Terms and Conditions of Samantha Alvarado Photography), hereafter referred to as PHOTOGRAPHER. (By obtaining services you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions of this agreement.)
Sole Right
It is understood that the PHOTOGRAPHER is the exclusive official photographer retained to perform the photographic services requested in this Contract.
Session Fees
All session fees must be paid at the time of booking in order for your session to be considered booked (unless you are booking a GrowWithMe Session). This is considered a non-refundable retainer fee collected to reserve your date. Your session fee covers up to one hour of on-location session time with the PHOTOGRAPHER, minor retouching and artistic editing of the images, as determined by the photographer, and a proofing gallery of 15-30 images.
Purchase Requirement
While there is no minimum purchase requirement, you must purchase your prints through Samantha Alvarado Photography.
Refunds/Gift Certificates
Due to the custom nature of your portraits all purchases are final and no refunds will be made. Gift certificates, special offers and other credits are non-transferrable and are not redeemable for cash.
Sales Tax
Illinois State Sales Tax and Local Sales Tax totaling 9.25% will be added to your invoice. This applies to all session fees, prints and other product orders.
Travel Fees
Locations more than 15 miles from the PHOTOGRAPHER’s office location in Oak Lawn, IL may require an additional travel fee.
Weather Conditions
If, in the opinion of the PHOTOGRAPHER, inclement weather or other adverse conditions prevent the creation of a portrait meeting the artistic standards of the PHOTOGRAPHER, the PHOTOGRAPHER may elect to use an alternate location or to reschedule the portrait session.
Balances
No part of any order, including previews will be delivered until the balance is paid in full.
Cancellation/Late Policy
If the CLIENT cancels this agreement fourteen (14) or more calendar days before the session date, deposit paid to the PHOTOGRAPHER will be transferable to a newly scheduled date, within 30 days. A session is deemed cancelled if the client arrives 15 minutes past the scheduled session time. The session fee is forfeited and a reschedule is not allowed without a new session fee. The PHOTOGRAPHER reserves the right to reschedule due to illness, equipment malfunction, or other circumstances beyond her control.
Photographic Materials
Client is aware that color dyes in photography may fade and discolor over time due to the inherent qualities of dye, and CLIENT releases PHOTOGRAPHER from any liability for any claims whatsoever based upon fading or discoloration due to such inherent qualities.
Proofs
All proofs are available in a private proofing gallery within 2-3 weeks of your session date (unless otherwise noted). Client will only be provided with 15-30 photos (depending on session type) that meet the artistic standards of the PHOTOGRAPHER. Client has access to their proofing gallery for 14 days. All print/product orders must be placed within this time. After the 14 days a $25 fee will be applied to reopen your gallery.
Notice of Copyright
It is ILLEGAL to copy or reproduce these photographs elsewhere without the PHOTOGRAPHER’s permission, and violators of this Federal Law will be subject to its civil and criminal penalties. A limited print release is supplied with the purchase of your session digital files to print your portraits for your own personal use. The print release does not allow publication of your portraits (i.e. entering in contests), selling or altering your images without the PHOTOGRAPHER’s permission. Portraits may not be scanned, copied, or changed in any way.
Liability
The PHOTOGRAPHER is not responsible for any injuries incurred by any of the members of the party being photographed or anyone else who may be attending a session as a guest. Clients will be responsible for their children, their guests and themselves, and release the PHOTOGRAPHER from any claims.
Archive
All images are archived after 30 days of session, except for promotional purposes. The PHOTOGRAPHER is not responsible for loss or damage of digital files for circumstances out of her control.
Digital Files
If you choose to purchase digital files of your session you will receive only the individual files in which you purchase, a limited print release, instructions on how to best print your high-resolution files, and watermarked low-resolution files suitable for online sharing. Digital files are not to be altered or edited in any way, nor are they to be resold.
PHOTOGRAPHER does not and cannot guarantee quality of photographs printed from purchased digital files at a nonprofessional lab.
Model Release
The PHOTOGRAPHER reserves the right to use images created under this contract for advertising, display, publication or other purposes. The Client signing this contract warrants that he or shee has actual authority to agree to the use of the likeness of all persons included in the portrait in this manner and shall indemnify and defend the PHOTOGRAPHER in the event of litigation arising out of such use. Negatives, digital files and previews remain the exclusive property of the PHOTOGRAPHER
Modification of Contract
This Contract incorporates the entire understanding of the parties and is governed by the laws of Illinois. Any modifications of this Contract must be in writing and signed by both parties.