Photography and Videography Client Service Agreement

What a good one includes

• A detailed breakdown of the shoot date, hours of coverage, locations, and the specific number of edited high-resolution images or video runtimes.
• A clear breakdown of the non-refundable retainer required to book the date, subsequent installment deadlines, and late payment penalties.
• An explicit clause defining who owns the copyright and exactly how, where, and for how long the client is permitted to use the final media.
• Realistic turnaround times for sneak peeks, proofing galleries, and final delivery, along with your policy on providing raw unedited files.
• Clear rules on what happens to payments if a client cancels, how rescheduling is handled, and protocols for bad weather.
• A provision granting you permission to use the captured images or footage in your portfolio, social media, and marketing materials.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Failing to explicitly state whether raw, unedited files are included, which often leads to awkward negotiations and clients demanding unpolished work.
• Forgetting to specify a clear delivery window, leaving you vulnerable to impatient clients messaging you constantly during your busiest seasons.
• Labeling the booking fee as a deposit instead of a non-refundable retainer, which can make it legally difficult to keep if the client cancels.
• Neglecting to define exactly how many video edits or image revisions are included, resulting in endless, unpaid post-production loops.

Frequently asked questions