Wedding photography agreement
This agreement is between [photographer or business name] and [client name(s)].
1. The service
[photographer or business name] (the "Photographer") will provide wedding photography for [client name(s)] (the "Client") on [date of the shoot] at [location], for up to 8 hours of coverage.
2. Fees and payment
The total fee is [total fee]. The balance after the retainer is due 14 days before the shoot.
Images are delivered once the fee has been paid in full.
3. Retainer
A retainer of 30% of the total fee is due when this agreement is signed and holds the date. The date is not reserved until the signed agreement and retainer are received.
The retainer is non-refundable, because the Photographer turns away other work for the date. It counts towards the total fee.
4. Cancellation and rescheduling
If the Client cancels, the retainer is kept by the Photographer to cover the date held and work already done, and no further payment is due. Any amount paid beyond the retainer is refunded.
If the Client needs to move the date, the Photographer will try to accommodate it and the payments made carry over to the new date, subject to availability. If the Photographer cannot do the new date, it is treated as a cancellation by the Client.
If the Photographer has to cancel, all payments made are refunded in full, and the Photographer will try to recommend a replacement.
5. The Client's part
The Client will share a timeline and a list of key people or must-have shots before the day, and make sure the Photographer has access to the venue and permission to photograph there. The Photographer is not responsible for photos missed because of venue rules, timing changes or guests blocking the view.
6. Editing and creative style
The Client books the Photographer for their style. The Photographer chooses which images to edit and deliver, and edits them in that style. Extra retouching beyond normal editing can be quoted separately.
Unedited (RAW) files are not part of the delivery.
7. Delivery
The Photographer will deliver the edited images through an online gallery within 6 weeks of the shoot.
The online gallery stays available for at least 6 months after delivery. The Client should download and keep their own copies; after that period the Photographer does not promise to keep the files.
8. Copyright and licence
The Photographer owns the copyright in all images.
The Client receives a personal licence to use the delivered images: to print, share with family and friends, and post on personal social media. The Client may not sell the images or use them commercially without the Photographer's written permission.
When images are posted online, the Client is asked to credit the Photographer where practical, and not to edit them or apply filters that change the Photographer's work.
9. Portfolio and marketing use
The Photographer may use the images for their own portfolio, website, social media and marketing. If the Client prefers that some or all images are not used, they can say so in writing before the shoot and the Photographer will respect it.
10. Limit of liability
The Photographer uses professional equipment and backs up the images. If, despite that, images are lost or damaged, or the Photographer cannot attend because of illness, injury or an emergency, the Photographer's total liability is limited to refunding the amounts the Client has paid.
11. Events outside anyone's control
Neither side is responsible for failing to perform because of events outside their reasonable control, such as severe weather, natural disasters, government restrictions or venue closure. In that case both sides will first try to agree a new date.
12. The whole agreement
This document is the whole agreement between the Photographer and the Client and replaces anything agreed before. Changes must be in writing and agreed by both. It is governed by the laws of the place where the Photographer is based.
Photographer
[name]
Signature and date
Client
[name]
Signature and date
A starting point, not legal advice. Laws differ by country and state; have a local lawyer review it before you rely on it.