Wedding Photography Agreement & Model Release

I’m truly honored to be considered to document your wedding. This agreement is meant to keep expectations clear and protect everyone involved, so you can feel relaxed and supported throughout the process.

By signing, the Clients agree to the following terms:

1. Reservation & Payment

Your wedding date is reserved once this agreement is signed and a $250 non-refundable retainer is paid. This retainer secures your date and compensates the Photographer for turning away other bookings. The remaining balance is due on or before the wedding day. Coverage will not take place without a signed agreement and paid retainer, and final images will not be delivered until the balance is fully paid. Accepted payment methods include cash, check, or Venmo.

2. Scope of Services

The Photographer will provide wedding photography services as outlined and confirmed through written communication via email. Services include coverage of the agreed-upon events, image curation, and professional editing. Coverage is considered complete upon delivery of the final edited gallery. Because weddings are live events and unscripted, while every effort is made to capture important moments, specific images, poses, or people cannot be absolutely guaranteed.

3. Timeline & Cooperation

A thoughtfully planned timeline makes a big difference in capturing your day beautifully. Clients agree to provide a working timeline prior to the wedding and designate a point person, such as a planner, coordinator, or family member, to assist with group organization if needed. The Photographer cannot be responsible for missed images due to timeline delays, restricted access, lack of cooperation, or other circumstances outside her control.

4. Venues, Permits & Restrictions

Clients are responsible for securing all venue permissions, photography permits, required fees, and approval from officiants or coordinators. The Photographer is not responsible for any coverage limitations imposed by venues, officials, or other third parties.

5. Artistic Style & Editing

Clients are hiring the Photographer for her creative style and professional judgment. Image selection and editing style are at the Photographer’s discretion, and only images that meet professional standards are delivered. Unedited files and RAW images are never provided.

6. Deliverables & Turnaround

Your final edited images will be delivered through a private online gallery. Delivery timing depends on the length and scope of coverage, but your gallery will be ready no later than six weeks after the wedding date. Galleries will remain online and accessible for up to ten years from the delivery date. Even with long-term hosting included, clients are strongly encouraged to download and back up their images for safekeeping. Prints, albums, and other products are not included in the agreed-upon price, but they can be purchased later through your online gallery.

7. Meals & Breaks (Extended Coverage)

When wedding day coverage runs longer than four hours, a vendor meal and a short break are kindly requested. Breaks are taken thoughtfully and timed around the natural flow of events to ensure nothing important is missed and the day remains comfortable for all involved.

8. Overtime

If coverage is requested beyond the time agreed upon in writing, additional time may be approved on the wedding day. Overtime will be billed at the Photographer’s current hourly rate and must be paid before the delivery of the gallery.

9. Rescheduling & Cancellation

Retainer payments are non-refundable. If a wedding is canceled, additional fees may apply depending on timing and work already completed. One date change may be accommodated if the Photographer is available; if unavailable, the change is treated as a cancellation. In the event of illness, injury, or emergency preventing coverage, the Photographer will make reasonable efforts to secure a qualified replacement. If no replacement is available, liability is limited to a refund of payments received.

10. Force Majeure

If something completely out of our control prevents coverage — like severe weather, natural disasters, government restrictions, or the venue suddenly closing — the Photographer cannot be held responsible for missed images. In that case, the only remedy is a refund of any payments made for the portions of services that could not be delivered, minus the non-refundable retainer.

11. Equipment & File Protection

The Photographer uses professional backup equipment and stores files with redundancy. In the rare event of total image loss due to equipment failure, corruption, or other unforeseen events beyond control, liability is limited to a refund proportional to the affected portion of coverage.

12. Guest & Vendor Interference

Guests are welcome to take casual photographs, but interference may affect coverage. The Photographer is not responsible for missed images caused by blocked views, guest or vendor cameras, restricted movement, or limited access. An “unplugged ceremony” is strongly encouraged to avoid interference.

13. Copyright & Usage

All photographs remain the copyrighted property of the Photographer. Clients receive a non-exclusive personal-use license to print, share, and post images online. Images may not be sold, edited, altered, filtered, submitted to contests, or used commercially by vendors without written permission.

14. Model Release

Clients grant permission for the Photographer to use images for portfolio, website, social media, marketing, studio samples, and editorial features. No names will be used unless permission is given. If privacy is requested, it must be agreed to in writing before the wedding and may include a confidentiality fee.

15. Liability

Clients assume responsibility for the safety and behavior of themselves and their guests. The Photographer is not liable for injuries, property damage, emotional claims, or missed moments beyond her control. Maximum liability is limited to the total amount paid under this agreement.

16. Entire Agreement

This agreement represents the full understanding between the parties. Event specifics, package details, and pricing confirmed through written communication are considered part of this agreement. Any changes must be agreed to in writing.