Contract template for photographers
Photography disputes tend to be about two things: images used beyond the licence, and cancellations. A client who paid for website use puts the photo on packaging. A client books a date, then cancels the day before. Both are common, and both are much easier to handle when the contract named the licence and the kill fee in advance.
There are also smaller fights about delivery: why only 40 images when 600 were shot, why the client cannot have the outtakes, why a third-party edit of your photo with a heavy filter carries your credit. A clause each is enough.
Not legal advice. This is a plain-language starting point, not a contract drafted for your situation or your country. For anything large or unusual, have a lawyer where you work read it before you sign.
Clauses specific to photographers
- Copyright. The photographer keeps copyright in all images. The client receives a licence to use the delivered images as set out in the quote.
- Usage licence. The licence covers the media, territory and period stated in the quote, and starts on full payment. Other uses need a separate licence.
- Kill fee. If the client cancels after booking, the fee due depends on notice given, as set out in the quote. Costs already committed, such as studio or crew, are billed in full.
- Image selection and delivery. The photographer selects and edits the images delivered. Unselected frames and RAW files are not part of the delivery.
- Releases. The client is responsible for model and property releases unless the quote says the photographer handles them.
- Alterations. The client may crop and resize images for layout. Other alterations, such as filters or compositing, require the photographer's approval if the photographer is credited.
The clauses every freelance contract needs
- Parties. Who the agreement is between: your legal name or business, the client's legal entity, and the addresses of both.
- Scope of work. What you will deliver, in what form, and what is explicitly not included. Refer to the quote or proposal by number if it lists the details.
- Fees and payment terms. The total fee or rate, the currency, any deposit, when invoices are issued and how many days the client has to pay.
- Late payment. What happens when an invoice is late: interest or a fixed fee if you want one, and your right to pause work until the account is settled.
- Changes and revisions. How many revision rounds are included, what counts as a change of scope, and how extra work is priced and approved.
- Timeline and client delays. Key dates, and that deadlines move when the client is late with feedback, content or approvals.
- Ownership and licence. Who owns the finished work and when (usually on full payment), what the client may use it for, and what you keep, such as your tools, templates and know-how.
- Confidentiality. Both sides keep the other's non-public information private, during the project and after it.
- Cancellation. How either side can end the agreement, the notice required, and payment for work done up to that point.
- Liability. A cap on what either side can claim, often the fees paid under the agreement, and no liability for indirect losses.
- Governing law. Which country's law applies and where disputes are heard. Usually where you are based.
A plain-language sample
Copy it, fill in the brackets, and cut what doesn't apply. Shorter is fine as long as the scope, the money and the rights are clear.
1. Parties
This agreement is between [Your name or business], the photographer ("we"), and [Client legal name], the client ("you"), and starts on [date].
2. The work
We will deliver the work described in quote [number], dated [date]. Anything not listed there is outside this agreement and will be quoted separately before we start on it.
3. Copyright
The photographer keeps copyright in all images. The client receives a licence to use the delivered images as set out in the quote.
4. Usage licence
The licence covers the media, territory and period stated in the quote, and starts on full payment. Other uses need a separate licence.
5. Kill fee
If the client cancels after booking, the fee due depends on notice given, as set out in the quote. Costs already committed, such as studio or crew, are billed in full.
6. Image selection and delivery
The photographer selects and edits the images delivered. Unselected frames and RAW files are not part of the delivery.
7. Releases
The client is responsible for model and property releases unless the quote says the photographer handles them.
8. Alterations
The client may crop and resize images for layout. Other alterations, such as filters or compositing, require the photographer's approval if the photographer is credited.
9. Fees and payment
The fee is [amount and currency]. We invoice [a deposit of X on signing and the balance on delivery / monthly in arrears]. Invoices are due within [14] days. If an invoice is more than [14] days late we may pause work until it is paid.
10. Changes
The quote includes [number] rounds of revisions. Further changes, or changes to work you have already approved, are charged at [rate] once you have agreed to the cost in writing.
11. Delays
Dates in the quote assume you send feedback and material on time. If you are late, the dates move by at least the same amount.
12. Confidentiality
We both keep the other's non-public information confidential, during this project and after it ends.
13. Ending the agreement
Either of us can end this agreement with [14] days' written notice. You pay for the work done up to the end date, and anything already paid for is yours to use under the terms above.
14. Liability
Neither of us is liable for indirect or consequential losses. Our total liability under this agreement is limited to the fees you have paid under it.
15. Law
This agreement is governed by the law of [country], and disputes are heard by the courts of [city or country].
Signatures
Photographer: [name, date]. Client: [name, title, date].
Questions photographers ask
Does the client own the photos if they paid for the shoot?
Not by default in many countries. Copyright usually stays with the photographer unless it is transferred in writing. The client gets the licence the contract describes.
Can a client ask for all the unedited photos?
They can ask, but the contract decides. Most photographers state that they deliver an edited selection and that outtakes and RAW files are not included.
Who needs to get model releases on a commercial shoot?
Whoever the contract names. For commercial or advertising use, releases from identifiable people are usually needed. Settle who collects them before the shoot, not after.
Get it signed without printing it
OIO has contract templates built in (service agreement, retainer, IP assignment, NDA) that you edit to fit, sign in the Sign app and send as a PDF. The contract sits next to the project and its invoices. Free plan, no card.
Start freeAlso for photographers: invoice template and quote template. Contract templates for related trades: videographers, graphic designers, video editors, social media managers. Or browse all contract templates.