Photography Contracts Explained

You’re probably thinking, “Oh, no. This is gonna be long and boring.” and you’re probably feeling inclined to skip right over, but let me stop you from scrolling, because it’s a bridge you’re going to cross if you’re ever planning to hire a photographer at any point in your life.. So might as well know what you’re signing. 

​Let me preface this blog post by saying, when I first started my photography business I didn’t have a contract in place for a few years. I think I even thought by not having a contract I was more approachable. Can you believe? 

I’m not entirely sure what I was thinking. I would sometimes have random issues with certain clients and I wasn’t even sure why these things were happening. I guess you could say at the time, I was uneducated in the “let’s run a service-based business” aspect. But here’s the honest truth, any issues that I thought were the clients’ fault was actually my own. 

Let me repeat that. 

Any issues that *I thought* were the clients’ fault was *actually* my own.
Yes, my friends. By not having a contract in place where two parties could come to an agreement on, I was not only allowing issues to arise, but I was welcoming them with open arms. I didn’t educate and explain things clearly to my clients beforehand which caused a misinformation or miscommunication to occur. And after listening to numerous business podcasts, watching business related YouTube content and reading other photographer’s blogs I suddenly like, 

“DUH! I need a contract!”

So here I am several years into my business and telling you all about it.

What you need to know about photography contracts is this.

The contract your photographer is having you sign is not to be mean, “so strict”, or even intimidating. Contracts are one thing: an agreement.

You are signing an agreement about a variety of topics which I will break down below.

• Copyrights - Who owns the images that will be taken on your scheduled date? As the client, what are you allowed to do with the photos? Are you allowed to manipulate the photos in any way (spoiler alert to my contract, the answer is nope, sir).

• Date(s) and Time(s) - When and where are you scheduled to meet for your session? Are you doing multiple locations?

 

• Emergency Plan - Let’s say your photographer has an emergency, what’s the back-up plan?

 

• Cancelations - What now? Are there fees involved for cancelations (or rescheduling) in such short notice?

 

• Meals - (This one usually applies to event and wedding photographers who cover many hours of photography coverage.) Feeding your photographer is always a good thing.

 

• Model release - Most photographers include something of this nature to their contracts. This basically is an explanation that the photos taken are going to be used for marketing purposes and as the client you are made aware. (I mean, how else do you think other amazing people like you find us?)

 

• House Rules - This one is mostly in good faith. What to expect the photographer to do if they are mistreated, abused or feel threatened. 

• Payment - Who owes who what amount and when. 

• Deliverables - What does your photographer promise to provide in the agreement? How many hours of service, and products ordered?

This list is to give you an idea of the basic line items usually listed in a photographer’s contract. Remember that all photography contracts vary from one to the next (sometimes even within the same photographer depending on the type of photography they are providing).

So always read the contract. I know sometimes they are long, dry and kind of boring to read, but you always want to make sure you understand what you’re signing and if you don’t understand something, your photographer should be able to explain to you what any of it means. 

*Pro-Tip: Your photographer should always know what is written in the contract and if you ask them to explain it, they shouldn’t have any hesitation in answering. But also know that we take pride in the services and products we provide to each of our clients. 

Be sure to be on the lookout for a deeper dive into some of the topics listed in my photography contract. Trust me, you’re going to want to read it.