Terms and Conditions of Business
BOOKING A PHOTO-SHOOT
Bookings for studio and location shoots are made either in person or by email, telephone bookings need to be confirmed in writing. A payment is made at the time of booking to secure the date and time. This payment includes a credit towards the order and this credit will be deducted from the total amount owing at the time of placing the order. A booking form is completed by the client before the photo-shoot accepting SMS Creative Photography's terms and conditions.
CANCELLATION POLICY
SMS Creative Photography will always try to accommodate changing schedules, we understand babies and children can be unpredictable and will be happy to issue a refund of any deposit paid in the event of a cancellation within the required time period of 7 days’ notice for a studio shoot and 21 days’ notice for a location shoot. We can of course postpone or reschedule the booking within the same notice periods.
In the event that you do cancel outside the required notice period all monies paid would be forfeited.
In the case of adverse weather conditions requiring location photo-shoots to be rescheduled, a mutually convenient date would be arranged. For events that cannot be rescheduled the shoot would go ahead or all monies paid would be forfeited.
Once an order has been paid for and processed by our post-production team no refunds can be made as work commences immediately.
GIFT VOUCHERS
SMS Creative Photography gift vouchers have an expiry date of 12 months from date of purchase. No change is given on purchases that cost less than the face value of the voucher presented. Vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash. Vouchers cannot be sold to any third-party without our written consent. We reserve the right not to accept any vouchers that have or appear to have been forged, damaged, defaced or otherwise tampered with. No responsibility will be accepted for lost, stolen, or damaged vouchers. To deface a voucher will render it invalid. Vouchers cannot be used in conjunction with any other voucher or offer.
DELIVERY POLICY
Orders are delivered to your home or business address within a 5 mile radius of Oxted town and by prior arrangement.
Collection can be arranged from an Oxted address to advised at the time of collection.
Delivery and shipping of products outside this area is solely the client's responsibility if collection is not possible.
DIGITAL IMAGES
SMS Creative Photography will seek permission first should we wish to display images taken from your photo-shoot, for the purpose of marketing our services on our website, for social media use and for display at our premises of work. Under the terms of section 85 of the Copyright, Designs & Patents Act (CDPA) 1988, clients have the right to refuse to grant such permission.
When digital images are purchased by the client, the only rights purchased is the right to print the image for personal use. Images used for clients' personal social media accounts or published online warrant a credit to the photographer Stella Scordellis/SMS Creative Photography Limited and Stella Scordellis/SMS Creative Photography Limited assert their right to be identified as the author and creator of the work under the terms of section 77-78 CDPA 1988. Copyright remains with Stella Scordellis/ SMS Creative Photography Limited. If the images are to be used by the client for any commercial purposes a further set of usage rights shall be agreed upon and the appropriate fee paid to Stella Scordellis/SMS Creative Photography Limited. Any opportunity for additional commercial use of any images by a third-party will be discussed beforehand with the original commissioning client and any agreement of such shall be in writing including the detail of any financial arrangements and licence agreements.
Digital post-production, enhancement and manipulation are carried out at the discretion of SMS Creative Photography Limited. No work will be carried out on any image until payment has been received in full. An additional fee may be charged for any additional post-production work above and beyond our usual process.
RETURNS AND REFUNDS
Once the finished portrait products have been checked and collected or delivered, no returns are accepted neither will any refunds be given by SMS Creative Photography Limited.
SMS Creative Photography retains the right to vary these terms and conditions.
For SMS Creative Photography's Terms and Conditions for Commercial and Overseas Commissions the following applies:-
1. APPLICATION OF TERMS
1.1 These terms and conditions will:
1.1.1 apply to all Assignments undertaken by the Photographer for the Client and to all Usage Licences or extended and/or additional Usage Licences relating to such Assignments; and
1.1.2 prevail over any inconsistent terms or conditions contained, or referred to, in Client’s purchase order, confirmation of order, acceptance of Estimate, or specification or other document supplied by Client, or implied by law, trade custom, practice or course of dealing.
2. DEFINITIONS
“Photographer” means the commissioned Photographer whose details are set out in the Estimate and invoice(s) for an Assignment.
“Assignment” means a commission by the Client of the Photographer for provision of Photographer’s services at a shoot for the purpose of creating the Material.
“Advertiser” means any client of the Client for whose benefit or use the Material is commissioned.
“Client” is the party commissioning the Photographer and includes the Client’s affiliates, assignees, and successors in title.
