James Thomas Photography – Terms of Service

BOOKING FEE: A non-refundable booking fee of £200 is charged when the client signs the contract, this fee is deducted (in full) from the TOTAL price.

RESERVATION: Upon your signature, James Thomas Photography will reserve the time and date agreed upon, and will not make other reservations for that time and date. For this reason, the Reservation booking fee is non-refundable, even if the date is changed or the wedding cancelled for any reason; including acts of God, fire, strike and/or extreme weather. The Reservation Booking Fee is to be paid at time of signing the contract. The Reservation Booking Fee is applied towards the contracted wedding photography package. THE CLIENT understands and agrees that the entire amount owed for the wedding photography package described in the contract is due 14 days before the wedding day

CANCELLATION: In the event that THE CLIENT cancels the contracted services for wedding photography outlined in this contract before the wedding ceremony takes place, the booking fee will be forfeited. James Thomas Photography agrees to refund all additional paid money (less expenditures for which receipts will be provided), to THE CLIENT.

EVENT GUIDE: THE CLIENT will be responsible for (or have someone designated for this responsibility) identifying people/objects of whom/which specific photographs are desired. The photographer will NOT be held accountable for not photographing desired people if there is no one to assist in identifying or gathering people for the photograph(s).

90 MINUTE WINDOW: The bride and/or groom agree to set aside at least 30 minutes before the commencement of the wedding ceremony and a 60 minute time frame afterward for photographs that cannot be obtained during the ceremony or reception. The 60 minutes following the ceremony includes group photographs. If either the bride’s or groom’s late arrival (or any other reason outside of the photographer’s control) prevents this 90 minute window from occurring, James Thomas Photography shall not be held liable for failure to take desired photographs.

COOPERATION: The parties agree to positive cooperation and communication for the best possible result within the definition of this assignment. James Thomas Photography is not responsible for key individuals’ failure to be present or to cooperate during photography sessions, neither for missed images due to details not revealed to James Thomas Photography. James Thomas Photography recommends that THE CLIENT designate an “event guide” (see PRE-EVENT CONSULTATION above) to point out important individuals to the photographer, whom THE CLIENT wishes to include in informal or candid photographs.

SHOOTING TIME / ADDITIONS: The photography schedule and selected methodology are designed to accomplish the goals and wishes of THE CLIENT in a manner enjoyed by all parties involved. THE CLIENT and James Thomas Photography agree that positive cooperation and punctuality are therefore essential. Shooting commences at the scheduled time. Should the ceremony start late due to any reason whatsoever, James Thomas Photography will not be held liable for any photographs not taken.

HOUSE RULES: The photographer is limited by the guidelines of the ceremony official or the reception site management. THE CLIENT agrees to accept the technical results of their imposition on the photographer. Negotiation with the officials for moderation of guidelines is THE CLIENT’S responsibility; James Thomas Photography will offer technical recommendations only.

DIGITAL NEGATIVES, PRINTS and COPYRIGHTS: The photographs, digital negatives or prints produced by James Thomas Photography are protected by Copyright Law (all rights reserved) and may not be reproduced in any manner without James Thomas Photography’s explicit written permission. Upon final payment by THE CLIENT, limited copyright ownership of the resulting images may be transferred to THE CLIENT under the following conditions:

  • The JPEG images are the property of THE CLIENT for personal use and for the purposes of the reproduction and distribution of photographs to friends and relatives.
  • THE CLIENT must obtain written permission from, and compensate James Thomas Photography prior to an event where THE CLIENT, THE CLIENT’S friends or relatives publish or sell the photographs for profit.

MODEL RELEASE: THE CLIENT hereby assigns and grants James Thomas Photography and its legal representatives the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish photographs of THE CLIENT or in which THE CLIENT may be included, for editorial, trade, advertising or any other purpose and in any manner and medium; to alter the same without restriction; and to copyright the same. THE CLIENT hereby releases James Thomas Photography and its legal representatives and assigns from all claims and liability relating to said photographs. It is agreed that James Thomas Photography may display and use the photographs taken for advertising, display, website and internet promotion, photographic contests, public display such as in shopping centres, photography books, photography instructional books, store fronts, window displays, studio display, television advertising, magazine advertising and any other purpose thought proper by James Thomas Photography.

