Wedding Photography Contract

Your wedding photography contract should list full names and contact information for both bride and groom and for your photographer.

The date, times and location(s) for your wedding and reception should be included in the body of your wedding photography contract. You may not have specific details such as timings for the various events of your wedding day, especially if you are booking your photographer well in advance. However your photographer should have a clear outline of when – the day and at least a start time – and where – the town if not the venues – they will be photographing you, at the time of confirming your booking. This way your photographer can plan travel times to – and if necessary between – your chosen wedding locations at the earliest opportunity, so there is no confusion at a later date.

The contract should outline the full details of your chosen wedding package. You may know how much time the photographer has agreed to spend with you but you should also know exactly what will result from that time together. Your contract should detail package specifics such as how many photographers and assistants will be present on your wedding day, the final number of photographs you will receive and how you will receive these – in an album, as loose prints, on DVD, etc – whether your pictures will carry a photographer’s logo and whether you have rights to reprint your pictures and to publish them anywhere you like. Ensure that full details of the package agreed with your photographer are listed on your contract. The more information the better so if you’re concerned about any aspect of your package in particular ask for details to be added to your contract. If it has been agreed between you and your photographer then it should be in your contract, laid out in black and white!

Most photographers have their own individual time scales for post production work on your wedding images and for printing, album production and final delivery to you. Be well aware of your chosen photographer’s time scales, which may also change dramatically during the wedding high season or holiday periods. Ensure your contract details final completion time scales, whether these time scales are set in stone and what will occur if these deadlines are not met.

Your photographer may reserve the right to exceed completion time scales, especially during busier periods and usually this is in order to give the proper time, attention and care to your final photographs and ensure the quality of their final product. This is not a bad thing, but if it is a possibility, be aware! Ensure your contract details this point, to avoid disappointment at a later date.

Your contract should detail the full amount payable for your chosen weddings services, ideally broken down by item. Most wedding photographers have a specific timeline for payment for their services.

Whatever your chosen photographer’s payment timeline make sure it is specified in your contract and make sure you read the small print in relation to payment terms and what may occur if you do not meet agreed payment dates. Some wedding photographers may book someone else for your wedding date if you do not pay on time. If your photographer has tailored a payment plan for you personally, in deference to their standard payment terms, ensure this is written into your contract.

Most wedding photographers require a confirmatory deposit payment at the time of booking which can vary between 10% and 50% of the full amount. Some photographers can require payment of the full amount at the time of booking.

In the event you must cancel your wedding booking or change the date of your wedding, you may, or may not, be entitled to a refund of all or a percentage of the amount paid. Ensure your contract details the terms under which you can cancel your booking, within which time periods and under which conditions you will receive a refund, and the amount that will be refunded. It’s worthy of note that in spite of their stated cancellation and refund terms, many photographers will, under certain circumstances, offer refunds or reduced cancellation fees, so if you do need, for whatever reason, to cancel your booking, don’t be afraid to ask, it can’t hurt!

Know what will happen in case your wedding photographer has an emergency or becomes ill at the time of your wedding. Will they provide – or if necessary hire – someone else to shoot in their place? Does your wedding photographer say that ill or not, they will absolutely be there? Does your photographer guarantee service and, do they guarantee the quality and style of service for which you chose them, if they cannot personally be there? Your wedding photography contract should contain a clause clearly stating your photographer’s specific terms or the alternatives they offer in case an emergency should arise.

Does your photographer reserve the right to cancel your photography booking? It may seem unthinkable and no professional wedding photographer should consider cancelling a booking unless a client does not keep to the terms of the contract, however it can happen. Ensure that your contract clearly states under which conditions your photographer reserves the right to cancel your booking and the applicable terms. Under what circumstances can your photographer cancel your booking? Within what time period prior to your wedding can they cancel? Will they refund all monies paid in the event of their cancelling your booking?

Copyright laws, and their application, are subject to differences between countries, and individual photographers. Explore the copyright laws for your chosen wedding destination then be sure of your photographer’s own practice and ensure this is stated in your photography contract.

Some photographers hold rigidly to copyright laws, retaining full official copyright for the purposes of advertising, promotions, and stock licensing. Most photographers grant clients permission to reproduce and distribute photographs, though some will only do so with their expressed written consent.

Many print laboratories will not reprint photographers’ images without express written permission for fear of legal action, so if you have concerns about copyright and future reprinting it is important that your photographer’s terms are clearly laid out in your contract and that you know, should you require their written permission for reprinting purposes, whether this will be provided.

Some photographers waive all rights and provide images to their clients to use freely according to their wishes. If you have been told this is the case with your chosen photographer’s work, make sure your contract states this clearly.

A wedding photography contract should have spaces for three signatures, the bride and groom and the photographer. Ensure you receive a copy of your contract signed by your photographer too.

Finally, it’s important to remember that a contract details the minimum responsibilities and commitments between your chosen photographer and you. Many wedding photographers go well beyond their stated terms and conditions in order to ensure the happiness and peace of mind of their clients. So, if you have any questions, concerns or requests, don’t be afraid to ask. Your wedding photography contract will give you peace of mind, and the right photographer for you will make you unbelievably happy by capturing and immortalizing wonderful memories of one of the most important days of your lives!