## 💵 PAYMENTS & SESSION FEES
A non-refundable deposit of **25% of the total session cost** is required at the time of booking to reserve your session. This amount is applied toward your final balance.
**Cash Payment Exception:** Clients who choose to pay in cash are exempt from the 25% booking deposit requirement. However, cash-payment bookings are accepted at the Photographer’s discretion, and the requested session date and time are not guaranteed until confirmed by the Photographer. Payment in full is due at the session.
The remaining balance is due on or before the date of the session.
Accepted payment methods: Cash, Credit/Debit Card (5% card fee), Venmo, and Cash App. Checks are not accepted.
For family sessions, the package includes up to four (4) participants. Additional participants are subject to a **$15 fee per person**, payable prior to or at the session.
**Overtime Policy:** If a session extends beyond the scheduled time and the Photographer is available, additional time may be approved verbally and billed at **$0.75 per minute**, with a minimum extension of 15 minutes. This amount will be added to the final invoice. (This typically does not apply unless additional coverage is requested.)
All session fees must be paid in full before final images are delivered unless otherwise agreed to in writing.
**Rush Delivery Option:**
* Base fee: **$20**
* Additional fee: **$7 per day** for delivery earlier than the standard 14-day turnaround.
Rush editing must be approved in advance, is subject to availability, and must be paid in full before expedited editing begins.
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## 📅 SCHEDULING, CANCELLATIONS & RESCHEDULING
The deposit is non-refundable, including in cases of no-shows, cancellations within 48 hours of the session, or late arrivals exceeding 15 minutes.
Clients may request to reschedule at least 48 hours in advance. Approval is at the Photographer’s discretion.
Rescheduling due to weather, emergencies, or illness may be granted without penalty at the Photographer’s discretion.
A 15-minute grace period is provided for late arrivals. Arrivals beyond 15 minutes may result in cancellation without refund or continuation with a late fee.
Reshoots requested for reasons unrelated to Photographer error (including styling choices, wardrobe, expressions, posing preferences, or personal preference) will require a new appointment or additional fee.
The Photographer reserves the right to reschedule due to illness, emergency, severe weather, equipment failure, or other circumstances beyond their reasonable control.
The Photographer is not liable for weather-related delays but will make reasonable efforts to reschedule.
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## 📂 IMAGE DELIVERY, GALLERY ACCESS & FILE HANDLING
Clients will receive professionally edited, high-resolution digital images selected by the Photographer from the session.
The Photographer does **not guarantee a minimum or maximum number of delivered images**. The final quantity will depend on the session and the Photographer’s professional judgment regarding quality and usability.
Final galleries will be delivered through an online gallery within **14 calendar days** unless otherwise agreed.
RAW or unedited files will not be provided.
The Photographer alone determines which images are edited and delivered. Not every image captured during the session will be included.
Rush delivery must be pre-approved, paid in full, and remains subject to availability.
Final galleries will be delivered only to the booking client or legal guardian of a minor unless otherwise authorized in writing.
Clients are strongly encouraged to download and back up their images promptly. The Photographer is not responsible for maintaining archives beyond **30 days** after gallery delivery.
The Photographer is not responsible for missed deadlines resulting from last-minute bookings or failure to communicate time-sensitive needs before booking.
Clients are discouraged from taking screenshots of gallery previews, as doing so reduces image quality.
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## 🎨 EDITING STYLE & CREATIVE DISCRETION
By booking with Branded Shutter Photography, clients acknowledge that they have reviewed the Photographer’s portfolio and are hiring the Photographer based on their unique artistic style and editing approach.
Images will be edited according to the Photographer’s creative vision, including adjustments to color, lighting, contrast, tone, cropping, composition, and overall presentation.
RAW or unedited files will not be delivered.
Editing decisions, image selection, composition, posing, and artistic judgment are made solely by the Photographer. Additional editing requests may be declined or may incur additional fees.
Dissatisfaction based on artistic style, editing preferences, pose selection, expressions, weather conditions, wardrobe choices, location conditions, or other subjective preferences does not constitute Photographer error and is not grounds for refunds or complimentary reshoots.
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## 💰 REFUND POLICY
Photography services are custom, time-based services. Once services have been rendered, **all payments are final**.
Refunds will not be issued due to dissatisfaction with artistic style, editing choices, image selection, personal appearance, wardrobe, weather conditions beyond the Photographer’s control, participant cooperation, or other subjective preferences.
In the event the Photographer is unable to fulfill the session due to total equipment failure, unrecoverable image loss, or cancellation initiated solely by the Photographer without the ability to reschedule, liability shall be limited to a refund of amounts paid.
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## 📘 COPYRIGHT & USAGE RIGHTS
All delivered images remain the intellectual property and copyrighted work of the Photographer.
Clients receive a personal-use license for the delivered images.
Images may not be sold, altered for commercial use, entered into contests, or used for advertising, branding, or promotional purposes without prior written permission.
Commercial licensing requires a separate written agreement and additional fees.
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## 📍 LOCATION ACCESS & TRAVEL FEES
Clients are responsible for obtaining permission and paying any location admission or permit fees unless otherwise agreed.
Travel within the Photographer’s included service area may be covered. Sessions outside that area may incur additional travel fees, which will be discussed before booking confirmation.
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## 🧍 CLIENT CONDUCT & SESSION EXPECTATIONS
Clients should communicate any physical limitations or comfort boundaries before or during the session.
The Photographer reserves the right to establish and enforce professional boundaries.
Sessions may be paused or terminated without refund due to unsafe, disrespectful, threatening, or inappropriate behavior.
Parents or legal guardians remain responsible for supervising minors throughout the session.
The Photographer is not responsible for missed moments caused by lateness, venue restrictions, or uncooperative participants.
Guests using personal cameras or phones may interfere with the session, and the Photographer is not responsible for any resulting impact on image quality.
No additional photographers or videographers are permitted without prior written approval.
Clients are responsible for arriving prepared with desired hair, makeup, wardrobe, and styling.
When sharing images online, clients are encouraged to tag **@branded.shutter.photography** and avoid applying filters or edits that substantially alter the Photographer’s work.
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## 📷 MODEL RELEASE
Unless otherwise indicated in writing by the Client, permission is granted for Branded Shutter Photography to use photographs and behind-the-scenes content from the session for portfolio, website, social media, advertising, marketing, publications, and promotional purposes without compensation.
Clients who do not wish to grant such permission must notify the Photographer in writing before the session.
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## 🧒 MINOR POLICY
If minors participate in the session, the signing parent or legal guardian confirms they possess legal authority to consent on the minor’s behalf.
The Photographer may communicate directly with minors during the session for posing and comfort purposes, while final decisions remain with the legal guardian.
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## ⚖️ LIABILITY, SAFETY & LEGAL TERMS
In the unlikely event of total equipment failure, catastrophic data loss, or cancellation by the Photographer without the opportunity to reschedule, liability shall be limited to a refund of amounts paid.
Clients and guests participate voluntarily and assume responsibility for their own safety and personal property during the session.
The Photographer is not liable for injuries, accidents, illnesses, property damage, or losses occurring before, during, or after the session.
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Michigan.
No verbal modifications shall be valid. Any amendments to this Agreement must be made in writing and agreed to by both parties.
These terms do NOT apply to weddings.
**BY BOOKING A SESSION OR SIGNING A CONTRACT, THE CLIENT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THEY HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.**