EXCLUSIVITY / GUEST PHOTOGRAPHY: It is understood that James Thomas Photography will act as the sole and exclusive wedding photographer. Because of the fact that flashes from guest’s cameras may ruin shots taken by James Thomas Photography, THE CLIENT acknowledges that they are responsible for notifying all of their guests that guest photography is not permitted at any time while the professional photographer are in session. James Thomas Photography suggests that a separate notice be placed in the invitations. The formal photography time is for the exclusive use of James Thomas Photography to capture the formal wedding portraits. Because of time constraints and the need for subjects to pay full attention to the professional photographer, guest photography cannot be permitted. James Thomas Photography will allow guests to take snapshots during the processional and recessional and during candid events at the venue during the time James Thomas Photography’s equipment is being packed up. In return for this consideration James Thomas Photography insists no other guest photography take place while James Thomas Photography is working. No other guest/photographer using professional equipment will be allowed by James Thomas Photography at any time during the wedding. James Thomas Photography reserves the right to stop any photographic services paid for and leave the function should any other person take photographs with any professional equipment – with the booking fee being forfeited.

GUEST COOPERATION: THE CLIENT is responsible for the conduct of their guests. THE CLIENT will direct all other service providers (florist, DJ, caterer, etc.) to provide any needed information and cooperation to the photographer. Coordination with other service providers is necessary to complete all the photography sessions as scheduled. THE CLIENT should share the photography schedule with other service providers to make sure that there is no conflict in times. In addition, events during the wedding day should be planned to make the best use of time from all vendors.

James Thomas Photography will not tolerate verbally or physically abusive behaviour, nor will it share its time or compete with guest photographers for the attention of the subjects. Unchecked guest conduct that interferes with photography may seriously affect the quality of the photographs taken and increase the number of times photos must be re-taken. If THE CLIENT is unable to control the conduct of their guests, resulting in an unacceptable degree of misconduct, or if the conduct of any of their guests damages the equipment of the photographer, it will result in the early or immediate departure of the photographer. THE CLIENT understands that in such an event, no refunds will be granted.

 James Thomas Photography will at all times endeavour to obtain the best images possible for the client but will also be bound by the house rules of the venues where the wedding is taking place which in some cases my limit the angles of images and the use of flash photography.

LIMIT OF LIABILITY: In the unlikely event of severe medical, natural, or other emergencies, it may be necessary to retain an alternative photographer. James Thomas Photography will make every effort to secure a replacement photographer able and/or willing to provide a similar package as chosen in this contract at the same/similar tariff. If such a situation should occur and a suitable replacement is not found, responsibility and liability is limited to the return of all payments received for the event package.

James Thomas Photography takes the utmost care with respect to exposure, transportation and processing of photographs; including using professional grade equipment and professional grade backup equipment. However, in the unlikely event of THE CLIENT’S photographs being lost, stolen or destroyed for reasons within or beyond James Thomas Photography‘s control, the latter’s liability is limited to the return of all payments received for the event package. The limit of liability shall not exceed the contract price stated herein. The limit of liability for a partial loss of originals shall be a prorated amount of the exposures lost based on the percentage of total number of originals.

NON-GUARANTEE: Although every possible care will be taken to produce photographs of all important and special events during the wedding, James Thomas Photography cannot place an unconditional guarantee on the above. James Thomas Photography will not be held responsible for any ruined photographs due to guests’ (or any other) flashes; or any other ruined photographs due to any other cause in or outside of James Thomas Photography’s control.

PERFORMANCE: The performance of this contract on behalf of James Thomas Photography shall be contingent upon acts of God, flood, fire, warfare, government laws or regulations, electrical failure, strikes by suppliers, and/or conditions beyond its control.

SEVERABILITY: If any provision of this agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable under the law, the validity of this agreement as a whole shall not be affected, and the other provisions of the agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

AMENDMENTS: This contract has been freely negotiated and shall be recognised as the entirety of the agreement. Only those changes or modifications specifically placed in writing, attached, dated and signed by THE CLIENT and James Thomas Photography at the time of acceptance of this contract shall be recognised as amendments to this contract.