Although it is possible to obtain a basic booking form for general wedding use, I recommend you design one to fit in with your own specific needs. The booking form can be regarded as a method by which the photographer can record the place, date and time of the wedding together with the names and addresses of the clients.
One alternative to this is a complicated contract with lots of small print and get out clauses. It is my opinion that this can be detrimental to sales and can introduce a degree of formality that affects your relationship with the couple. However some photographers feel the need for protection by using a contract. If you do, my advice is keep it simple.
At the time of booking you need to know the names and addresses of the bride and groom and principally one or more telephone contact numbers. The time of the service, the date and the place of the ceremony are vital, together with the location of the reception. You should also enquire as to the length of service.
The form should be unambiguous on what they are booking. If you offer packages, what does it contain, how many images, is an album included? Are there any obscured charges they need to know about? What are the conditions of business? These should be on the form. They should be clear, to the point and above all, unambiguous. What is paid, and when? When is the balance payable?
The fact that you own the copyright and the client may not legally have the images copied should be there too. I believe that adding too much restrictive small print clauses makes the situation potentially problematic. It alerts the client to the fact that things may go wrong. If a problem is going to arise, a series of get out clauses will not automatically be useful to you. If you do decide to write in a list of get out clauses, have a solicitor advise you first. I always advise the client that should I be sick on the day I will provide another photographer.
The final decision is yours, however in all my years of being a wedding photographer I have never once had to refer back to a contract. This has always been down to good communication with my clients.
Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have written a comprehensive guide on wedding and group photography.
Visit my site for more information Wedding and Group Photography Guide
Bobby is a photographer and author. He has been commissioned to shoot thousands of events, including weddings.
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