Professional wedding photography – terms and conditions

You’ll find everything you need to book me as your professional wedding photographer in the downloadable form below. Please print and complete, sign to say you agree to the Terms and Conditions (reproduced below), and post – or scan and email – the form back to me. I’ll be in touch!

I know. It’s the very long small print – but it really is important. It’s how you ensure you get exactly the professional wedding photography you want, and it’s how I ensure I’m your perfect wedding photographer.

Please read these Terms & Conditions carefully. Ask me about anything you’re unsure of. And if you’re happy with everything here, please print, sign and pass back to me. Thanks.

The terms
In this document ‘you’, ‘your’ and similar refer to the bride and groom whose wedding is the subject of the photography.
‘I’, ‘my’, ‘I’ll’ and similar refers to Luke Richards, professional wedding photographer, of Luke Richards Photography.

Confirmation
Without your signatures (at the foot of this document) and your deposit I won’t be able to carry out your professional wedding photography. So do please sign, pay, and with the contract sorted we can get on with the exciting stuff.

Pre-wedding consultation
This normally happens at the time of booking. You’ll tell me your plans and (broadly) what you want from your professional wedding photography. I’ll ask you a few questions about timings and logistics. Where appropriate, I’ll offer advice to help you get the best from your photography.

If you’d like an additional chat nearer the date of the wedding to iron out the final details you’re welcome to pop in. In any event I’ll be giving you a call a few days before the wedding to ensure that there have been no last minute changes.

Cooperation
Wedding photography takes less time and generates better results when the professional wedding photographer has a little help. For that reason I’d appreciate the help of the best man.

I won’t take up a huge amount of his time, but I would like him to identify key individuals (so I don’t have to bother you) and help organise family groups.

I’ll also need notification of the key events at the wedding and you agree to ensure I’m given sufficient notice of cake cutting, speeches, bouquet throwing etc.

Not everyone likes having their photograph taken. If someone asks me not to take their photograph I will use my discretion but generally abide by their request. For that reason, I can’t be held responsible if not everyone at your wedding appears on a photograph.

The schedule
I plan the shooting schedule, the way I work and your experience to get the very best out of your professional wedding photography. Your punctuality and cooperation – and that of your guests – will help me do that.

If the wedding doesn’t run to time (for example, because the bride arrived extremely late to the church) I can’t guarantee to take a normal set of photos but I will do my absolute best to compensate. If I do have to work beyond the hours I’ve agreed with you the charge will be £50 per hour.

House rules
Every venue has its own rules and a professional wedding photographer is as bound by them as anyone else. I must, therefore, abide by the rules imposed by registrars, ministers and venue management.

Some ministers, for example, insist that no flash photography is allowed. Others will insist that the professional wedding photographer shoot from a specific location. In such circumstances I will be bound by these rules and you agree to accept the limitations that may be imposed on me and the equipment I’m able to use.

I would advise you talk to your wedding venue(s) in advance of your wedding to avoid any nasty surprises.

Copyright
English Copyright Law states that the copyright in photographs remains with the professional wedding photographer. The digital images I take are for your personal use and the use of your friends and relatives and I’m happy to release copyright to you provided the photographs remain for personal use.

If you or your friends and relatives plan to sell any of your wedding photos for profit you or they must obtain my permission.

Model release
You agree that I can use the photographs from your wedding for competition or advertising. You release me and my assigns from all liability and claims in connection with the images.

Limit of liability
If I am too ill or injured to carry out your professional wedding photography and I cannot supply the services we have agreed, I will do everything possible to book a replacement professional wedding photographer. Under normal circumstances I will ensure a second professional wedding photographer is on standby for the day. If a replacement photographer cannot be found liability is limited to a refund of any payments received.

I take great care to prevent the loss of, or damage to, your images. Digital images are backed up constantly to separate storage media throughout the wedding. Duplicate equipment is on hand in case of breakage or failure. Although extremely unlikely, the possibility of images being lost, stolen or destroyed for reasons beyond my control does still remain. In these circumstances my liability is limited to the return of fees paid for the service or part thereof according to the percentage of original images I’m able to supply.

Booking deposits
If you have to cancel your wedding for any reason I’m afraid the booking deposit is non-refundable as it will be considered to be liquidated damages.

Delivery of CD/DVD
Your proofs and photo CD or DVDs are normally ready within 21 days of the wedding. Album packages will normally take up to 28 days to be designed once you have confirmed your image and design choices, and a further 30 days to be printed and delivered.

You must submit your image choices for the album within 6 months of the wedding date. After this period an additional fee is payable.

Once you have selected your images I will design your album and email a PDF (or similar) for your approval before printing begins. Once you’ve approved your design you can make one further change to it free of charge. Further changes will cost £50 per change and you should notify me of all changes within two weeks of completion of draft.

To book me as your professional wedding photographer please download these terms using the PDF at the top of this page or here. Print and complete the required information, then post – or scan and email – the form back to me. You’ll find the addresses to use on the form. Thanks.