Check Your Contract
As many couples are now booking their wedding photographers for this year and beyond, I wanted to discuss the importance of having a contract with your photographer that clearly outlines the details of your wedding day coverage.
Contracts by their very nature are designed to protect both the consumer and the service provider. A well written contract will clearly spell out the deliverables (products or services) that are to provided and the payment required. The conditions on how both parties will operate are also clearly listed in plain english.
Sadly, I have witnessed some couples who did not have a contract with their photographer, which lead to a disastrous result. And some couples who had a contract ended up paying additional fees for things they “thought” was included such as proofs and digital files.
Here are the four main things to look for before you sign a contract with your photographer.
Deliverables – Make sure that all items that you want in your package are clearly listed in your contract and are included in the fee being charged. These include, but are not limited to the length of coverage, high resolution files, printed proofs, albums, parent books, prints and engagement sessions.
Extras/Options – Make sure that the contract outlines the fee charged for additional options such as overtime, travel charges and what the photographer deems to be “additional products”. If there is an additional fee for items, what exactly is that fee?
Photographer’s Standard Fee – What is the fee, including taxes, for the deliverables in your contract. What are the payment terms? What forms of payment do they accept (cheque, cash, credit cards). Make sure their Canadian GST/HST number is listed as it must be on all invoices and receipts issued by legitimate Canadian businesses.
Terms & Conditions – I often call this the “fine print”. Read this section carefully as it discusses cancellation policies, payment terms, refunds of payments, backup equipment, limits of liability, etc. These terms need to benefit both parties, not just the photographer.
I wish you well for your wedding day…
Hey Roel,
Great tips! I sent this to my brother who is getting married … he found a great “deal” on a photographer for his wedding, but I am a bit suspect he will have lots of extra charges to pay.
Enjoy the snow!
Great post! Thanks for the section on extra items… I was about to sign a contract and when I didn’t see the digital files I wanted listed in it, I made sure I had the photographer write it in. You just saved me $500!!!
As a photographer, some of what you wrote makes sense, but you are going to make wedding couples more cautious about us photographers with this post. Whatever happened with telling people what they are going to get and the old fashioned handshake?
Scott,
A well written contract benefits everyone who participates in it. I see absolutely nothing wrong with listing the details, fees, terms & conditions so that both the client and photographer understand what is expected from each party. I am positive most contract lawyers would agree with me on this one
)
Roel, thank you for posting this and it is good information both for brides to be and photographers. The contract is a much debated item both in the need for one and what should be included in one. Having just revamped mine I am looking for ways to educate brides as to why one is needed. With your permission, of course, I would like to ‘reprint’ your comments above on my blog.
Cheers, Dave
Hi Dave,
Go ahead and use this post on your blog
)
This is a great list.
One more thing to add (if you do not mind) … If you are dealing with a big wedding photography studio that has several photographers, make sure you *meet* the photographer who will photograph your wedding, *view* their portfolio and then get their name (and their length of coverage) written into the contract. I learned that the hard way… I hired an awesome photographer (so I thought) only to find out on my wedding day that someone else (who is less experienced) would be photographing my wedding.
Good list, Roel. Thanks for posting it.