Southern Cherished Moments Photography

Business Policies

BUSINESS HOURS

Our regular booking business hours are 9am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays.   However, if you are unable to schedule during that time we can schedule outside these hours.

Your Session

Your session is very important to us. If you are running late, please telephone us. If you are more than 20 minutes late without notifying us, we will assume you are not coming.

We offer on-location sessions. Location sessions can be held inside or outside, in your home or at an alternative location. Please discuss your choice of location with Southern Cherished Moments Photography at booking, as the time of day will affect where you can go. If you are unsure, we can suggest several locations.

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOGRAPHER

Please do not bring your own camera, camcorder or any other recording devices to your session, or allow any family members to do so. If this situation occurs, the photographer reserves the right to terminate the session. If your session is terminated in this way, there will be no refund given.

I WOULD LIKE TO CANCEL MY SESSION, CAN I GET MY RETAINER BACK?

We work on a 50% retainer system that is non-refundable. Your 50% retainer covers our consultation, emails, phone calls, contract writing, planning and administrative fees. So we do ask that you are sure you would like to proceed prior to scheduling your appointment. As long as it is prior to 72 hours before your scheduled session, you may transfer your retainer to someone else in the form of a gift certificate if you decide not to have your session.

A DEPOSIT of 50% is due at time of booking your session and will be applied to the chosen package services. This fee secures the Date/ Time of your customized photo session and is non-refundable if you fail to show up for your session or if you are more than 20 minuets late arriving for your session (unless prior communication and arrangements have been made). The deposit will be deducted to the package balance.

CANCELLATION/RESCHEDULING

If the need arises to cancel your appointment, please do so at least 72 hours prior to your session. If less than 72 hours’ notice is given, then the retainer fee will be forfeited. If you, or anyone being photographed, are feeling sick we do suggest rescheduling. Sick people generally do not enjoy being photographed and this will show in your portraits. If you have to reschedule more than two times, you will loose your retainer portion towards your final purchase. This is to keep from excessive rescheduling.

Late Policy

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE ARE LATE TO OUR SESSION, CAN WE RESCHEDULE?

We strongly suggest that you plan for the unexpected accident or traffic jam. Since most of our sessions are held at sunset we are on a tight time frame with lighting. If you are up to 10-15 minutes late for your session we will continue with the session but you will loose the time during your session. If you are more than 20 minutes late, that is considered a no-show and you loose your retainer. You may reschedule again but you will have to pay the 50% retainer again to secure your new date.

I WOULD LIKE TO CANCEL MY SESSION, CAN I GET MY RETAUNER BACK?

We work on a 50% retainer system that is non-refundable. Your 50% retainer covers our consultation, emails, phone calls, contract writing, planning and administrative fees. So we do ask that you are sure you would like to proceed prior to scheduling your appointment. As long as it is prior to 72 hours before your scheduled session, you may transfer your retainer to someone else in the form of a gift certificate if you decide not to have your session.

RE-SHOOTS

Reshoots are offered at the discretion of the photographer only and will not incur an additional session fee. We do not offer to reshoot for unfortunate personal choices such as hair, clothing, etc.

RETOUCHING

All images receive basic retouching.

COPYRIGHT

Copyright for all images is the sole property of Southern Cherished Moments Photography and protected by Federal Copyright Law. It is ILLEGAL to copy, scan, print or reproduce these images in any way without written permission from the photographer. This includes scanning or downloading images for the purposes of emailing or printing them at home. Doing so may result in fines up to $150,000.

RAW IMAGES

We do not provide RAW images. We believe in delivering a finished product and shoot with the end product in mind. RAW images need to be edited for a final product and we prohibit any manipulation that is not our own as they would not reflect our work.

THE RIGHTS TO THE IMAGES

For personal photography sessions (weddings, fashion, boudoir, family, etc.), you are paying for our creative time and a license for print and personal use. While we will provide a print release for digital files you have purchased, all rights to the images remain the photographers. This is common industry standards to avoid misuse and unauthorized manipulation of the images that would misrepresent our brand and compromise our reputation. It also protects the photographers from having the images printed commercially without photo credit or compensation for their work. Anything beyond reprinting and personal use will require our written permission or the purchase of a Commercial Image License.

