just some points on what you need to include in your wedding contract.
- Specifics - At a minimum, your contract should include the specifics of the transaction. Including parties names, photographer name, monetary exchange, promised product to be given in exchange for the funds. *If someone is a minor you must have their parent/guardian sign the document or else the contract is null*
- Cancellation Policy - This policy works to protect yourself/time and inform your clients ahead of time of their options if they need to cancel. Informing someone of this policy after the fact can lead to a bad taste in their mouth and we don’t want to mess with word of mouth marketing!
- Late Policy - Same with cancellation, let clients know your late policy. There’s no right or wrong policy. Just be consistent!
- Expectations - Outline all expectations including: turn around time, guarantee of quality of product, how/when products will be delivered, how long they have to order, etc.
- Do not edit/reproduce -This section can probably go under the “copyright” section, however, I find it important in today’s technology age to break it out to emphasize importance. Everyone has editing programs at their fingers tips…even changing a facebook profile picture and using the crop tool constitutes editing of the photograph as it is compromising the integrity of the photograph as the artist intended it. Many clients confuse copyright/print release (see below) and may honestly (or dishonestly) believe they have the right to edit their photographs because they are in them. Maintaining copyright ownership and explicitly spelling this out you will be working to preventively nix any potential issues in the bud. Further, outlining that scanning of a photograph also violates copyright law may prevent this situation.
- Copyright - This clause can release the copyright from the photographer to the client. If you transfer the copyright by contract, the photograph no longer belongs to the Photographer. In fact, in these cases the Photographer can technically never use the photographs without permission of client! It is important to ensure there is a provision to protect your artistic property and keep your copyright intact.
- Model Release - This is a legal release that is signed by the subject (or parent/guardian) of a photograph granting permission to publish the photograph in one form or another, typically for marketing and portfolio materials. *Especially true for minors*
- Substitute Photographer (Mostly applicable for wedding photographers) - This clause is imperative because life happens! You want to be able to have a second or substitute shooter take your place in the event of an emergency. I personally emphasize this to my brides.
