Five things you should include in your commercial photoshoot contract - Atlanta Brand & Lifestyle Photographer
Your Brand Photography service agreement is a very important piece of the brand photography client onboarding puzzle. It should simply and clearly outline your services, the expectations between you and the client, and in turn give you that amazing feeling of confidence walking into your next brand photoshoot.
Here are the five most important things you should include in your commercial contract:
Booking & Payment - at the bare minimum, you should clearly outline what your total fee for the project is, and if it includes a non-refundable deposit (and what it is). Don’t forget to also include when the downpayment is due (usually within 24 hours of signing the agreement) and when the rest of the payment is due (usually the day of the shoot).
Styling - are you responsible for the styling choice and wardrobe of the client? Or is it client’s responsibility? Will you allow for a reshoot in case the client is not happy with the styling choices she/he will see in their images?
Artistic Rights or Copyright - 99% of the time we as photographers remain the copyright owners of the photographic works we produced. However in some instances, client may want to “buy out” full copyright from you, be sure to indicate that clearly in the agreement. And don’t hold back when it comes to the price. Use gettyimages.com to estimate the per file cost.
Model Release - especially important in the commercial photography setting, a model release gives you, the photographer, the right to create photos for promotional materials, online and commercial usage and other marketing. Your model / client will acknowledge that they will not be compensated now or in the future for any use of their likeness in marketing.
Location Release - will grant the use of venue for the purpose of photography & allow use of images in marketing. Usually the owner of the property will need to sign the release. Even in seemingly public places like parks and city streets, it is best to check for any location permits and get access without worrying about running into any issues while shooting with a client.