If you have purchased a commercial photography session (defined by any session that uses the images for profit through marketing of ones self or business commercially), You will be provided a 5 year Commercial Image License on the images purchased to use for marketing, social media and other materials of the like. These sessions usually start at $2200+, require both a strategy meeting and a formal contract in place prior to moving forward. If you would like to have an extended or endless Commercial Image License that can be negotiated during our strategy meeting and the terms of your license will be included in your contract.

If you have had a personal photography session and would now like to use an image for commercial purposes, you will have to purchase a Commercial Image License. A 5 year Commercial Image License starts at $800 per image. There can be negotiation on multiple images, extended and endless Commercial Image Licensing. 

Commercial Image Licensing is for marketing/ promotion purposes (magazines, billboards etc.) Any and all resale of an image/s for profit is strictly prohibited unless there is a full purchase of copyrights from the Photographer which would be negotiated with an attorney.

USAGE RIGHTS

The photographer has the exclusive right to make reproductions. The photographer shall only make reproductions for the client or for use in the photographer’s portfolio, advertising, samples, website and display within or outside their studio. The photographer also has the right to enter these images into photographic competitions, art exhibitions or publications. No identifying names will be given in connection with usage of any image. We understand that sometimes there are circumstances where you may wish for your images not to be used for any of these purposes, and your privacy is important to us.  Please notify the photographer if this is the case. No fees, royalties, or payment of any kind will be owed in connection with any usage made of any image captured or created by Southern Cherished Moments Photography.

WAIVER OF LIABILITY

If the photographer cannot fulfill the terms stated in the portrait agreement, due to causes beyond the control of the parties involved, the client shall have no further liability in respect to the agreement.

If photographic materials are lost or damaged, without fault on the part of either party, the limitation will also apply. In such cases, Southern Cherished Moments Photography is not liable. The client releases Southern Cherished Moments Photography, and employees of Southern Cherished Moments Photography, from all liabilities, claims and damages that may result from any accidents or incidents that may happen during the session, except to the extent that the accident or incident is the direct cause of the photographer’s willful and careless conduct. Please see our reshoot policy.

ARTISTIC SELECTION

Many images are captured during the session. Afterwards, each image is put through a careful selection process. You will see only the images that meet the high standards of the photographer. Images with eyes closed, unflattering poses and duplicate images are removed permanently after the photographer completes this selection process. The selection process is entirely the right of the photographer and part of the custom portrait process.

 ORDERING

Full payment is due at the time of ordering. Orders paid for by check will not be placed until the check has cleared. Each image is printed to order and cannot be changed or canceled after payment has been made. All sales are final. Sales tax of 9% will be added to your order total. Shipping is extra for Add On’s only.  Please allow 2 - 4 weeks for delivery of your portraits.

PRINT & PRODUCT PRICES

Prices are subject to change at any time. The prices in effect at the time of your session will be valid for 60 days after your session. Shipping is added to Add On’s only. 

EDITING YOUR IMAGES

We stand behind our images as works of art that represent the quality standards for our company. For this reason, we prohibit any manipulation to our images that is not our own, as it would not reflect our style or brand. Please understand that we take our service to you as a professional very seriously and you have hired us for our quality, artistry, expertise, and reputation. In order to protect our reputation and the quality of work that we provide to our clients, we must maintain full control over the presentation of the images. Depending on which type of session you have purchased, you will be provided either a Print Lisence or Commercial Image Lisence, we still retain the copyrights to all of our images.

 REPRINTS

We keep all images on file for 1 year after your initial order. There is a $100 minimum order on reprints. You may place a reprint order at any time.

 PAYMENT

 We accept cash, check, Mastercard, Visa and Discover. A $45 fee will be charged for all returned checks. Payment plans are available. Ask your photographer for details.

 REFERRAL PROGRAM

For each NEW client referred to us, existing clients can earn incentives and credits to use at their next session. There is no limit to the credits existing clients can earn. New clients must present mention the client that referred them at the time of appointment.

 By signing this Business Policy form, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to the terms herein. You agree that you are 18 years old or older.