Wedding photography agreement

Wedding Photography Agreement

• The Parties: [Client Name] (“You”) & Charlie Hannah ARPS (“Me”)
• Date: [Date]
• The Gig: Wedding on [Date] at [Venue/Address]
• What I’m Doing: [Insert hours, second shooter info, digital gallery specs, etc.]

1. The money bit

• Total Price: £[XXXX] (covers everything, including tax and travel up to 50 miles from my base).
• The Deposit: £[XXXX], due when you sign. Non-refundable because it locks me in and turns down other work, but it comes off your final balance.
• The Rest: £[XXXX], due by [Final Due Date].
• Overtime: If you want me to stay past our agreed time, it’s £[XXXX] an hour.
• Pay on time, or there’s a [X%] monthly late fee. No farting about.

2. On the Day & Travel

• Travel: Travel within a 50-mile radius of my home base is included. Any distance beyond that is billed in line with official HMRC mileage rates (currently 55p per mile for the first 10,000 miles, dropping to 25p per mile thereafter).
• Accommodation: If the venue is over a two-hour drive from home, I will require overnight accommodation close to the venue to be covered by you.
• Scran: I require a meal provided by the venue/catering on the day. I am diabetic, so it doesn’t need to be the same as the wedding party, but something warm is genuinely appreciated to keep the engine running. Since many venues don’t allow vendors to purchase food on-site and leaving the grounds risks missing crucial moments, this must be pre-arranged with the venue or caterers.
• The Venue: Make sure the place allows photography and that the rules are sorted before I get there.

3. Behaviour, Abuse & Zero Tolerance

• I operate a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding abuse: Any verbal, physical, or threatening abuse directed toward me, my second shooter, or any member of my team by you, your wedding party, or your guests will result in an immediate warning. If the behaviour continues, my team or I reserve the right to pack up and leave the event immediately. In such cases, the contract is terminated on the spot, and no monies will be refunded. Life’s too short to take grief while trying to do an honest day’s graft.

4. Group Shots & Herding Sheep

• I am not responsible for rounding up your guests for the group shots: I’m a photographer, not a shepherd; I suggest you appoint a guest with the biggest mouth and a good set of lungs to round people up according to your shot list. If your guests wander off to the bar and miss the formal shots, it’s not my problem.

5. Videographers & Other Media

• I am perfectly fine working alongside a videographer: Provided we can all do our jobs. However, they must not take over, block shots, or compromise the photography element of the day. You are responsible for ensuring your chosen videographer respects my space and timing; if they disrupt the photography workflow to the detriment of the final images, that is between you and them—it doesn’t change my delivery or terms.

6. The Look & Style

• You’ve looked at my portfolio: You know my style, and that’s why you booked me.
• I have final say on how the shots look and get edited: I am a photographer, not a content factory. If you end up deciding you wanted something completely different artistically, that’s tough—it doesn’t mean a refund or tearing up the contract. You trust my eye and years of hard graft to gain the experience.

7. Image Delivery & Storage

• The Turnaround: I will deliver your final edited digital gallery within 6 to 8 weeks (longer during peak wedding season) of the wedding date. Good work takes time, so don’t pester me for previews five minutes after you get back from honeymoon. (Every hour of photography requires 9 hours of processing).
• The Gallery Window: Your online gallery will remain active and hosted for [X months] from the date it is sent.
• Backups Are On You: Once you get your digital files, download them immediately and back them up in multiple places. I archive files after [X months/years], but I am not your personal hard drive. If you lose your files a year down the line because you only saved them to a dying iPhone, that’s on you.
• RAW Files: Don’t even think about asking for the RAW files, they are no good to you. I will refuse any request for the RAW files; they are mine and I will not be polite if pestered for them. Asking for RAW files is like asking a chef for the vegetable peelings—you’re paying for the finished meal, not the raw ingredients.

8. Cancelling or Messing with Dates

• If You Cancel: Let me know in writing at least [X days] before. Deposit stays with me. If you pull out last minute, you’re still footing the bill unless we sort something else out.
• Rescheduling: I’ll do my absolute best to shift dates if you need to, but if I’m already booked on your new date, that counts as a cancellation.
• If I Kick the Bucket: If I shuffle off this mortal coil, all deals are off, and my obligations end immediately. You are entitled to a full refund of any deposits paid, but save your breath—you can’t sue a ghost. Any complaints get directed straight to Messers. De’ath & FOR K Ough.

9. Copyright & Who Owns What

• Copyright Ownership: I own the copyright to all the images and the RAW files. End of. No discussions will be entered into.
• Client License: You get a license for personal use—meaning you can print albums, sling them on social media, share them with your mates, and make Christmas cards.
• Restrictions: You can’t sell them or use them commercially without asking me first. You cannot edit or alter the images in any way; to do so is a breach of copyright. You may not sell your images to Hello! or any other publication (That’s my cash cow to milk).
• Portfolio Use: I can use the photos for my portfolio and social media to show off the graft.

10. When Shit Hits the Fan (Force Majeure)

• If shit happens that I have no control over and nothing to do with, it’s not my fault: This covers unforeseen disasters, such as me getting ran over in my living room. The wedding venue burning down (What’s that smell? Petrol!). The bride/groom buggering off at the last minute – you’ll have my sympathy, but that’s all.If it kills the wedding, prepaid non-deposit funds get refunded. But remember I am not a magician; I cannot conjure coverage out of thin air.

11. Gear Fails & Liability

• Cameras break and hard drives corrupt: If something goes wrong outside of my control, I am not liable for the fallout. In the rare event of equipment failure or data loss, my maximum liability is strictly limited to a refund of what you’ve paid me, nothing more, so don’t try it. I haven’t just come over on the banana boat.

12. The Final Word

• Governed by the laws of England and Wales: Any changes need to be written down and agreed upon by both of us. If you try to argue these points after the fact, you’ll be directed back to the ledger. It’s not personal; it’s just how the business survives.
• Your Signature: ___________________________ Date: _______
• My Signature: ____________________________ Date: _______

Important Note on This Agreement:

This contract is written in a direct, informal, and slightly irreverent tone. This is intended to reflect the proprietor’s personal style and to set clear expectations from the outset. However, please be absolutely clear: This is a formal, legally binding commercial contract. By signing below, you are agreeing to all terms, conditions, payment schedules, and copyright stipulations.

Every clause, including the “farting clause” and the “visitation clause,” forms a material and legally enforceable part of this agreement. If you have any questions or reservations about our straight-talking approach, please discuss them with us before signing.