Creative Template
Free Photography Contract Template
A photography contract covers shoot details, licensing rights, deliverables, and payment terms.
Template
Copy this markdown, replace the {{variables}}, and send via API.
# Photography Contract
**Photographer:** {{photographerName}}
**Client:** {{clientName}}
**Date:** {{date}}
## Event/Shoot
{{shootDescription}}
{{shootDate}}, {{shootLocation}}
## Deliverables
{{deliverables}}
## Fees
{{fees}}
## License
{{licenseGrant}}
## Cancellation
{{cancellationPolicy}}
## Model Release
{{modelReleaseTerms}}Send for e-signature
curl -X POST https://signb.ee/api/send \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"content": "YOUR_RENDERED_MARKDOWN",
"senderName": "Your Name",
"senderEmail": "you@company.com",
"recipientName": "Recipient",
"recipientEmail": "recipient@email.com"
}'What happens next
- Signbee converts the markdown to a professional PDF
- Recipient gets an email with a signing link
- Both parties sign with an animated handwriting signature
- Both receive the signed PDF with a SHA-256 certificate
All signatures are legally binding under the ESIGN Act, eIDAS, and ECA.
More details
A photography contract protects both the photographer and the client by defining expectations before anyone picks up a camera. Without one, disputes over image rights, deliverable timelines, and cancellation fees are common — and expensive.
Copyright fundamentals photographers must understand: The photographer owns the copyright by default. Hiring a photographer does not transfer copyright — it only grants the licence specified in the contract. This surprises many clients who assume paying for a shoot means owning the images. The contract must explicitly state what rights the client receives.
Licence types for photography: - Personal use: Client can print and display images privately. No commercial or promotional use. - Commercial use: Client can use images for advertising, marketing, social media, and business purposes. - Exclusive: Only the client may use the images. The photographer cannot licence them elsewhere. - Non-exclusive: Both the photographer and client may use the images. The photographer can sell to stock libraries or other clients. - Full buyout: All rights transfer to the client permanently. Commands the highest fee.
Essential contract clauses: 1. Shoot details — Date, time, location, duration, and number of setups or looks. Overtime rates for shoots that run long. 2. Deliverables — Number of edited images, delivery format (high-res, web, print), turnaround time, and whether RAW files are included (most photographers exclude RAWs). 3. Retouching — What's included in the base fee vs what costs extra. Basic colour correction is standard; advanced retouching is typically additional. 4. Cancellation — The client should pay a cancellation fee if they cancel within a specified period (typically 48-72 hours). The photographer has blocked the date and turned away other work. 5. Weather contingency — For outdoor shoots, define the backup date or indoor alternative. 6. Model releases — If recognisable people appear in images, separate model releases are needed for commercial use.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the photos — the photographer or the client?
The photographer owns the copyright by default. Paying for a shoot grants the client a licence to use the images as specified in the contract, not ownership of the copyright. Full copyright transfer (buyout) requires explicit contractual language and typically commands a higher fee.
Should photography contracts include RAW files?
Most professional photographers exclude RAW files from standard deliverables. RAWs are unfinished work and require professional editing. If the client needs RAWs, negotiate this separately — it typically costs 50-100% more than the standard fee.
Can photography contracts be signed electronically?
Yes. Photography contracts are valid with electronic signatures under ESIGN (US), eIDAS (EU), and ECA (UK). E-signing before the shoot ensures both parties agree on deliverables, licensing, and fees before any work begins.
Related resources
Send this template for signing — free, no credit card.