Photographer Contract Template

PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES AGREEMENT This Agreement is entered into as of [DATE] between: CLIENT: [CLIENT FULL NAME OR COMPANY NAME], located at [CLIENT ADDRESS] ("Client") CONTRACTOR: [YOUR FULL NAME OR BUSINESS NAME], located at [YOUR ADDRESS] ("Contractor") Together referred to as the "Parties." --- 1. SHOOT DETAILS Date(s): [DATE or DATE RANGE] Location: [LOCATION OR ADDRESS] Shoot duration: [X] hours Subject matter: [DESCRIBE — e.g., "Product photography for skincare line, approximately 15 SKUs. Lifestyle shots with model on white and lifestyle backgrounds."] Number of final edited images delivered: [X] Delivery format: [e.g., high-resolution JPG files, minimum 3000px on long edge, delivered via Google Drive or WeTransfer within [X] business days of shoot] --- 2. EDITING AND RETOUCHING Final delivered images will be professionally edited for color, exposure, and basic retouching. This Agreement includes: - Standard color correction and exposure adjustment on all delivered images - Basic skin retouching on [X] hero images (blemish removal, skin smoothing) The following are NOT included in the base fee and are available at an additional rate of $[AMOUNT] per image: - Extensive retouching (body reshaping, background replacement, compositing) - Object removal - Color isolation or selective color treatments Client must specify retouching requests in writing within [5] business days of receiving the gallery. Requests made after this window are subject to the additional per-image rate. --- 3. RAW FILES RAW, unedited files are not included in this Agreement and will not be delivered. RAW files are Contractor's working files and remain in Contractor's possession at all times. [OPTIONAL — If you offer RAW files for purchase:] RAW files are available for an additional fee of $[AMOUNT] for the full shoot gallery. This must be agreed and paid before delivery. --- 4. IMAGE LICENSING Contractor retains copyright of all images created under this Agreement. "Copyright" means the legal right to reproduce, distribute, and create derivative works. Licensing means Contractor grants Client permission to use the images within defined terms. Upon receipt of full payment, Client receives the following license: Permitted use: [DESCRIBE — e.g., "Client's owned website, social media channels (organic posts only), email marketing, and internal presentations."] License term: [12 months / 3 years / perpetual] Geographic scope: [Worldwide / specify region] Exclusivity: [Non-exclusive / Exclusive — if exclusive, see Section 6] This license does not include paid advertising, print, out-of-home, or commercial broadcast unless specified below or in a separate written agreement. --- 5. EXPANDED LICENSING — PAID ADS AND PRINT [OPTIONAL — Include if Client may need broader usage. Remove if licensing for organic/digital use only.] If Client wishes to use images beyond the scope in Section 4, the following additional licensing fees apply: - Digital paid advertising (Meta, Google, TikTok, etc.), under 6 months: $[AMOUNT] - Digital paid advertising, 6–12 months: $[AMOUNT] - Digital paid advertising, unlimited / perpetual: negotiated separately - Print use (packaging, marketing materials, collateral): $[AMOUNT] per piece / negotiated - Out-of-home advertising (billboards, transit, retail displays): negotiated separately - Commercial broadcast (TV, streaming): negotiated separately All expanded usage must be confirmed in writing and paid before images are used in that capacity. --- 6. EXCLUSIVITY [OPTIONAL — Include only if Client is requesting exclusivity. Remove if not applicable.] For a period of [6 / 12] months from delivery, Contractor agrees not to license images from this shoot to direct competitors of Client in the [PRODUCT/INDUSTRY CATEGORY] category. This exclusivity restriction is included in the fee only if negotiated and confirmed in writing before this Agreement is signed. Exclusivity requested after signing is subject to an additional fee of $[AMOUNT]. --- 7. MODEL AND PROPERTY RELEASES [Choose the option that applies and delete the other.] OPTION A — Client is responsible for releases: Client is responsible for obtaining signed model releases from all individuals appearing in the images and signed property releases for all locations and privately-owned properties photographed. Client assumes full legal responsibility for any claims arising from the use of images where required releases were not obtained. OPTION B — Contractor coordinates releases on location: Contractor will coordinate model releases on set. Client will provide release forms and any required compensation to models prior to the shoot date. Contractor is not responsible for claims arising from releases signed under Client's direction. --- 8. EXPENSES The following expenses are included in the quoted fee: [LIST OR "None — all expenses are additional."] The following expenses are billed at cost and invoiced separately: - Travel beyond [X] miles from [YOUR CITY]: mileage at $[RATE] per mile or economy airfare plus ground transport - Accommodation if overnight travel is required - Equipment rental specific to this project - Studio rental - Assistants or second shooters (quoted and approved in advance) - Permits and location fees Contractor will obtain written approval for any individual expense over $[AMOUNT] before incurring it. --- 9. PAYMENT Total fee: $[AMOUNT] Deposit: $[DEPOSIT AMOUNT] (50% of total) due to secure the shoot date Balance: $[REMAINING AMOUNT] due upon delivery of final edited images The shoot date is not confirmed until the deposit is received. Invoices are payable within [7] days of receipt. Invoices unpaid after [14] days accrue a late fee of [1.5%] per month on the outstanding balance. Contractor will not deliver final images until payment is received in full. --- 10. CANCELLATION AND RESCHEDULING If Client cancels or reschedules the shoot, the following applies: - Cancelled or rescheduled more than [14] days before shoot date: deposit is forfeited; no additional fee - Cancelled or rescheduled [7–14] days before shoot date: 50% of total fee is owed - Cancelled or rescheduled fewer than [7] days before shoot date: 100% of total fee is owed If Contractor must cancel due to illness, emergency, or circumstances outside their control, Contractor will make reasonable efforts to reschedule at no additional charge or refund the deposit in full. --- 11. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Contractor retains copyright of all images created under this Agreement. The license granted in Section 4 (and Section 5 if applicable) does not constitute a transfer of copyright. Client may not sublicense, sell, or transfer any rights to the images to third parties without Contractor's written consent. Contractor retains the right to use images in their portfolio, website, and marketing materials unless Client requests otherwise in writing within [30] days of delivery. --- 12. CONFIDENTIALITY [OPTIONAL — Include if shooting unreleased products, sensitive materials, or under NDA conditions.] Contractor agrees not to disclose, publish, or distribute the images, or any information about the shoot, before Client's authorized release date of [DATE]. This obligation does not apply to portfolio use after the release date unless separately agreed. --- 13. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR Contractor is an independent contractor, not an employee of Client. Contractor is responsible for all taxes on income earned under this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement creates a partnership, joint venture, or employment relationship. --- 14. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY Contractor's total liability under this Agreement shall not exceed the total fees paid by Client. In the event of equipment failure, data loss, or circumstances preventing delivery of images, Contractor's maximum liability is a full refund of fees paid. Contractor is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages. --- 15. DISPUTE RESOLUTION The Parties agree to attempt to resolve any dispute through good-faith negotiation before pursuing legal action. This Agreement is governed by the laws of [YOUR STATE/PROVINCE]. --- 16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior discussions, proposals, or agreements. Any modifications must be made in writing and signed by both Parties. --- SIGNATURES Contractor: Signature: _______________________________ Name: [YOUR NAME] Date: _______________ Client: Signature: _______________________________ Name: [CLIENT NAME] Title: [CLIENT TITLE, IF APPLICABLE] Date: _______________