What contracts, terms, agreements, etc do you use?

[waple]

I know I can do a google search and find tons of contracts and stuff, but there will so many from so many different people. I am more interested in learning from a group of people that I trust more than a random serach.

So what contracts do you use for your clients? Do different types of shoots require differnt contracts or terms? I mainly shoot events and products, but am getting some people interested in portraits. Therefore, I'd like to find out what I should be doing to not only protect myself, but also what other procedures and practices other photographers follow.

I just had a situation come up where I told a customer I'd shoot her for a session fee only since the photo would be used on a magazine cover. But she wanted to submit 4 different shots to the magazine and she had 3 other product shots that I took from a different session that are going in the magazine too. I shot myself in the foot because she doesn't want to pay for anything beyond the session fee, which I understand since I didn't tell her she had to. So I want to start doing things the correct way from here on out.

Any advice, links, experiences?

Thanks much!

[fintastic]

Good question I to need some advice on this matter allso
John

[Worm324]

Well, I'm in the same boat as you 2.

I just made up a proposal for a possible Portfolio of a show car however. It basically just has the prices and copyright info on it. Not really much else though. It's not really a contract either now that I think about it.

Jay

[heartseye]

Guys...think about what you WANT....and write the contract/agreement yourselves... Bob

[Nikonfreak]

One good place to start, if you want to go the cheaper route, is the book

"Business and Legal Forms for Photographers" by Tad Crawford
Co published with the American Society of Media Photographers.

The book contains examples of contracts that are boilerplate, basic types of contracts, but you can modify them to suit your taste. I strongly encourage you to read them, understand them, and go over them with an attorney prior to using any legal form. It's just good business sense since laws vary from State to State and since these contracts typically identify all your rights during a dispute, you really want a local attorney to give you language that will stick.

Julio