Week 12: Understanding Photography & Videography Contracts
Learn the fundamentals of creating contracts
Contracts aren’t just paperwork — they’re one of the most important tools you’ll use as a photographer or videographer. In this lesson, you’ll learn how contracts protect your work, set clear expectations with clients, and help you run your business professionally and confidently.
What You’ll Learn This Week
Lesson 12 - Understanding Photography & Videography Contracts
As you move from learning the craft into working with real clients, contracts become one of the most important tools in your business. This lesson focuses on protecting your time, your work, and your income - while helping clients clearly understand what to expect.
Contracts don’t have to be intimidating or overly complicated. In this lesson, we break them down in a clear, practical way so you understand what actually matters and how to use them confidently in real-world situations.
By the end of this lesson, you will understand:
Why contracts are essential for photographers and videographers at every level
What key sections every photo or video contract should include
How to clearly define project scope and deliverables
How payment terms, deposits, and due dates protect your business
How cancellation and rescheduling policies work
The basics of usage rights, copyright, and portfolio use
When and why model or property releases are needed
How liability and force majeure clauses protect you
Different ways to create contracts (DIY, platforms, and AI-assisted tools)
How to present contracts professionally and confidently to clients
This lesson is about clarity, protection, and professionalism - giving you the confidence to move forward with clients knowing everyone is on the same page.
Lesson 12 Downloads
These are the digital versions of the handouts you’ll receive in class. Download and save these to your computer for easy reference.
If you misplace your printed handout, this is your backup copy.
🎥 Lesson 12 Video
This is your Lesson 12 video walkthrough. Watch this before class to prepare, or revisit it afterward to reinforce what we covered in the studio.
Take notes as you watch. Don’t worry about mastering everything at once - we’ll build this skill together through hands-on practice.
Week 12 Action Plan (No Formal Assignment)
Because this lesson focuses on business foundations rather than technical skills, there is no formal assignment this week. Instead, this is a light, optional exercise designed to help you think ahead and apply what you’ve learned in a practical, low-pressure way.
Optional Exercise
Draft a simple contract outline for a future photo or video shoot.
This does not need to be a finished or legally perfect contract. The goal is simply to begin thinking through what you would want to include when working with a real client.
As you create your outline, consider:
What type of work are you most interested in? (portraits, events, weddings, business content, etc.)
What services would you typically provide?
What deliverables would you want clearly defined?
How would you want payment handled?
What boundaries or protections feel most important to you?
Focus On Identifying What Matters Most
Rather than writing detailed legal language, focus on identifying the key clauses that matter most for the kind of work you want to do, such as:
Scope of work
Deliverables
Payment terms
Cancellation or rescheduling policies
Usage rights and portfolio use
You can write this as:
A simple bullet list
Section headings only
Or a rough draft in Word, Pages, or Google Docs
Why This Matters
Thinking through contracts early helps you:
Avoid awkward conversations later
Feel more confident when clients ask questions
Protect your time and creative work
Present yourself professionally, even when you’re just starting out
This exercise is for you, not for grading or submission. It’s simply a way to start building business awareness alongside your creative skills.
When your assignment file is added here, you’ll also find:
Full instructions
What to submit
How to export your files (if needed)
✅ Download the assignment below once it’s available.
Next Lesson
When you're ready, continue on to the next lesson.