Photography Contract (Agreement) Template for Freelance Photographers

This isn’t just a contract, it’s genuinely the moment you stop playing small and start protecting the business you’re building. Made for Australian photographers running their own business.

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You need this client contract (service agreement) if you’re a freelance, wedding or professional photographer and:

✔️ You’re ready to level-up on the professionalism, have clearer boundaries and get bigger jobs;

✔️ You’re fed-up with having to tell clients that you won’t provide RAW files or certain other things (your service exclusions;

✔️ You want to be paid on time and is done with chasing late payments because your bank details were contained in an initial email to the client which is buried deep in their inbox;

✔️ You recently spotted brands and/or clients using your images in ways without you absolutely did not agree to;

✔️ You have had a commercial client ask about your intellectual property and you’ve fumbled in your response as you have no clear clauses in your contract;

✔️ You have had an uneasy feeling of sending a contract you hope is solid and which you copied off someone else….

✔️ You don’t currently have any paperwork and you book shoots over DMs and/or emails.

What’s Inside the Template

✔️ Customisable project and event details: e.g. client name, event, location, shoot type and what it will involve, edited services included;
✔️ Payment terms including deposits, GST and cancellation policies;
✔️ Copyright and licensing clauses to protect your creative work;
✔️ Clear inclusions (and customisable exclusions, like RAW files if you wish) + optional editing/extras to avoid scope creep;
✔️ Delivery timelines for edited photos;
✔️ Travel fees and location-specific conditions;
✔️ Model/property release obligations; and
✔️ Disclaimers for issues beyond your control (e.g. late arrivals, weather).

What happens when you don’t have the right legal documents?

✔️ Clients pushing for extra edits or reshoot, and you feel like you can’t say no;
✔️ Last-minute cancellations that leave you out of pocket;
✔️ Awkward money conversations and chasing unpaid invoices;
✔️ Seeing your images used commercially without permission;
✔️ Disputes over what was actually included — “I thought that was part of the package?”;
✔️ Hours of back-and-forth emails trying to resolve conflict;
✔️ Crazy legal fees if things escalate (client disputes can easily cost $5,000–$20,000+)
✔️ Stress and self-doubt that take the joy out of your work;
✔️ Feeling undervalued and unsure how to enforce boundaries

A legally-sound Photography Contract Template for Australian photographers. Protect your work, set boundaries, and get paid on time. Instant download.
Photography contract template for freelance photographers

Format and Ease of Use

➤ Delivered to you as a Microsoft Word document, this template is ready to edit and ready to go out into the world after your customisation!

➤ It comes with a one-page introduction sheet on how-to-use the agreement and contains red text prompts to guide you through key details (you change this red text to black text when you’re finished).

One difficult client can cost you more than this template ever will, both financially and emotionally.

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MEET THE LAWYER BEHIND THE TEMPLATE

Progressive legal services on the Surf Coast, based in Torquay. Modern, lawyer-drafted contracts and advice for creatives and small businesses.

Bex McAllum

Hi, I’m Bex (Rebecca), the lawyer behind Jan Juc Legal and a passionate supporter of creatives doing business.

If you’d like an extra layer of confidence before sending your contract (because remember, downloading the agreements does not equal legal advice), you might wish to book an additional 30-minute ($220) or 60-minute review session ($440) add-on where I’ll walk you through your agreement, help you tailor it to your business, and answer any “is this normal?” questions that come up.

Most creatives say this is the part that turns “Ok cool, I understand it” into “Oh wow, I actually really love this agreement and feel so empowered.”

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • SCOPE + SERVICES

    Defines exactly what’s included in your shoot so expectations are clear from the start. Includes the event date and time, as well as how additional edits are handled.

  • PAYMENT TERMS THAT PROTECT YOU

    Covers covers deposits, due dates, late fees, and other key information - like what happens if a client cancels.

  • CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

    Sets out fair rules for cancellations and when you get to keep deposits.

  • INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION + USAGE

    Protects your ownership of your photographers while granting clients a clear and limited licence for image use. You get to customise where they will use the photos.

  • LIABILITY PROTECTION

    Limits your responsibility for things beyond your control (like weather or no-shows).

  • LOOKS PROFESSIONAL

    Legally formatted, fully editable, and easy to customise for your photography business.

  • EDITING + DELIVERY

    Clarifies what level of editing is included, delivery timelines, and your creative discretion.

  • CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

    It covers punctuality, permits, identifying key people to protograph and giving you access to the location.

  • DISPUTE RESOLUTION

    Provides for a pathway for resolving issues if things ever go off track.

OUR COMMUNITY

  • Katey Shearer Photography

    THIS IS PERFECT AND AMAZING.

    Jan Juc Legal’s Photography contract gave me so much clarity. It is so important as creatives to protect our work, especially in this digital age. So having an angel like Bex to help is incredible. Something that we all need and should absolutely get! I couldn't recommend it, and her guidance enough.

  • Annalise Booker

    Bex is one of the most helpful, down-to-earth lawyers I have worked with. She really genuinely cares about supporting small businesses. We have been particularly grateful for her ready to use templates. We worked with Bex on the launch of our new website and downloaded the Website Essentials Bundle. It was so easy and cost effective. Thank you!

  • Lucy Hall

    I bought a bundle of legal templates for my new coaching business. They were easy to adapt to my business needs and personal style. Jan Juc Lega provided excellent support in my decision to use the templates. These documents give me confidence that I am operating my business with integrity. I recommend them!

  • Ella Samuel

    I engaged Bex at Jan Jac Legal for legal templates when launching my e-commerce business and chose the E-Commerce Online Store Essentials Bundle. Bex was super helpful, always responsive, and made it clear I could reach out anytime with questions. The templates were straightforward and made setting up my website Terms & Conditions so easy.

The contract every Australian photographer needs. Protect your copyright, secure payments, and avoid client disputes with this pro template.
A photography agreement template with a marble textured background and a sheet of paper with printed text in the top right corner.
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> A Note Before You Download

The format of the agreement is in Microsoft Word.

Remember, this template is general legal information only. It’s designed for Australian photographers running standard shoots and events—but if your business involves:

  • Complex licensing or publication rights

  • International clients or cross-border delivery

  • Sensitive subject matter or extensive work with minors

  • Studio teams or multi-shooter contracts

…..you should really consider getting tailored legal advice and a custom legal agreement. Without knowing your specific situation, we are unable to promise you that this template fits your business.

> Legal Disclaimer

Jan Juc Legal is a law firm, but when you purchase and use this downloadable product, we’re not acting as your lawyer or providing tailored legal advice. If you wish to seek specific legal advice, you will need to speak to one of our lawyers by booking an appointment.

All copyright in this document belongs to Jan Juc Legal. You are granted a one-use, non-exclusive, royalty-free, revocable licence to use this document in your business or for personal use. You may not copy, share, reproduce, or use this document for commercial resale or in competition with Jan Juc Legal.

QUESTIONS

  • Once you purchase, you’ll receive immediate access to your editable Microsoft Word doc

    • You will receive a link to Download the file (your link expires after 24 hours—so save it straight away!);

    • Read the instructions page and personalise the agreement with your branding and details;

    • Use the red-text prompts as guidance throughout;

    • Reuse for future shoots—just update as needed

  • This is left open for you to specify when you customise the agreement. E.g. you could say “none” or you could include 2 rounds of revision.

  • You insert details into the agreement relevant to your client e.g. their name, the location of the shoot, details of what is included and excluded in your services, cancellation details and how they can use your images. It is easy to identify where you need to insert this as it is indicated in red text.

  • Nope. Jan Juc Legal is a law firm, but when you purchase and use this downloadable product, we’re not acting as your lawyer or providing tailored legal advice to your specific advice. This document is a general-use legal tool. If you wish to seek legal advice, you need to make a booking with us via our website.

  • Yes, you can! There is a box for you to describe the services you will be providing and you will put a lot of those details in that box.

  • No. This template is general legal information. It’s designed for start-up Australian photographers running standard shoots and event,but if your business involves:

    • Complex licensing or publication rights

    • International clients or cross-border delivery

    • Sensitive subject matter or extensive work with minors

    • Studio teams or multi-shooter contracts

    ….you should consider getting tailored legal advice and a custom legal agreement drafted by us. These start at $1490 (incl. GST).

  • We love helping those who are unsure. And while this template is a strong starting point, it is important to know that it hasn’t been tailored to your unique photography services. If you’d like legal help reviewing or adapting it to your specific circumstances, we offer:

    • 30 minute review ($220) or 60-minute legal review sessions ($440);

    • Custom photography contracts – from $1490 (incl GST) tailored to your services, clients.

    Book here or email hello@janjuclegal.com.au for any questions.