Photographer Contract Edits

Oh wow, that is definitely not typical to what the photographers I spoke with offer. We had a contract with a photographer pre-pandemic, and after multiple postponements have had to find another photographer, and both of them had all of these things very explicitly outlined in their contracts. They both guaranteed replacement photographers if they were unable to fulfill their duties for any reason, and if a replacement photographer was not available, then they wouldn’t refund 100% of the monies we had paid them.

I would definitely request that a section be added to clarify what would happen if the photographer cannot make it to your wedding date or if they cancel on you! Something along the lines of, "If the photographer cancels for any reason, they must either send a comparable replacement photographer OR refund all funds paid (including any nonrefundable deposits)."

View Quoted Comment

Right, I definitely need to add that!

View Quoted Comment

Thank you! I also kind of want the option to choose a new photographer entirely if they cancel on me months ahead without a force majeure reason.

I don't think I feel comfortable signing with the no refunds language being so strict.

View Quoted Comment I would definitely not sign the contract with the current language. You could word it as, "If the photographer is unable to photograph the wedding for any reason, the client has the option of either having the original photographer find a comparable replacement photographer to instead photograph the wedding (replacement photographer must be approved by the client), or receive a full refund of all monies paid (including any nonrefundable deposits). If the original photographer cannot find an equivalent replacement photographer, or if the client does not agree to the suggested replacement photographer, then all funds paid (including any nonrefundable deposits) must be returned to the client."

View Quoted Comment

Thank you!!

I read my photographer contract and it has a Default section, "XVI. Default. In the event of default under this Agreement, the defaulted Party shall reimburse the non-defaulting Party or Parties for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the non-defaulting Party or Parties in connection with the default, including, without limitation, attorney’s fees."
So I'm assuming that goes either way, if I cancel or if she cancels the other is responsible for refunding anything exchanged.

View Quoted Comment

That would be good to add, nice and general. Thank you!

My photographer was much clearer in his contract about cancellations and sending a trusted replacement if necessary. I wouldn’t trust anybody who isn’t upfront with that info tbh

View Quoted Comment

Ours states that they will send a trusted replacement, but it doesn't say what would happen if they are somehow unable to send a replacement :/

Just wanted to follow up and say that the photographer agreed to all of these edits. Thank you, everyone!