Photography contract template

Coverage hours, edited-image counts, usage rights and a deposit that survives a reschedule. Here's the wording, and the three clauses photographers most often forget.

What's different about photography contracts

Design or development contracts are about scope; photography contracts are about time and rights. The shoot happens once, on a date that can move, and the deliverable is images that both you and the client want to use. The template below is the standard freelance agreement with those three things handled.

The clauses that matter most

Coverage and deliverablesProvider will photograph [event/session] on [date] for up to [4] hours at [location]. Client will receive [40] edited, colour-corrected images via an online gallery within [14] days, in web-sized and full-resolution files. Raw files are not delivered.

Deposit and reschedulingA non-refundable deposit of [30]% reserves the date. If Client reschedules with at least [7] days' notice, the deposit transfers to one new date within [90] days. Cancellations or reschedules with less notice forfeit the deposit.

Usage rightsOn full payment, Client receives a personal and commercial licence to use the delivered images. Provider retains copyright and may use the images for portfolio, website and social media unless Client requests otherwise in writing before the shoot.

ExtrasAdditional edited images are [$15] each. Additional coverage is [$150] per hour, billed in half-hour increments. Travel beyond [30] miles is billed at [$0.70]/mile.

Pick the Photographer template and it's pre-filled.Paperwork fills the proposal, contract, invoice, SOW, NDA and change order from one form, and your client signs from a link. $19 once. Try the free demo first.

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Three clauses photographers forget

1. Weather and venue restrictions

"Provider is not responsible for missed shots caused by weather, venue rules, restricted access, or guests interfering with coverage." One sentence, saves a refund argument.

2. Meal and break for long events

For coverage over five hours, a vendor meal and a 30-minute break. Put it in writing; wedding coordinators expect it.

3. Turnaround and preview

Promise a small preview (5 to 10 images) within 48 hours and the full gallery within your stated window. Clients who get a preview stop emailing.

Pricing that reads clearly

List coverage, editing and travel as separate line items. Bundling everything into "photography: $1,000" invites negotiation on the whole; itemised pricing lets a client drop travel or add an hour without renegotiating the rest.

Sending it

Paperwork's Photographer template fills the deliverables, pricing and notes above. Send the agreement as a link; the client signs on their phone and you're booked. The same project produces the deposit invoice and the receipt.