The Photographer Contract

You've chosen the talented photographer who will capture the beautiful images of your wedding. They've sat with you and written your names on their calendar. Fantastic. What to do next? Make sure it's in pen and not in pencil!

The last thing you want is something to happen and your photographer to cancel at the last minute...or things to not go as planned. You may have talked about everything and communicated it verbally, but it's so important that you sign a contract detailing your expectations so there's no confusion before, during or after the day.

Make sure you have a copy, and that both you and the photographer have signed both copies.

Here are some points you should think about covering in the contract:
*    Your full contact details
*    The photographer's full contact details (Make sure they specify if it will actually be them who shoots your wedding. You don't want to find out on the day that it's a staff photographer and not the person with whom you'd been in contact with since the very beginning. Ensure they also specify any assistants who will help out on the day.)
*    The date and time of the wedding ceremony and reception
*    Exact number of hours the photographer is expected to work
*    A list of the locations, subjects and rough timeline at which the photographer is expected to shoot, including addresses (i.e. where the wedding party get ready, the ceremony venue, any special locations, the reception venue)
*    Style(s) of photography agreed upon (Contemporary? Documentary? Natural? Traditional? Editorial? Candid? Posed?)
*    Specific details of the package - i.e. album included, proofs included (how many), if negatives used, will they be included (how many)
*    If the album is included, ensure the particulars are listed - i.e. style of album, number of photographs
*    Timings of post-production - i.e. how soon after the wedding day will  proofs be available? For how long? Once proofs are selected, when will the album be available?
*    How long the photographer will keep the proofs after the wedding, and if they are digitally archived
*    Total price (preferably itemised) and due dates (NB: more than one if payment plan worked out with the photographer)
*    Deposit required and due date
*    Any additional costs that may spring up on the day (i.e. overtime prices, travel expenses)
*    Contingency plan in the event of equipment failure
*    Cancellation and refund policies (including length of time, charges etc)
*    Ensure photographer will supply proof of liability insurance (may want to specify amount)