The below policies apply to all clients, unless otherwise agreed upon. By booking a session with Love you to the moon & back Photography, you agree to and will abide by these policies.
These policies were last updated in May 2016. I reserve the right to change or update these policies at any time.
Session Fee & Edits
The flat rate session fee (due at time of session) includes my time for the session AND my editing time, plus at least 20 full-resolution edited digital image files (unless quanity is otherwise specified or mini sessions 5-15 images). I charge for additional edits (cropping a few photos for orders) after sending my clients the proof gallery. The reason is, additional edits take additional time away from my family and the other endeavors I pursue to help support my family. I edit every single image you see individually, removing blemishes, adjusting color tones, getting rid of distractions in the background – the whole nine yards. While photography is my passion, it’s also my job. I help support my family with the money I earn. So, there simply needs to be compensation for my time. Charges depend on the edits requested.
Prints / Image Files
The flat rate session fee you pay at the time of session includes at least 20 full-resolution edited digital image files (unless quanity is otherwise specified or mini sessions 5-15 images). You will be required to sign an image release at the time of booking or the day of session prior to files being released to you. Once the files are edited and the release is signed, I will send the files to you in a compressed/zipped file folder via email so that you have immediate delivery.
Image Release for Digital Image Files
The signing of an image release is required for every session – files will not be provided until said release is signed and returned. This allows me to maintain the copyright to the images (including the requirement that any images posted online contain a link to my Facebook page or website), but for you to print, share and post them. Again, this release is for printing rights only — I do not transfer ownership of the copyright, which means I will still use the images for my portfolio, etc.
In regard to having prints made, it’s important to note that many consumer grade printing services (i.e. Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, Sam’s Club, etc.) do not provide professional quality prints. As such, I highly recommend using Black River Imaging (my personal favorite for awesome quality at a great price AND they are locally owned and operated!), Mpix, Nations Photo Lab or Bay Photo. All of these websites have quality prints for comparable prices. Anything you get through Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Sam’s, Snapfish, Shutterfly and the like will NOT look like the images you received from me. I am not responsible for the quality of the prints produced if you choose to print them with a company other than the four I recommend.
It’s also important to note that many consumer image printing companies do not offer the cropping and resizing capabilities that companies that work with professional photographers do. Many times you will need to pre-crop the image in order for it to look right because of the changes in aspect ratio.
Booking Sessions
Sessions must be booked at least two weeks out, though 30 days is absolutely preferred. There may be occasions when I post on my Facebook page that I have an open session in the next few days and you’re welcome to book then, but otherwise, please plan in advance.
While newborn sessions are booked at the last minute, since we don’t quite know when Baby will arrive, expectant parents should contact me a few weeks out from their due date so I can at least be aware its coming up and try and keep session times open.
Also, it is NOT my responsibility to confirm your photo sessions with me. I am one person running this business, with many sessions a year. When you book a session with me, I put it on my calendar. That seals the deal for me, and I will be at the agreed upon locations for the date/time we agreed. Should you choose to confirm with me a week or so out, by all means, please do. But please don’t expect that I will be calling to confirm – it just isn’t feasible for me to try and call everyone for that purpose. I only call if weather or personal matters interfere with our scheduled session time and it needs to be rescheduled.
Deposits
Deposits are REQUIRED for ALL sessions (including Limited Edition/Mini Sessions). HALF of your session TOTAL is DUE at BOOKING to reserve your spot, the rest is due in FULL at the time of session. Payments can be made in person…Cash, Check, or Card are all accepted (there is a $2 transaction fee for all credit card transactions) or payments can be made online via PayPal, message me and I will send you an invoice.
If you are a NO SHOW for your session you forfeit your deposit, I do understand kiddos get sick, things happen but call me before I drive all the way to a location and wait on you. You have 24 hours before your session to notify me that you will not be able to make it, If you have to reschedule for any reason you have 3 weeks (from original session) to reschedule or you forfeit your deposit. Deposit will be applied to rescheduled sessions if guidelines above are followed.
Gift Certificates / Vouchers
There will absolutely not be any extensions on gift certificates or vouchers obtained for my services, unless discussed and agreed upon BEFORE purchase, and thus reflected on the voucher. Most gift certificates and vouchers have a significant time frame for use, ranging from 3 months to a year. It is the voucher holder’s responsibility to schedule a session prior to the expiration date, without exception. Too many people have tried to take advantage of me with this, and I simply can’t allow that anymore.
Locations
A deposit for the session plus traveling fee, is required at time of booking for locations more than 20 miles from Springfield.
Elements Out of my Control
Love you to the moon & back Photography, Rosella Renee Blakely, facilities/locations, and/or the property owners in which photographs are taken shall not be held liable for any injuries or lost/stolen items suffered by the clients.
I am not responsible if the subjects I’m photographing, whether 3 months old or 85 years old, are not cooperative. It is typical for children between the ages of one and four to be resistant to having their picture taken by a stranger – I am prepared for this and 95% of the time I can get a smile or two. However, if you see the images and are upset because Junior didn’t smile in a single one of them, despite my many attempts to get him to relax and have fun, you may schedule another session and pay the full session fee required. I will not provide a replacement session for free because your child (or husband) did not smile. Similarly, sessions will not be redone for free in the instance of an out of place hair or blemishes — things that can often be fixed in post process.
Additionally, if I call you concerned about the weather (too cold, may rain, etc) and express that we may want to reschedule, and you request that we continue with the session as planned, I’m not responsible if children are too cold to cooperate, or we get rained out and have to cut the session early. I’ve been doing this for awhile now and I’m a pretty good judge of when weather conditions aren’t on our side. So your best bet is to reschedule when the need arises.
Finally, I keep several backups of all images I take. I don’t erase them from my camera’s memory card until they are fully edited. Once they are edited, I put them all on a disc, so they are not only on my external hard drive (which I never get rid of), but will be always and forever in my off site backup. That being said, there is always the ever so slight possibility that both my memory card AND external hard drive suffer damage at the same time prior to editing and backup – like I said, REALLY REALLY SLIGHT chance. This is something completely out of my control and, while I will do everything in my power to recover the images, I am not responsible for their loss. I will offer to redo your session, and that is the best I can do for you under such circumstances.