A Bride's TV Connection!
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A Bride's TV Connection!
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Once you feel good and are at peace with your photographer selection, get them booked immediately! Do not procrastinate. Place the retainer or deposit and begin completing the required paperwork. Make a note, retainers and deposits are viewed differently in every studio understand the requirements and the company's policies. Regardless of whether or not the studio refers to it as a retainer or as a deposit, the bottom line is you are paying a fee to reserve the date and engage ones services to cover your event. This fee may or may not be refundable.
Be weary of studios that do not have professionally printed contracts. Characteristically, that implies one of two things: they are not experienced in weddings or wedding coverage is not their primary photography focus. Review what percentage of their business was wedding related and no matter what require everything in writing! Below are the important considerations that should be reviewed and included in your wedding contract:
1. Name and contact information for both the client and the photographer. Make sure it spells out the photographers name who will be covering your event and not just the company name. Read fine print for a replacement or substitute clause.
2. Complete date and coverage time. Specify start and end time. If this changes between the initial contract signing and the wedding date. It is the bridal couples responsibility to modify the times in writing. Do not make adjustments over the phone. It adds to confusion and legally, the photographer is only obligated to follow the specified contract times.
3. Itemized prices: Fee for professional services. Total cost including products. Often when booking a year or more in advance prices will change. If time restraints have been followed, any increase should be absorbed by the photographer and not the bridal couple.
4. Payment policies and cancellation clauses. Make certain you understand when payments are due and what the policy is if you cancel, but also if the photographer cancels your contract. Can you be bumped for a bigger or more profitable wedding?
5. Hidden charges: search for hidden fees or small print. Such as: contractual modification charges or overtime fees.
6. Film limits: Get in writing the minimum/maximum number of black and white/color images.
7. Proof policies: If applicable, estimated number of proofs or number of images. Weddings are uncontrollable events and every wedding varies greatly depending on the type of function, the amount of guests, and the pulse of the party. Understand the amount of estimated proofs, can never be guaranteed, but can be estimated based on the particulars of your wedding.
8. Proofing procedures and policies. Understand when you will get your proofs, how you will receive your proofs, and how long you will get to keep your proofs.
9. Product pricing clauses. How long will prices be secured for after the wedding? How long can orders be placed?
10. Album order guidelines: Understand time restrictions for placing album orders. Often couples are penalized for procrastinating. If you take an extended honeymoon, will you be subject to new album prices upon your return? Make sure design time limits are placed in writing. Also, note the estimated album completion time frame in writing. If you pay for product upfront, it is important to have documentation, in case the album is still incomplete 6 months to a year or more after your special day and legal representation is required. If you have a time frame in writing, you are most likely not dealing with a culprit of this financial juggling.
11. File ownership: Copyright guidelines and negative policies. Understand who owns your file and your images. This area can be tricky and often misunderstood. The bridal couple is paying for a studio/photographer to capture their event and create images for them. However, once an image is created it is copy righted to the creator. The client typically, pays for the creation of the image and the final product, but does not typically pay for the copy right release of the final product. Thus, copying or reproduction in any form, of any photograph is hereby prohibited and protected under Federal Copyright Laws and enforced to the fullest extent of the law. With scanners, and image copiers easily accessible more photographers are processing violators and National organizations are assisting them in this endeavor. Infringing these laws can be extremely costly and definitely not worth the benefit or possible savings. Find out how long the photographer will keep possession of your negatives and how much they charge for copyright release of your images.
12. Model releases: Understanding the copy right policy above, the creator of the image owns the copyright of the image. However, the law protects the couple as well. Before a photographer can showcase images from your event, they do have to receive a written and signed model release. This release should list in detail where the work may be showcased; for example, in studio displays, advertising, website, and for instructional or institutional purposes with the highest standards of taste and judgment. If applicable, it should also state if photographs of guests taken at the event are subject to the aforementioned uses and should be advised by the client. The model release is only valid, if signed by the said client.
Finally, once you have comfortably reviewed the required documentation and covered each of the above considerations, it is most likely safe to sign on the dotted line. Be sure to make a copy of the document for your files, so you may review it as your wedding day approaches. Best wishes on your special day! For more helpful Photography tips, view a Brides Guide to hiring a Wedding Photographer which can be located at a bookstore near you!
