Events & Vendors

Free Photography Contract Template (PDF)

A photography or videography contract covers coverage, deliverables, and usage rights for event or commercial photo and video work — including who owns the copyright and what the client is licensed to do with the final files.

When to use it

Use this for any paid photography or videography work — a wedding, corporate event, product shoot, or commercial project — especially to nail down delivery timing and usage rights before the shoot, not after.

What's typically included

• Services description
• Event details
• Fees and deposit
• Deliverables and timeline
• Usage and copyright
• Cancellation and rescheduling
• Liability
• Governing law

How to fill it in

• Spell out exactly what the client receives (number of edited photos, video length, raw files or not) and the delivery timeline — "some photos, eventually" is the source of most post-shoot friction.
• Read the usage and copyright section closely before sending — it grants the client a license to use the delivered files while the photographer keeps copyright, and lets the photographer use the work for portfolio/promotion unless the client opts out; adjust that if your arrangement is different.
• If this is a wedding specifically, consider the dedicated wedding photography contract template instead, which has wedding-specific sections this general version doesn't.

This template is a general starting point, not legal advice — customize it and have it reviewed for your situation.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns the photos or video after the shoot?

By default in this template, the photographer/videographer retains copyright and the client receives a license to use the delivered files for the stated purpose — this is standard in the industry but can be changed if you've agreed to a full copyright transfer instead.

Can the photographer use the images in their own portfolio?

Yes, by default, unless the client opts out in writing — if a client wants their images kept private, note that explicitly in the usage section rather than assuming it.

Is an electronically signed photography contract legally binding?

Yes, under the U.S. ESIGN Act and state UETA laws, the same as any other contract.