CONTRACT

Thank you for choosing, me, Cari Griffith Photography (CGP) to tell your wedding day story! I truly adore my job, and will do everything I can to serve you and your guests in a way that makes your day nothing but joyful and memorable. This contract serves as an informational guide for services, situations, and liabilities involved with wedding and event photography. All of the terms listed below are based on industry standards, and are put in place to protect all parties involved. I strive to conduct my business in a way that is honest, professional, and community driven. In every aspect of my business and personal life, I hold myself to high ethical and moral standards. I have a degree in Public Relations and Photojournalism, and over ten years of professional experience in documentation, photograph editing and processing, and event coordinating. My goal is for you to feel 100% confident (and EXCITED) about your decision to work with me, and these terms are part of that assurance. This contract acts as a binding agreement, and by making your initial deposit and filling out the form below, you signal your agreement to all of the contract terms. Thanks again for entrusting me with documenting your memories. Three cheers for true love!

(And here’s the legal stuff)

SERVICES OFFERED

You have booked CGP because of her specific style, artistic vision, and unique personal approach to wedding photography. Stylistic representation of your day requires trust, and CGP will carefully follow through with the documentation of your day in a way that reflects the authentic nature of each wedding day. Stylistic discretion is made by CGP with each and every event, and an understanding is agreed upon beforehand about those expectations.

The Package Terms, as listed in the Wedding Package Guide and the Invoice, will be the only services offered by CGP for your wedding day unless a written agreement is made between both parties. If the event requires additional hours of coverage, services, or add-on items not previously listed on the invoice, those services will be billed after the wedding day, unless agreed upon by CGP in advance. Additional services, hours of coverage, or add-on items are at the sole discretion of CGP and may not be available in all circumstances. The client agrees to pay for additional services if requested after the balance has been paid or during the event.

Unless agreed upon in advance, CGP and any assistants, shall be the exclusive photographer for the wedding day. Friends, relatives, and attendants should not interfere with the photographic services offered by CGP, especially during formal portrait sessions and the ceremony. It shall be the responsibility of the client to ensure that friends, relatives, and attendants are respectful of the investment made in professional wedding photography, and politely ask that guests refrain from taking photographs during formal sessions, special moments, and the ceremony. The photographer is not responsible for compromised photographs due to guests interfering with cell phones, flashes, or positioning. The photographer is not responsible for unfavorable lighting, decorations, background, weather, schedule delays, or complications that may interfere with the photographic services offered. CGP will do her best to ensure that the day flows smoothly no matter the circumstances, however situations may arise that are outside of her control, as is the nature of event photography.

CGP can refer Couples to additional preferred vendors for venues, florals, video, DJs, catering, etc. However, CGP is not responsible for the performance, packages, or offerings of any referred vendors.

SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The Contract and services offered are between CGP and the Couple getting married. Communication about needs, requests, and plans should remain between the Couple and CGP, unless additional parties have been authorized and agreed upon in advance. Family members, guests, wedding planners, venues, or additional coordinating parties, should not interfere with services offered between CGP and the Couple. This includes communication after the wedding about galleries, wish lists, wants, or needs. If an additional party has questions about galleries, images, prints, products, or additional items, CGP will include the Couple in all communications, to avoid conflict, harassment, and unnecessary involvement. This is to protect and safe guard the relationships and interactions of all parties.

CGP and her associates retain the right to work in a safe and harassment-free environment during the wedding day and in communication throughout the process. CGP or her associates reserve the right to avoid harassment, inappropriate behavior or remarks, negligent behavior, sexual advances, and confronting behavior from guests, family members, vendors, or other involved parties. In the event that a situation occurs, CGP and her associates will inform the Couple, and if the situation is not resolved, CGP and her associates reserve the right to leave the event, or terminate communication with the involved party. In weddings where alcohol is involved, if the party and/or guest’s drunkenness escalates to an unsafe working environment, CGP reserves the right to step outside of the situation until it has calmed to a safe working environment.

