Updated 08/2012. by Gavin Seim: People are often looking for a starting point to build their photography contracts. Sometimes photographers take the I’m not sharing stance. I however do not and rather than manually emailing them each time people ask, I decided to share them here. I’ve included a folder with both PDF and DOC formats. You can start here, insert your own name and alter the text to suit your needs.
Disclaimer. I am NOT a lawyer: These are contracts I have used and I am making available free of charge. They are in no way guaranteed. I’ve written them in plain English, while still trying to cover my bases. I have not had them reviewed by a lawyer, so if you feel the need to have them checked, you’ll have to handle that on your own. OK disclaimer finished.
On a side note, if you are a lawyer and would like to help review the legal side of these contracts so we can post more official versions please contact me. Also if you have links to your own contracts (available for free) post them up so people can look at more ideas.
Enjoy… Gav
UPDATE 08.2012. Version 1.5.
Now includes…
- Sample Wedding Contract – Updated
- Sample Portrait Contract – Updated
- Sample Commercial Contract – New
- Sample Second Shooter Contract – New
Download Sample Contracts v1.5 Zip
Thanks again Gavin. I just closed on a wedding and was looking for a contract to use.
wwww.colbysphotography.com
thanks for the contract! It’s perfect for what I need right now.
Great contract. Short and effective! Super cool that it’s fully editable and able to be customized to your needs! Download it and check it out. Thanks Gavin!
thanks
Thank you for making this available—it’s exactly what I need! : )
I also added this at the bottom:
Production and delivery time will vary, depending on the vendor(s) selected. No changes can be made after final approval. His and Hers Creative is not responsible for production and/or mailing delays once files have been submitted for printing, or delays occurring due to lack of communication from CLIENT, or CLIENT’S family and/or friends.?
After a couple of sessions where the couples decided no longer wanted to adhere to what we’d agreed to verbally as well as in email, your contracts, with some changes to accommodate what I need, will be most helpful. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise.
Andi V.
Thank you so much for making these contracts available for use. After adding just a few of my own words, they are perfect and exactly what I was looking for.
Thank you again for sharing.
– Sheri R.
Thanks so much for sharing, with a few alterations its exactly what I needed!
Hey, Gavin! As usual, you’re awesome! Thank you for sharing your expertise! I don’t shoot professionally, but if I do, I’ll have your contracts as a guideline and a starting place.
It’s available for MAC system only? Does Anybody has for PC?
These files are not platform specific. Download the zip file and unpack it, then you’ll be able to open them.
Thanks Gavin. That helps a lot. I tried to get some contracts of photographers but they were stiff scared… Can’t understand this. I will share mine. Thanks to you.:)
Have a good life.
Stephanie
Hi Gavin –
Thanks for these. Once question – what do you do for sessions when you don’t meet the customers face to face before hand? Do you email or send this to them?
Thanks,
Joey
Yes Joey it’s easily emailed as a PDF. Though it’s always better to meet first.
thank you so much for sharing this contract, Gavin! exactly what I needed to get started.
and thank you to Carole for the production clause
good luck to all 🙂
Thanks for the sample…exactly what i needed!
Thank you, this is sooo helpful in my business…
Gavin,
thank you very much! as always, I can use it extremely!!!!
I’m just getting my business up and running, needed a really good contract thanks so much for sharing this information. Glad to know there are still people who care about people instead of just money. I too will give back when my time come.
Thank you so much for letting me use your downloadable forms for free! Just starting out with a few family portrait bookings and I needed something quick. I was able to edit in my own phrases very easily. Thanks so much for sharing! xoxoxo
Thank you so much! I am just starting to move the business from hobby to profession and I have booked my first wedding. I work full time and go to school in the evenings also to complete a photography degree. I hardly have time right now, and these will be a great resourse to build off of. Thank you ever so much!
THANK YOU! I really appreciate the willingness to share!
