PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRACT — PORTRAIT AND COMMERCIAL SESSIONS ======================================================= Disclaimer — not legal advice. This template is provided free of charge, as is and with no warranty of any kind, and using it creates no attorney-client relationship. It is jurisdiction-neutral: you are responsible for adapting it, for your own legal and tax compliance, and for having a qualified professional in your jurisdiction review it before you rely on it. Full terms: https://trycolo.co/terms-of-use This Photography Contract ("Agreement") is made on [EFFECTIVE DATE] between: Photographer: [YOUR NAME / STUDIO NAME], of [YOUR ADDRESS], email [YOUR EMAIL] (the "Photographer") Client: [CLIENT NAME / COMPANY], of [CLIENT ADDRESS], email [CLIENT EMAIL] (the "Client") ------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Session details ------------------ Item | Detail --------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Session type | [FAMILY PORTRAIT / HEADSHOTS / PERSONAL BRAND / PRODUCT / INTERIORS / OTHER] Date | [SESSION DATE] Start time and length | [START TIME], [NUMBER] hours Location | [STUDIO ADDRESS / ON LOCATION ADDRESS] Subjects | [NUMBER OF PEOPLE / NUMBER OF PRODUCTS] Looks / setups | [NUMBER OF OUTFIT CHANGES OR SETUPS] Rain or backup date | [BACKUP DATE, IF OUTDOOR] 1.1 The session starts at the time above. If the Client arrives late, the session still ends at the scheduled time unless the Photographer agrees to extend it at [CURRENCY] [RATE] per additional [30 MINUTES / HOUR]. 1.2 For commercial shoots, the Client will confirm the shot list by [DATE]. Shots added on the day are taken if time allows. 2. Deliverables --------------- 2.1 The Photographer will deliver a minimum of [NUMBER] edited images, selected by the Photographer, via [ONLINE GALLERY / DOWNLOAD LINK] within [NUMBER] business days of the session. 2.2 Format: high-resolution JPEG, [sRGB / Adobe RGB], [LONG EDGE IN PIXELS]. Web-sized versions [INCLUDED / NOT INCLUDED]. 2.3 RAW files are not delivered. [OR: RAW files are available for [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] and are supplied unedited.] 2.4 Additional images beyond the minimum are available at [CURRENCY] [PRICE PER IMAGE]. 2.5 The online gallery stays available for [NUMBER] days. The Photographer keeps an archive for [12] months but does not guarantee long-term storage. 3. Editing ---------- 3.1 Standard editing (included): color and exposure correction, cropping, and removal of minor temporary blemishes, in the Photographer's editing style as shown in the portfolio. 3.2 Advanced retouching (add-on, per image): skin smoothing beyond standard, body or shape alterations, head swaps, composites, background replacement, product clipping paths. Price: [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] per image. 3.3 The Client may request [1] round of minor adjustments on delivered images within [7] days of delivery. Changes to the editing style itself are not included. 4. Fees and payment ------------------- Item | Amount -------------------------------------------------- | ------------------- Session fee | [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] Image package ([NUMBER] images) | [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] Usage license (see clause 5) | [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] Expenses: [STUDIO HIRE / PROPS / STYLIST / TRAVEL] | [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] Total | [CURRENCY] [TOTAL] 4.1 Retainer. A non-refundable retainer of [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] ([25–50]%) is due on signature and secures the date. The date is not reserved until the retainer is received. 4.2 Balance. The balance is due [BEFORE THE SESSION / ON DELIVERY / NET 14 DAYS AFTER DELIVERY]. Images are released once the balance is paid. 4.3 Late payment. Overdue amounts carry interest at [LATE PAYMENT INTEREST RATE] or the maximum allowed by applicable law if lower. 4.4 Taxes ([VAT / GST / SALES TAX]) are added where applicable. 5. Copyright and usage license ------------------------------ 5.1 The Photographer owns the copyright in all images. 5.2 Choose the license that applies and delete the others. (a) Personal use license (portraits). The Client may print the images and share them on personal social media and personal websites. Commercial use, resale, contest entries, and editing or applying filters that alter the image are not permitted without written consent. (b) Professional profile license (headshots). As (a), plus use on the Client's company website, professional profiles, speaker bios, and press materials. (c) Commercial license. The Client may use the images for [MEDIA — e.g. website, organic social, email, print brochures, paid advertising, packaging] in [TERRITORY] for [TERM — e.g. 2 years from delivery]. Use outside this scope requires a license extension at [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] or as quoted. 5.3 The license begins only when the full balance is paid. 5.4 The Client will credit the Photographer as "[CREDIT LINE]" where credits are practical. 5.5 The Photographer may use the images in portfolios, social media, and competitions [UNLESS THE CLIENT OPTS OUT BY INITIALING HERE]: ____________ [and, for commercial work, only after the Client's public launch date of [DATE]]. 6. Releases and permissions --------------------------- 6.1 For commercial use of identifiable people, the Client will ensure each person signs a model release before the session. [THE PHOTOGRAPHER WILL SUPPLY A RELEASE FORM / THE CLIENT USES ITS OWN.] 6.2 For minors, a parent or guardian must sign the release and be present. 6.3 The Client is responsible for permission to shoot at any location it chooses, including private property, and for any permit fees. 6.4 The Client warrants it has the right to use any products, artwork, or trademarks it asks to be photographed. 7. Reschedules and cancellations -------------------------------- 7.1 Client reschedule. The Client may reschedule once with at least [72] hours' notice; the retainer moves to the new date, which must be within [90] days. Further reschedules require a new retainer. 7.2 Weather. For outdoor sessions, the Photographer may call a weather reschedule up to [24] hours before. The retainer moves to the backup date at no charge. 7.3 Client cancellation. If the Client cancels, the retainer is forfeited. Cancellation within [48] hours of the session, or a no-show, is charged at [50–100]% of the session fee. 7.4 Photographer cancellation. If the Photographer cannot attend due to illness or emergency, the Photographer will offer a new date or a full refund of all amounts paid. The Photographer's liability is limited to that refund. 8. Liability ------------ 8.1 The Photographer uses professional equipment and backs up files after the session. If images are lost or damaged through equipment failure or events outside the Photographer's control, liability is limited to a reshoot or a refund of amounts paid. 8.2 The Photographer is not responsible for shots missed because of the Client's lateness, location restrictions, or subjects declining to be photographed. 8.3 The Client is responsible for the safety of its premises and any products supplied for photography. 9. General ---------- 9.1 Governing law: [GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION]. 9.2 Entire agreement: this Agreement and any accepted proposal or quote form the whole agreement. Changes must be in writing. 9.3 E-signature: this Agreement may be signed electronically. ------------------------------------------------------------ Signatures ---------- Photographer | Client --------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- Signature: ____________________________ | Signature: ____________________________ Name: [YOUR NAME] | Name: [CLIENT NAME] Date: [DATE] | Date: [DATE] ------------------------------------------------------------ How to use this template 1. Choose one license in clause 5.2 and delete the others. 2. Set the minimum image count and delivery time you can reliably meet. 3. List add-on retouching prices so requests have a price before they arrive. 4. For commercial shoots, send the model release with the contract. 5. Have a lawyer in your jurisdiction review your filled-in version once before reuse. Template provided by Colo (trycolo.co). Not legal advice — review with a qualified professional in your jurisdiction.