Youve met with your wedding photographer, have read the contract, and are ready to put the pen to the page and book your wedding photographer. Do you know what your wedding photography contract should include? Booking a wedding photographer is a huge commitment, so it is wise to be well-informed and educated about your wedding photography contract. Here are things to remember when reviewing your wedding photography contract.
Outline the Days Details
All the specific details should be outlined in your wedding photography contract. Do you know if there is only that single photographer? Is he or she bringing along an assistant or a second photographer to help? Making sure that the hourly commitment is crystal clear in the contract will make sure you have your wedding photographer there to cover ALL of your memories, and not one minute less.
You Know Who, You Know What, Now Tell Them WHERE
The venue of your wedding and reception should be printed within the body of your wedding photography contract. This way, the wedding photographer is clear about what venue the ceremony is taking place at, where the location of the reception is, and any in-between pit stops there might be during your day. Is the reception location different from your ceremony location? Are the bridesmaids getting ready clear across town first? The more information you give your wedding photographer within the contract, the more assured that you and the photographer will be. Include addresses, telephone numbers, and contact information for each place you are hosting part of your wedding that day.
What Your Wedding Photography Package Includes
Your wedding day photography is an investment in your memories of your big day! So, you should know what all is included. The contract should outline the details of your wedding package. Although you may know how long the wedding photographer has committed to, how many photos you will receive, if you have rights to republish the pictures anywhere you like, and how many photographers and assistants will be there, it helps to have the specifics down in black and white. Know in advance what you will be getting the day of, and the days after, your wedding.
When To Pull Out Your Pocketbook
All wedding photography contracts outline some form of payment schedule. Some require a 50% deposit and the rest upon the date of the event. Some wedding photographers want the full payment up front. Others may set up a payment plan with you. Be sure you are aware of specific payment due dates in your wedding photography contract. Read the fine print. Some wedding photographers may book someone else for your wedding date if you do not pay on time.
Also, many people forget about the fact that wedding photographers are committing an entire day to your wedding, usually 8-10 hours. During this time, they will probably get hungry! Most wedding photography contracts include an agreement of what a photographer is fed at your wedding. In most cases, there is time allotted for the photographer and assistants to eat during the wedding reception. Take care of your staff for your wedding day and they will do an the same for you!
Make Your Own Shot List
If there are specific shots you want during your wedding day, throw them into the contract so that there is no confusion or misstep. Many photographers will work with you before your day to add the photos you want to the master shot list. Even so, list out the wedding day photos you absolutely have to have and include those in the contract. This will serve as a reference for the wedding photographer to look back on when it gets closer to your day, and, you will have the reassurance that these shots WILL be included!
The In Case Of Emergency Clause
Wedding photographer contracts should include a clause stating an alternative course of action should an emergency or illness arise. Will another recommended photographer shoot in his or her place? Will he or she come shoot your wedding anyway? How will your memories be documented should something happen to the wedding photographer? Keep in mind that your wedding photographer contract should have these details included within it.
Go Through A Mental Rundown
Spend time carefully reading the wedding photography contract, discussing it with your fianc, and making sure that you understand and accept each and every bit of what is on that paper. This will give you the reassurance you deserve when booking your wedding photographer, knowing that this person will be there to catch every tear, every laugh, every hug, and every kiss of your wedding day.
Outline the Days Details
All the specific details should be outlined in your wedding photography contract. Do you know if there is only that single photographer? Is he or she bringing along an assistant or a second photographer to help? Making sure that the hourly commitment is crystal clear in the contract will make sure you have your wedding photographer there to cover ALL of your memories, and not one minute less.
You Know Who, You Know What, Now Tell Them WHERE
The venue of your wedding and reception should be printed within the body of your wedding photography contract. This way, the wedding photographer is clear about what venue the ceremony is taking place at, where the location of the reception is, and any in-between pit stops there might be during your day. Is the reception location different from your ceremony location? Are the bridesmaids getting ready clear across town first? The more information you give your wedding photographer within the contract, the more assured that you and the photographer will be. Include addresses, telephone numbers, and contact information for each place you are hosting part of your wedding that day.
What Your Wedding Photography Package Includes
Your wedding day photography is an investment in your memories of your big day! So, you should know what all is included. The contract should outline the details of your wedding package. Although you may know how long the wedding photographer has committed to, how many photos you will receive, if you have rights to republish the pictures anywhere you like, and how many photographers and assistants will be there, it helps to have the specifics down in black and white. Know in advance what you will be getting the day of, and the days after, your wedding.
When To Pull Out Your Pocketbook
All wedding photography contracts outline some form of payment schedule. Some require a 50% deposit and the rest upon the date of the event. Some wedding photographers want the full payment up front. Others may set up a payment plan with you. Be sure you are aware of specific payment due dates in your wedding photography contract. Read the fine print. Some wedding photographers may book someone else for your wedding date if you do not pay on time.
Also, many people forget about the fact that wedding photographers are committing an entire day to your wedding, usually 8-10 hours. During this time, they will probably get hungry! Most wedding photography contracts include an agreement of what a photographer is fed at your wedding. In most cases, there is time allotted for the photographer and assistants to eat during the wedding reception. Take care of your staff for your wedding day and they will do an the same for you!
Make Your Own Shot List
If there are specific shots you want during your wedding day, throw them into the contract so that there is no confusion or misstep. Many photographers will work with you before your day to add the photos you want to the master shot list. Even so, list out the wedding day photos you absolutely have to have and include those in the contract. This will serve as a reference for the wedding photographer to look back on when it gets closer to your day, and, you will have the reassurance that these shots WILL be included!
The In Case Of Emergency Clause
Wedding photographer contracts should include a clause stating an alternative course of action should an emergency or illness arise. Will another recommended photographer shoot in his or her place? Will he or she come shoot your wedding anyway? How will your memories be documented should something happen to the wedding photographer? Keep in mind that your wedding photographer contract should have these details included within it.
Go Through A Mental Rundown
Spend time carefully reading the wedding photography contract, discussing it with your fianc, and making sure that you understand and accept each and every bit of what is on that paper. This will give you the reassurance you deserve when booking your wedding photographer, knowing that this person will be there to catch every tear, every laugh, every hug, and every kiss of your wedding day.