This agreement constitutes an order for commercial photography and / or videography services, including the taking of pictures and / or video as agreed to by both parties: The Studio (James O’Connor) and The Client (You!). Unless otherwise specified, it is understood that any and all rights to proofs, final or sample prints or video thereof shall remain the property of The Studio and may be used for the Studio's advertising, web site portfolio, display or other promotional purposes thought proper by The Studio to promote the Studio's products and services and will not be used for financial gain without your permission and the permission of any property owners / decorators who's work may be represented therein and is subsequently protected by international copyright law.

If The Studio cannot perform this Agreement in whole or in part due to a fire or other casualty, acts of God or nature or terror, or other cause beyond the control of the parties or due to Photographer's illness or injury, then The Studio will return all fees to the Client(s) but shall have no further liability with respect to this Agreement. This limitation on liability shall also apply in the event that photographic / video materials are damaged in processing, lost through camera or computer malfunction, or otherwise lost or damaged without fault on the part of The Studio. Client(s) agree that an entire event or production cannot be replicated, reenacted or repeated for the purpose of a re-shoot and limits The Studio's liability to the amount paid by the Client (typically the deposit) under this contract.

It’s very difficult for The Studio to work to my best when you have family and friends who are “helping” to get some pictures for you. It is understood and agreed that the bride and groom will be responsible for asking guests to give The Studio the room exclusive access to shooting portraits and during the ceremony. Of course, during the party it’s impossible to control who’s taking pictures - you’re not expected to ask all your friends to put away their cameras.

We leave every wedding at 11pm. Usually by this time we have several hundred images of people in party mode. If you particularly want a shot of “the bride and groom departing” then we can stage that before I leave. Note: most of the wedding galleries that you see on this site were produced under these circumstances. If you prefer to keep me shooting beyond 11pm for any reason, a $450 p/hr rate will apply.

If the date of your shoot is important - secure it with a deposit. On signing of this agreement by both parties hereto, The Studio will reserve the time agreed upon and will not make another reservation for the specific time frame. For this reason, all deposits are non-refundable even if the date is changed or if the shoot becomes cancelled for any reason. A deposit of 50% of the estimate provided is due at the signing of this agreement and no photography will take place and no rights are granted until timely payment of the deposit is made.

The service fee is the total amount due for the photography and / or video coverage you have chosen which covers photography, videography and basic post production. Additional items include the wedding album, prints and an hourly rate that will apply to all photography and / or videography done beyond the maximum times in the price schedule and all photography done beyond 11pm on the day of your wedding. Other reasonable charges include travel to your wedding (if it’s in another country!) While the deposit must be paid as soon as you’re ready to secure your date, all remaining fees must be paid upon receipt of the wedding essentials package (CDs and proofs).

All Wedding Photography is provided as low-resolution digital files with a small but visible watermark. These files are uploaded to the studio's web site and made available to your guests for print-ordering (at your discretion). The files are also provided to you on a CD or DVD for personal enjoyment. This does not however, entitle you to make prints, sell, or license the digital files. If you want to purchase a high-resolution copy of the files for making your own prints and / or albums, there is a fee of 20% of the total photography coverage cost. Please note that even in such cases, copyright remains with the studio. Note: the main reason we watermark the files is that they are identifiable when uploaded to web sites such as FaceBook. FaceBook's terms and conditions actually transfer ownership of all photos and video to that site when you upload to it (it's a shaky legal issue) - so please respect our watermark and do not crop it out.

If your wedding is at some official location and they have a “no photography policy” that I didn’t know about then we have a problem! The photographer is limited by the guidelines of the ceremony official or reception site management. The Client agrees to accept the technical results of their imposition on the photographer. Negotiation with the officials for moderation of guidelines is The Client’s responsibility.

Copyright remains with The Studio. Except as otherwise specifically provided in writing, all Photographs, Video footage and rights contained therein, including copyright, remain the sole and exclusive properties of The Studio.

I usually come away with photographs of all the key people and most other guests but it’s best to assign someone who’ll be able to point these people out to me. The parties agree to cheerful cooperation and communication for the best possible result within the definition of this assignment. The photographer will not be held accountable for not photographing desired people if there is no one to assist in identifying people or gathering people for photograph's.

The Client assumes full liability for its principles, employees, agents, affiliates, successors and assigns (including without limitation messengers and freelance researchers) for loss, damage or misuse of the Photographs / Video. Client shall indemnify The Studio and it’s photographers and videographers against all claims, liability, damages and expenses incurred by The Studio and it’s photographers and videographers in connection with any third party claim arising out of use of said material hereunder.

Usually, wedding photographers will use this contract to secure your permission to make the photographs available for commercial sale. I leave that up to you and we’ll talk about it after you see the shots. If you then wish to sign a model release I can make some images available for sale via stock photography sites. Sale of those images will result in your being paid a “modeling fee” and of course, everlasting fame...