For wedding events over 6 hours, it is legally required for CGP and her assistants to take one small break to eat, refuel, and change memory cards or adjust gear. Usually the break takes place while the couple and wedding party are eating, to avoid missing any major moments following dinner. For weddings over 6 hours, a meal is to be provided to CGP and her associates. If the venue or catering vendor has restrictions on vendors being provided meals, please let CGP know so that additional measures can be taken to ensure a proper meal is acquired, and additional time may be needed. This is a great question to ask vendors when booking, and if additional arrangements need to be made, we can plan for such beforehand.

PAYMENT TERMS

Two payment options are available for wedding packages. Option One: $800 deposit with the final balance due one month prior to the wedding. Or a $400 deposit, with a monthly installment plan. The initial deposit is non-refundable under all circumstances, including wedding cancelation. The remaining total amount is to be paid in full no later than one month before the wedding date. Payments can be mailed in check or cash to 22 Ellis Drive, Jackson, TN 38301 or sent via Square Cash App ($CariGriffith), Business Venmo (@CariGriffithPhotography) or PayPal (CariPGriffith@gmail.com). Travel and accommodation reimbursement will be arranged prior to the final payment, and will be updated in the invoice. CGP recognizes how important it is to invest in photography that lasts a lifetime, and understands the weight of budgeting for an event. CGP is happy to work with the client to create a plan that works for them.

In the event of the cancellation of the wedding, the deposit and any payments made prior to the cancellation are non-refundable. Payments not yet made are therefore canceled, and the date will be released immediately. In the event of a cancellation, the client may exchange the amount already paid towards additional sessions with CGP within 2 years of payment. Re-scheduled events will be subject to updated session rates and availability. No refunds will be given under any circumstances.

LIMIT OF LIABILITY

Although the utmost care will be taken with the digital files, CGP and her assistants limit any liability for loss, damage, or failure to deliver photographs for any reason outside of their control such as but not limited to: natural disaster, theft, unforeseen damage, technological failure, etc. Each moment in a wedding is invaluable; CGP and her assistants will do everything in their power to capture each of the moments beautifully. However, circumstances beyond their control may prevent a specific moment from being captured, which is the nature of event photography, and requires understanding on all sides. No refunds will be given due to client satisfaction with services/products offered, but CGP welcomes any thoughts and concerns and will respectfully and professionally work through any problem that arrises. If CGP is unable to deliver the complete wedding day gallery due to an extremely rare and unimaginable situation, a full refund will be given, and additional photographic arrangements will be made to attempt to compensate for the special moments that were lost. In any event, the photographer’s liability will not exceed the contracted price stated in the invoice.

If for any reason CGP is unable to perform her contracted duties on the wedding day due to severe illness or injury, serious family circumstances, natural disaster, personal discretion etc., she will secure a quality and experienced photographer to take her place. She will arrange for the travel, payment, and consultation with said photographer, to ensure that the photographs will reflect the desires expressed by the client. A qualified individual will be present to take your wedding photos, no matter the circumstance.

If, after booking, CGP finds out that her family is growing and will no longer be able to perform the services at the date of the event due to pregnancy, complication, or due date, CGP will discuss options with the client about refunding payments, referrals, or the hiring of qualified associate photographer to document the event.

CGP is not responsible for injuries, property damage, event interruptions, or any other occurrence during photo sessions during, before, or after the event. CGP is protected and insured by State Farm, and can provide a Certificate of Liability to any venues or vendors as needed.

DELIVERY OF WEDDING IMAGES

As a part of every CGP wedding package, clients are given full printing and personal rights to all edited images, to use as desired for printing, social media, or personal purposes. However, in doing so, the photographer retains the rights to use the photographs for promotional, editorial, stock photography, and professional purposes as needed. CGP retains ownership of the original copyright on the images, and does not need permission from the client to use images in any circumstance. If for reasons of sensitivity or privacy, you wish for CGP to refrain from using images in her portfolio or online, please notify CGP prior to the wedding date and she will respect your wishes. All images are delivered without a watermark (because they’re lame and no one likes them.) When posting on social media, tag Cari Griffith Photography, or post a link to www.CariGriffith.com. Once the services are completed, leave a review on CGP’s Facebook page if possible! Referrals and reviews are the greatest gift in the photography world.

