Photography Contracts
February 4th, 2009The importance of contracts is huuuuuge ! Do any of you use them ? Are you putting the correct info on your contract ? What questions do you have about them ? Do you have a cancelation policy ?
Tags: clients, contracts, photography contracts
February 10th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
I have used a contract for some weddings that I have done, but I am still trying to develop one for commercial/model shoots. Perhaps a sample of your contract might help?
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February 10th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Hi Chris,
Thank you for your question. I would be happy to provide a sample. I’m just trying to think how to do it. I will email you one for sure. I guess I could upload a PDF of a contract instead of a photo so that everyone would be able to download it.
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February 24th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Hi Jason ,
I am a new photographer and I have been asked to do my first model portfolio , what makes a perfect model portfolio ? what do you recomend me.
Thanks
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February 25th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Hi Daniela,
Thank you for joining my blog !
There really is no such thing as “the perfect” model portfolio. A better word is EFFECTIVE. It all depends on what look your model has. If he or she has a high fashion look then you will want to shoot some high fashion. If they have a commercial look then you want to shoot more lifestyle kind of images. And you can shoot a combo of in studio and outdoors as well.
Now, what you need to remember when shooting for a model portfolio is keep the make up simple and not over the top. You can do a nice smokey eye but if you do eyes, don’t do lips. The model agency is essentially selling their model to potential clients. So if the model has too much make up on or the background is distracting then the model will not “shine.”
If you have a website you can register to a great online site where you can access model agencies portfolios from all over the world. I suggest you register, it’s free, and look through all the agencies to get an idea of what they like. The site is http://www.modelwire.com. If you have anymore questions please don’t hesitate to ask !
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February 27th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
This post has good and valuable information, thank you.
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April 16th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
first things firs i admire the fact that you are willing to help out all who need it that shows your good heart and character. thanks, well me and a friend just started a photography business my question to you is in your opinion what is the most important advice you can give me on running a successful business, and getting clients.
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April 20th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Hey Art,
Thank you very much for your compliments. You are very welcome. I am always willing to share so please don’t be shy and ask as many questions or post comments as often as you wish
My best advice to anyone getting started in photography is to PERFECT your technical skills and fundamentals and know your genre of photography and keep up with the changing trends. So in my case I know fashion which includes obviously clothing for women and men, make up and models.
My other advice is to be disciplined on set and with the business side of photography. You must take control of your crew and your life and keep that control.
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April 21st, 2009 at 9:29 am
thank you for that Mr. Christopher that very helpful. i was just looking at the picture you took in the Las Vegas desert with the Caddy and the model standing in front i was wondering what wide angle lenz did you use for that shoot,and do you have a favorite lenz that you prefer for you indoor fashion shoots and your outdoor fashion shoot, and why.
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April 22nd, 2009 at 8:49 am
You’re welcome Art. On that shot I used a Canon 28-70mm 2.8 lens. I shot it at 28mm so I was up close to the model. I did that so the viewer could see the subjects as well as the surroundings and make an impact of being alone upon the vastness of the desert.
I don’t really have a favorite lens for anything. I use whichever lens would be appropriate to the visual effect I want to achieve. For example, on that model in front of the car shot I could have used an 85mm lens which would narrow my field of view but then I would not get that feeling of vastness I wanted. I must say I do like using my 85mm for most half body shots either inside or outside.
In my private workshop I go over all of this and more. I demonstrate with a live model and a real shoot.
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October 27th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Hi Jason, hi everyone…
I am looking for information on legal rights that a photographer (professional, amature, beginner) has towards the images that he or she captures. I still consider my self a beginner to amateur photographer .
The following is the situation that I am in:
A co-worker of mine has a maternity lingerie online business which she requires photo shoots in order to show the latest designs, this is done thru out each year.
She hires professional models thru an agency. The photographer that she used to hire no longer lives close to her location. She found out that I was doing photography and that I am trying to build photography as a weekend business. I did one photo shoot for her and she loved the outcome (non-paid, this was a favor and to see how she liked my work).
If I continue to shoot for her I was offered to have my website developed and hosted by someone she knows.
I felt uncomfortable during the shoot since I was giving the RAW files to her to view on her computer. The RAW files were copied to her hard drive and they are still there. Two days later I spoke to her since I needed to make sure that she understood that any images that I take as the photographer I own the copyright and not her.
She claims that I do not own the copyright that she does since she is hiring the models thru an agency and contracts are being signed between the models, the agency and her. She claims that the contracts indicate that the images will be used solely for her business.
As far as I know the photographer owns the copyright not the client not the person who you shoot for.
Please give me some insight on how this copyright works.
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December 29th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Jason, Did you ever get a chance to put your contract out? I would like to see a real one. I have been reading a lot on ASMP site trying to come up with one,
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Jason Christopher Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Hi Torrey,
I’m glad you mentioned that. I have been trying to figure out a way to make a pdf available but I don’t know how I would go about that. If you know how or anyone out there knows how I would do that please let me know. The other thing I was thinking of was making the contract a jpg from the Word doc. Then you can download the jpg. What are your thoughts on this ? For the first time I’m the one asking for advice lol !
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January 13th, 2010 at 6:31 am
Do you need to convert the word to a pdf? there are a few online places i use that do fine. If its just getting the pdf upload to the blog, then i am not sure. A jpg would work just fine since we would or should
rewrite it for our needs.
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Jason Christopher Reply:
January 13th, 2010 at 11:19 am
Hi Torrey,
You know what ? That’s a good point. I will just upload a jpg and you all can rewrite it to your needs. Thank you !
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