the wedding planners schedule
- the wedding planner is responsible for letting the photographer know of any changes in schedule in advance.
- the wedding planer is responsible for communicating wedding rehearsals dates/times to the photographer.
-house rules -the photographers are bound to the rules of the place in wich the ceremony/reception is being held. if by any reason the place has a rule which limits the photographer the best effort will be made to attain the results wanted, at no penalty to the photographer.
- the participation of other photographers will not be allowed, unless stipulated when signing the contract. This includes friends and family with DSLRs of other cameras; while it is perfectly acceptable for them to shoot, they should not be in the same area as the photographer or impede his function
-copyright; photos bought by clients are for personal use only and may not be reproduced without permission. The photographer has the right to use the photos as a showcase of his/her work. (if its kindly requested, this may be optional)
- exhibition. The photos might or will be displayed in x page (facebook, zenfolio, www.pretzston.com) for promotion (or proofing)
- limits of responsibility. If for some mayor force out of the hands of the photographer, accident or theft impedes the photographer to comply with the contract, said photographer will do his/her best to book a comparable replacement, at no extra cost to the client. Extra costs will be payed by the photographer.
Should the event be canceled for any reason, the clients will pay x% of the total cost, to cover for the loss of a date the photographer could have booked another job. However if the event date is moved by any reason, an additional fee of x (not much, if any) will be payed for the same reasons as above.
-estimated time of delivery. The cd/album/prints will be delivered in no less than x days and no more than x days.

signatures

lisandra · « **Reply #2 on:** December 07, 2011, 02:23:36 PM »

seems a bit much huh? youd be surprised at the amount of court cases having to do with photography

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #3 on:** December 07, 2011, 02:53:19 PM »

Not bad...
You may to include a exclusion for photos not having the exact same WB do to different lighting, developing limits, and WB that is purposely warmer for an effect...
It is better to cover ALL bases NOW, and not have problems later......

Here is a PDF of a Wedding Contract I made (With Place holders for Prices).

lisandra · « **Reply #4 on:** December 07, 2011, 07:45:46 PM »

I actually left the most important part out!!!
-whats included in the chosen package.

Usually its a home visit, ceremony, posed photo session (20-30 mins) and reception. Occasionally theres a trash the wedding dress session which are the funnest things in the world. Other add-ons are the love story/pre wedding shots and the wedding dinner.

cosinaphile · « **Reply #5 on:** December 07, 2011, 08:09:32 PM »

very informative , what is the avg time commitment in editing proofing post work and do you print yourself or have a lab do it ?

lisandra · « **Reply #6 on:** December 08, 2011, 03:24:16 PM »

Quote from: cosinaphile on December 07, 2011, 08:09:32 PM

very informative , what is the avg time commitment in editing proofing post work and do you print yourself or have a lab do it ?

I do post work on everything, so if the package is for a minimum 150 photos it could take me a couple of weeks to a month. If its a mega wedding with a minimum 300 photos things could go from a month to month and a half. That includes LR editing, photoshop editing and digital album assembly (which can be a real hassle). I have an epson large format printer (which attracts thousands of ants a week for some reason) and use it quite a bit. I use all sorts of paper from good ol glossy, to matte, metallic, pearl, and canvas. If its to big a job I do have acces to an even larger format epson and if its to custom a job I have a couple of labs I trust like mpix pro.

pretzston · « **Reply #7 on:** December 09, 2011, 06:42:24 PM »

So much info! I made something a little simpler for these first ones. Now lets just hope I get them signed! I will work on a more comprehensive list going forward. Let me take a minute to drink this all in!

lisandra · « **Reply #8 on:** December 09, 2011, 07:16:22 PM »

Mine is so long cause unfortunately things rarely go according to plan (acts of god, acts of wedding planners, acts of parents, you name it), especially in huge weddings, and when that happens brides (and planners) tend to get hysterical and ask for the moon. 2009 comes to mind, the priest insisted that no flash be used inside the church (with a high ceiling, no artificial light, at 6pm), so available light was all I had. At 2.8, ISO 3200, my shutter speed was barely 1/80 of a sec. The shots where good but not my usual looking stuff so the bride wanted a 50% off the price!!! Imagine if I didnt have the house rules clause!! If whats to be done is written in the contract when said stuff happens then theres no or minimal drama, thats whats gonna be done and thats it. There are also a lot of court cases involving the photographers, guess what the judge cares about? strictly what the contract says!

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #9 on:** December 09, 2011, 07:57:17 PM »

Cover your Ass!!

Have it in writing... Period.. You are offering a professional service. Treat your service as such... FROM THE BEGINNING!

And your clients will treat you as a professional also.... not a "Fly-by-Night" or a "Nice Guy with a Camera and Talent", that they can take advantage of.
And Many will, with a contract that lacks definition. Some will be professionals themselves, and will see a sub-par contract right off the bat.

Photography Contract