Photographer Contract??

[emilymad]

I have picked a photographer and I am reviewing the contract. Is it normal to have to pay 100% of the fee before the wedding? I am not sure what is usual in these situations? :confused:

Did anyone else make changes to their contract?

Thanks!!

[pezaddict231]

I couldn't tell you what is typical, our deposit is 40%.

[twenty3curls]

I booked Randy for my wedding and I paid a 50% deposit when I booked him. The remaining 50% is due the day of the wedding. From talking with my friends who got married around here (Detroit area), that's pretty standard.

[lurkyloo]

We paid a 50% deposit and the rest on the day of the wedding, except we paid it earlier so we could pay by credit card.

[Skylarr29]

Our payment was due before the wedding so that seems normal to me. I think our balance was due 30 days beforehand but we paid it early because we had the money and wanted one less thing to worry about.

[emilymad]

Thanks all!

I just seemed weird to me to pay 100% of something before the service was even performed. I wouldn't do that in purchasing any other item but I am quickly learning that the wedding industry isn't typical!

[RangerPooh]

For ours we paid the deposit before the wedding and the remainder a few weeks prior to the wedding. So it is normal. I think that many photographers work this way so that they don't get burned by their clients. Besides, by hvaing it paid in advance it's one less thing to worry about $ wise.

[Saraheg2107]

We put 40% down and the rest is due two weeks before the wedding. I think almost every photographer has you pay the balance at least by the wedding day.

[emilymad]

Thanks!

I am not too concerned with this part now. You all have made me feel better! :)

There are other issues with the contract that I am addressing. I hope it all works out... :scared:

[DaddyDeuce]

We paid our photographer 100% before the wedding.

Something to look out for; Make it absolutely non-negotiable that one of the following happens:

1: All photographs are considered "work for hire", and you will be the copyright holder. You may optionally give the photographer a license to use them for promotion.

-OR-

2: If the photographer holds the copyright, you have a license to use all photographs as you see fit.

You must also make sure you will be provided with all the "digital negatives" (high quality JPG or RAW) images straight from the photographer's camera.

[emilymad]

We paid our photographer 100% before the wedding.

Something to look out for; Make it absolutely non-negotiable that one of the following happens:

1: All photographs are considered "work for hire", and you will be the copyright holder. You may optionally give the photographer a license to use them for promotion.

-OR-

2: If the photographer holds the copyright, you have a license to use all photographs as you see fit.

You must also make sure you will be provided with all the "digital negatives" (high quality JPG or RAW) images straight from the photographer's camera.

I think I have option #2 but I do need to check on the negatives. Thanks for the suggestion! :)

My issue now is that there is no provision for a backup photographer in case of illness or an emergency. Shouldn't there be?

I am still waiting to hear back from the photographer to get more details.

[DaddyDeuce]

My issue now is that there is no provision for a backup photographer in case of illness or an emergency. Shouldn't there be?


Our photographer was part of a family business. The father and both sons all did wedding photography. Even though we selected one of them specifically to do our work, the promise was that in the event of illness or emergency one of the others would be backup.

Not sure how a single-photographer studio would handle it. Maybe they make similar arrangements with a competitor?