April 8, 2014
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Nothing without a contract!
This post is designed to help new photographers just starting out in the business. If you are a client, you are more than welcome to read on about why a professional must do everything by the book. Clearly, it helps both the photographer and the client figuring out what’s expected. Enjoy.
If you ever decide to take your photography hobby to the next level, there are certain “must have’s” and “must know’s” that need to be done.
I want to touch a bit in this blog about contracts. Long gone are the days of the good all American handshake or the pinky swear over hired services. Once you decide to take on a job for money, you become a bulls eye for any unsatisfied client who can find a loophole to retain their money. I’m not trying to be negative. I’m just trying to be real.
In my business, no work is done without a contract for services. The type of contract varies of course based on the actual type of photography of course. A contract covers both you as the photographer and actually the client as well. Knowing what they can expect in a job leaves no questions unanswered. Lets take the most obvious type of contract and that is for a wedding.
I’ve seen wedding contracts from many photographers over the years. Some are short and some are pages. My contract is 2 pages. If you are just getting into the business of photography, you should never ever do a job without something written. Even if it is the basics, you have something on paper to show the client that you are in fact, a business person as well as a photographer.
A basic contract should ask the following things in my opinion:
Client’s name(s)
Address
2 Telephone numbers
2 Email addresses
Date of event
Address of event
Starting time of event
Starting time of photographer
Ending time of photographer
Exact services photographer will be offering
Turn around time expected
Overtime charge
What, if any, services the client is expected to provide at the event?
I also have some bullet points on smaller items that I feel are necessary for me to photograph their event.
Both you and the client should sign the contract and exchange copies. If you cannot do a paper contract, then write everything down and email it to the client. Ask the client to confirm the email and by doing so, you will consider this to be a valid contract between the both of you.
You have to protect yourself is the bottom line. For some reason, when it comes to photography, many clients drag their feet with payment after the event. If they have money problems, you are the first to get pinched. If you have a contract, you have legal footing and take further action if necessary. They can say something like…. “We hired you for 8 hours and you left after 7, so we are not paying you the full amount.” Were you hired for eight hours? Did you stay for 8 hours? If you did stay for 8 hours, then show the client the last photograph you took which has the meta data on the data files showing the time stamp of your last image. Personally, I always take on or two images before I pack out my bags at every event. This is your ace in the hole if that ever comes up!
When I first started out in the business of photography, my contracts were small. I’m sure you contract will be too as you begin your journey. Over the years, I have added bullet points mostly because I have found that clients can and will find a loophole if they can because of money circumstances. I am a strong believer that for the most part, clients are honest, trustworthy and respectable. But I would also be a fool to believe that you can work a business without legal issues. Outline everything for them and for you. This way there will never be any questions or doubts. Don’t leave an opening for a future headache or sleepless nights. Consider yourself advised.