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for, clean, concise and to the point. And it really protects our image rights as photographers. Can’t thank you enough.
Thanks so much for all you do for the photography community. I love your spirit of helpfulness and your podcast. Keep up the great work!
Thanks so much for sharing! I have been in business for only a few months and I have beeen looking for an easy to understand contract! Thanks again!
Kathy- KDM Photography
Thank you so much! I appreciate your willingness to help fellow photographers. I am just starting out and needed a contract sample, this has saved me so much extra time and worry! Can’t thank you enough. xoxo
Beverly
What a great resource! Thank you for sharing, this is exactly what I was looking for.
Thank you. I’m starting in the photography business and these contracts are what I was looking for
You are such a star! I cant thank u enough, this was just what I was looking for & it has been a great help! I think the other comments cover pretty much everything I would like to say.. So once again, from an aspiring photographer, THANK U
Just what I needed, Thanks a bunch!
Thank you for the contracts, they will help a lot. I’m trying to start my business and cover all areas.
Thank you again.
Thanks so much Gavin! These are awesome! What a great person you are for being willing to help out others!
Thank you for the contracts, I think they will help tremendously.
Thank you
Kevin
Thank you for the wonderful contracts! You just made something not so fun, really easy and efficient.
Thank you so much! I need this really bad! Best contract I have found online…Much appreciation 🙂
Hi .Thanks for the sample contracts. They are very useful. In a world of paranoid and arcane photographers we need to share useful information especially for those like me who are starting out and lack the resources and finances yet have the passion and flair for photography . If anyone of you have any ideas(Or a truckload of photograph equipment lol) , tips etc drop me an email at gaijinamp@gmail.com thanks Alvin
Thank you for sharing this simple but to the point contract. Much appreciated.
Thanks! The fact that the model release is built in is fabulous!
WOW! Thank you. These are fantastic!
unable to open
Sounds like your computer is having issues unzipping Sande. I suggest you check out the help page for that on seimeffects.com/help. It was written in regards to opening my editing packs, but the tips there may get your issue fixed.
We are just starting a joint venture into photography and am exicited to find your contracts on the web.
thanks. I’m very thankful I didn’t have to try and figure it out.
Linda
thanks so much for this one… 🙂
Gavin! Thank you so much for the contract! You are the best =).
Thanks a lot for this!
This was exactly what i was looking for, Thank for providing such a excellent information here..
Thanks so much for sharing these documents!
Thanks so much for sharing these contracts.. This is exactly what I have been searching for..
Thanks I’ve got a wedding coming up next month and was in great need for a contract so I can be prepared. Thanks again for sharing.
Thank you SO much Gavin – this is really helpful for those of us just getting our businesses started and don’t have the budget for an attorney yet. I really apreciate your being so kind to share!
Thanks So Much Gavin!!! These are so helpful to those of us who are just starting out =)
Hi Gavin, I’m trying to download, but the link ‘appears to be broken’. Any help?? From all the positive feedback here, I’d love to be able to download! Thanks
Hi Danielle. I think it’s just a temporary issue with the host. Seems to be working now. Give it a shot and let me know if you have further issues… Gav
Hey Gav, it’s now working! Thanks very much for these. I am sure I can adapt for Aussie use! Thanks again & all the best, Danielle
Perfect! Just what I needed to find. Thanks for sharing!!
This was exactly what I needed!! Thank you so much!!!
I would hug you if I could. 🙂
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing! You are very thoughtful + generous for doing so!
Many thanks, exactly what I needed, very concise and easy to read for the customer.
Thank you so much for sharing these! I’m just getting started with doing portraits and with just a few tweaks it was exactly what I needed! My first client signed it no questions asked last night! Thank you!
Thank you so so much! This is exactly what I needed to complete my new buisness, this contract is absolutley perfect! Thank you again!
