Photography contract template
A photography and videography contract sets out what a photographer or videographer will shoot, what the client receives and when, the price and payment dates, cancellation, and who owns and may use the images. This version covers portrait, commercial and event work, with optional drone footage, and personal or commercial licences. A photographer completes one for each booking, with the shoot, deliverables, price, deposit and licence changing every time.
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What changes each time
23 values. Everything else is your wording, kept exactly.
The parties
- Date of the contract
- Photographer's name, address and company number
- Client's name or company and address
The booking and deliverables
- Type of shoot
- Date and time
- Locations
- Photography, video or both
- Brief
- Each deliverable, quantity, format and delivery time
- Extras
Price and cancellation
- Total price
- Deposit and balance
- Refundable or non-refundable deposit
- Payment method
- Cancellation bands and amount payable
- Rebooking fee
Drone footage
- Pilot's operator ID and insurer
- What happens if the drone cannot fly
Rights and storage
- Personal or commercial licence
- Territory and period
- Credit wording
- Months of backup
- Insurer and public liability cover
The rules it usually needs
Written in plain English when the template is set up.
- One of several wordings
“The booking is for photography, videography or both.”
When both are booked, deliverables include images and a film, each with its own format and delivery date.
- Once for each item
“Add a row for each deliverable.”
When a client wants edited images and a highlights film, each appears with its quantity or length, format and delivery date.
- One of several wordings
“The deposit is refundable, or non-refundable as a small part of the price.”
When the deposit is non-refundable, the contract says it is kept if the client cancels after any cancellation period, and states its percentage of the price.
- Only when…
“Include drone footage terms if a drone is booked.”
When drone footage is included, the contract names the operator ID and says what happens if flying is not possible.
- One of several wordings
“The client's right to cancel is excluded for a leisure event on a fixed date, or given in full for another consumer booking such as a portrait session.”
When a family books a portrait session online, the 14-day right and model cancellation form appear.
Questions people ask
Who owns the copyright in the photographs?
Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 the photographer is generally the first owner unless an employment relationship or a written agreement says otherwise. This contract keeps copyright with the photographer and gives the client a licence once paid.
Does a consumer client get a 14-day right to cancel?
Often yes for services booked online, by phone or away from business premises, under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. There is an exception for leisure services on a fixed date. This contract has both versions.
Can the deposit be non-refundable?
It can, but regulators advise that deposits are fairer as a small reservation fee and that cancellation charges should reflect genuine loss. The contract frames the deposit as a small percentage of the price.
Is a drone licence needed?
Drones above certain weights, or with a camera, need an operator ID and the pilot needs a flyer ID from the Civil Aviation Authority. Check the current rules, which the drone clause refers to.
Can I use my own version instead?
Yes. Upload your own Word or PDF and DocuWeave turns it into a template in your wording, with the details that change each time ready to fill in.
Use this template
It opens in DocuWeave as a template you can check, change and publish. Nothing is used until you do.