CGP agrees to have the final selection of wedding photographs delivered within a reasonable period of time from the event date. Exact date of delivery varies with each wedding and season, but the gallery delivery is typically within 8-10 weeks time from the wedding date, with a preview being delivered within one week. If you would not like your preview posted online, please let CGP know prior to the event and accommodations will be made to privately view the preview. Often, additional sneak previews of favorite moments are sent along the way, so that the client can see the work in progress. Final USB print packages, if ordered, take additional time, and will be arranged after the delivery of the gallery.

All images once they are delivered are final, in terms of content, number of images, editing, and style. CGP minimally processes each image to correct color, exposure, and cropping, and does not believe in drastically altering the appearance of clients, guests, or locations beyond mild cosmetic corrections. If the client would like an image altered after the delivery of the photographs, it is under CGP’s discretion, and is subject to additional hourly editing rates of $35/ hr. Additional filters, crops, edits, and amendments are highly discouraged and will negatively affect the general public’s view of CGP’s work. CGP does not limit the number of images she sends with each wedding, and always delivers all of the best images, therefore RAW or unedited images are not available for purchase.

CGP takes special care to archive all wedding files indefinitely; however, backup images are not guaranteed forever. Immediately upon receiving the images clients are encouraged to store an additional copy of the wedding files in a secure location to ensure backup for years to come.

Wedding albums contain images chosen by CGP, unless arranged beforehand, and will be ordered and created by CGP through Artifact Uprising. Wedding albums may require addi tional input from the client, and additional time for creation and shipping. Typically 3-6 weeks after the delivery of the images. Additional copies of wedding albums can be ordered by the client at cost from Artifact Uprising.

Additional flash drives of images are $50, unless the drive arrives damaged or if files are missing. Flash drives that arrive damaged or unreadable will be replaced immediately at no cost.

EXPENSES

Travel costs will be calculated prior to the final payment, and are under the discretion of CGP. Travel for Memphis, Jackson, and Nashville require no additional travel fees. Typically, CGP’s travel rate is $25 an hour, which covers gas, food, and any expenses. It may be necessary to arrange hotel or Air BnB accommodations for trips requiring an overnight stay. If CGP has friends or relatives in the area, she will do her best to find the most affordable means of accommodation. The client may also book a hotel where the rest of the wedding party is staying, or an Air BnB in the area. If additional accommodations are needed for a second photographer, CGP will note all expenses prior to the final payment. CGP will work with the client to arrange the most convenient and affordable travel options. Details will be discussed, arranged, and reimbursed or paid for no later than one month prior to the wedding date.

COVID POLICY: Since Covid-19 has stuck around much longer than we all would have hoped, it’s necessary to lay out my policies for covid interruption. In the event that CGP or people directly in contact with her are diagnosed with COVID-19, or are showing symptoms, CGP will immediately contact you to facilitate hiring an associate photographer to photograph your event. As long as cases continue to rise, CGP will wear a mask and take precautions during your event to protect herself and your guests. If at any point during the event CGP feels that her and her associates need to need to leave a space due to Covid-19 safety precautions and increased risk, they retain the right to do so. I encourage you to stay up to date on local and federal regulations regarding weddings, event size, and CDC health recommendations for events so we can do our part in keeping everyone safe! CGP is fully vaccinated and boosted, and is taking regular testing precautions to ensure the safety of herself and her clients. In the event that the Couple, Wedding Party, Family, or Guests are diagnosed with Covid-19 within two weeks prior to the wedding, or two weeks post the wedding, CGP must be notified for her safety and those around her.

If you plan to reschedule or postpone due to Covid-19, please contact CGP immediately. If you would like to have a reception at a later date, and you would be willing to choose an off season date (not a Saturday/Sunday in May/October), you can transfer part of your remaining balance to the new event, with a very reduced rate for additional coverage. Retainer fees and any payments made if the event is fully canceled with less than one month prior are non-refundable. Events fully cancelled 2+ months away from the wedding date qualify for a partial refund. CGP has waived all rescheduling fees for couples impacted by Covid, and is doing her best to work with couples to make the best of a very difficult situation.

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Whew! That’s all folks! Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have questions about any of the items listed in this contract. I recognize that the terms are lengthy, and I am happy to explain any of the items in further detail!

I am overjoyed that you chose me as your wedding photographer, and will do everything I can to make your wedding photos look exactly how you’ve dreamed!
I’m here for you and for your big day!

Updated: December 13th, 2021