Fab! Thank you 🙂
Thank you! My business is nature and landscape photography, but as a favor to a friend of a friend, I was asked to shoot a wedding five days before the date – for no fee as the family couldn’t afford it – and without meeting any of the parties prior to the wedding. My business partner insisted on a contact to protect both parties. Your form is simple and to the point (one sample contract I found was six pages!) and easily to edit to suit the purpose. Thank you for sharing – karma is good! 🙂
I sincerely appreciate the effort you have put forth to help others.
Awesome… thanks for sharing! :o)
cant wait to personalize this and get to using it on those clients that seem real particular.
Gavin… You are truly a pro! Many thanks from Hawaii to you for sharing. You saved me a lot of time with your ready-to-go doc. I owe you a box of chocolate mac nuts from our Islands.
With aloha, Karl
Hey Karl. No problem, glad I could help.
Gavin,
I was searching the web for sample event contracts to make changes to my current one. I came across yours, and proceeded to open it, amazing pictures, and great contracts. I got so much more out of it when I read “God has blessed me and I plan to use the talent he’s LOANED to me the best I can”, and “I’ll try to take what he gives me and try to produce something of real lasting value”. I needed that!!! Your family is beautiful, and I pray God continues to bless you because of your gracious heart.
Thank you, and Many Blessings
Mione
Hey Mione, thanks so much. Glad you could use it. Do join us on the forums, http://prophotoshow.net/forum
Gav
This looks wonderful! I’ll be doing my first wedding for a ‘stranger’ (vs. family/friends, etc.), and I think a contract is a really good idea.
Thank you so much for sharing, Gavin! I’m an “open source” kinda photog too. Now that I know of the forum, I will check it out and share what I can! (Sharing is good business.) Best of luck to you!
Wow, thank you, I’ve been looking for something like this for ages. I’m going to have a soliciter look them over (I have a friend who’ll do it for free, he just told me to give him something and he’ll look it over) as I live in the UK and I imagine there will be differences between U.S. and UK contract laws. Once it’s done I’ll mail you the revised docs.
Look forward to reviewing his revisions.
thankyou so much for sharing. i didnt know where to start, as this is all new for me cheers
Hi.
Thank you for this. They are a great starting point for me to adapt a little to my situation.
I was wondering about the “favourite magazine, food, place to shop, etc.” part in the wedding contract? What was that for?
Shaun
The question about food and such are a personal touch Shaun. It gives you info for later. Lets say you want to send them an anniversary gift in a year, or you want to know a few details about them for the wedding day. Simple questions can help you get to know them. These are optional of course, but I like getting a few fun details.
G
Thanks Gav, these are a big help. Will be adjusting them to suit my business and have my lawyer look over it as well.
I am so thankful that you are sharing this info. I was looking for a better contract and I FOUND IT, and for free no less. I am not sure, however, how to make updates specific to my business? I see others are saying they did or will do that, am I missing something?
Jenn you’ll need to edit the contracts you your needs. Download and work them over. These are just starting points… Gav
Thanks so much. It will help alot.
Hello,
When I am clicking on the download files– the “editable” files, are only showing as “read only” files, obviously not allowing me to change things… Help please!
Thank you!
This sounds like a software issue. None of them are locked. They should definitely open fine in open office or word. If you have further trouble shoot me an email, prohphotoshow at gmail.com
Gav
Hello Gavin,
Thanks so much!! Lately I’ve been getting a couple of inquiries for wedding and family portraits, so I want to be ready!
MoJenk
Very nice work.
Thanks for sharing your ideas.
This helps me focus on the important part.
Thank you for sharing your contract. I’m just starting as a Wedding Photographer. Appreciate your kindness.
Thank you for sharing your contract. I’m just starting as a Wedding Photographer and a contract is really important for the beginner. Appreciate your kindness.
Hello! I’ve been reading these and tried to cover the most I could, trying to make a neutral contract, but some articles are wedding giveaways. I’d welcome toughts and suggestions.
http://www.davorpavlic.com/complete-photography-contract/#.Uhpqx5JHAmQ