Photography Contract (Agreement) Template for 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.
$365 (incl GST)
You need this client contract / service agreement if you’re a photographer who…
✔️ is ready to level-up on the professionalism, have clearer boundaries and get bigger jobs;
✔️ is fed-up with having to tell clients that you won’t provide RAW files;
✔️wants 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;
✔️recently spotted brands and clients using your images in ways without you absolutely did not agree to;
✔️ has 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;
✔️has had an uneasy feeling of sending a contract you hope is solid and which you copied off someone else….
Feel like you can relate? Then we honestly think that you would LOVE this contract you can use with clients.
Stop settling for “hmm this kinda works”.
Every time you send a professional contract, you are indicating that you know your value and you play in a bigger league.
What’s Inside the Agreement 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 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 a solid Agreement?
✔️ 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
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.
MEET THE LAWYER BEHIND THE TEMPLATE
Bex McAllum
Hi, I’m Bex (Rebecca), the lawyer behind Jan Juc Legal. And yep, you can actually book a time to talk to me.
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.
Think of it as a calm, judgment-free space to get clarity, so that your contract not only protects you, but feels right for how you work.
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
Don’t just take our word for it…
Risks associated with with free downloads, AI generated contracts, low cost templates and the contract you might have stolen from your competitor’s website….
✔ Low cost $0 to $50
✗ Uncertainty if it actually applies in Australia and reflects the appropriate Australian laws - many are drafted for the US and UK
✗ Missing key clauses that actually protect you
✗ Easy to put together with the help of Chat GPT but you spend hours tweaking and wondering if it’s ok (by the way, AI is not a reliable lawyer)
✗ Doesn’t allow you to fully customise and customise scope of services for each client
✗ Looks unprofessional and obviously drafted on a budget
✗ Low peace of mind and you are often left second guessing
✗ Whoever prepared it doesn’t love creatives and photographers like we do!
Instead, we offer templates which are:
✔ Affordable and worth the peace of mind at $365
✔ Strong protection level: covers payments, deposits, usage rights, cancellations, liability
✔ Important intellectual property protections and clear clauses around edits and usage
✔ Ready-to-use, just need to plug in your details in the Word document
✔ Clean and beautiful layout with simple legal English (no AI-gibberish)
✔ Ongoing support with option Add-On Review by a lawyer you will vibe with and trust
✔ Easy to upgrade to a fully customised agreement when you start to grow and gain bigger clients.
✔ Looks polished, professional and clients will take you seriously. You will get better and bigger jobs!
✔ Just seriously cool.
> 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.
FAQs
-
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.