“Estimate” means any email or other document electronic or otherwise created by the Photographer and setting out the Fee and expenses for any Assignment along with information as to Usage Licences.
“Fee” means the Photographer’s fees as set out in the Estimate.
“Licensed Images” means the still and/or moving images selected from the Material and as specified in the Estimate as to be licensed for use in accordance with these Terms. “Material” means all photographic material created by the Photographer pursuant to an Assignment and includes but is not limited to transparencies, negatives, prints, digital files or any other type of physical or electronic material recording either still or moving images. “Shoot Duration” means the number of confirmed days of a shoot whether undertaken consecutively or in separate parts and includes all shoot, travel, recce, preparation or test days.
“Usage Licence” means the licence to use the Licensed Images as set out in clause 3.3 and clause 9 below.
“Working Day” means a day that is not a Saturday or Sunday or any day that is a Bank Holiday in England.
“B.U.R” means Base Usage Rate and is the figure by reference to which additional usage fees to the usage fees stated on the Photographer’s original Estimate as accepted by the Client are established.
3. ESTIMATES
3.1 Estimates provided by the Photographer are based upon the information provided by
the Client in advance of preparing the Estimate.
3.2. Changes to the requirements for an Assignment before or during a shoot may increase the Fee and expenses.
3.3 Estimates shall specify the number and characteristics of Licensed Images which the Client shall be entitled to use and the media and territories in and durations for which they may be used and these shall be the terms of the Usage Licence unless otherwise agreed in writing. The Client is responsible for checking the Estimate to ensure that it provides for all requirements including but not limited to post production, high resolution files, the correct usage licences and all technical specifications for the Licensed Images.
3.4 Unless otherwise agreed in writing the Client’s agreement of shoot date(s) shall be deemed to be acceptance of the Estimate.
3.5 If no B.U.R. has been stated, it will be equivalent to the Photographer’s day shoot fee.
4. CONDUCT OF THE SHOOT
4.1 The shoot will be arranged on date(s) mutually agreed between the Parties.
4.2 During the shoot the Photographer will take account of the Client’s reasonable instructions in respect of the shoot brief.
4.3 If the Client is not present during the shoot then the Photographer’s interpretation of the brief shall be deemed acceptable to Client.
5. OVERTIME AND ANTISOCIAL HOURS
5.1 A normal day is up to 9 hours (including 1 hour for lunch) between 9am and 6pm on any Working Day.
5.2 Any hours worked outside a normal day (“Antisocial Hours”) will incur additional overtime fees for the Photographer, crew and facilities. These will be agreed between the Parties.
5.3 Additional fees for crew, facilities and any other third parties required to work Antisocial Hours
shall be as set out in their standard terms or otherwise negotiated.
6. CANCELLATION OF SHOOT
6.1 If a confirmed shoot is cancelled or postponed for reasons outside the control of the Photographer (including unsuitable weather / light), the Photographer reserves the right to charge the following.
6.1.1 cancellation on less than 7 days' notice - 100% of Fee forfeited for studio photo-shoots
6.1.2 cancellation on less than 21 days' notice - 100% of Fee forfeited for location photo-shoots and events
7. ACCEPTANCE & DELIVERY
7.1 Following completion of the shoot the Photographer will deliver the Material to the Client as soon as reasonably practicable and in the agreed format to enable the Client to select the Licensed Images.
7.2 Subject to any previously agreed deadlines for post-production work the Photographer will carry out any such work required as soon as reasonably practicable but cannot guarantee urgent turnaround.
7.3 Unless expressly agreed in writing between the Parties the Client shall not be entitled to reject the Material on the basis of style or composition.
8. STORAGE OF MATERIAL
8.1 The Client shall ensure that it takes appropriate steps to keep safe an exact digital copy of all Material supplied for the duration of the Usage Licence. The Photographer will not be responsible for archiving any Material unless by prior written agreement with the Client.
8.2 Save for the purposes of the Usage Licence including clause 8.1 above the Material may not be stored in any electronic medium or transmitted to any third party, including for the avoidance of doubt any associated or branch office of the Client, without the written permission of the Photographer.
8.3 Upon publication of the Licensed Images or any of them and on the Photographer’s request the Client shall supply to the Photographer free of charge a high-resolution digital file, PDF format file or good quality hard copies of the Licensed Images in the context in which they are published.
9. COPYRIGHT & USAGE LICENCES
9.1 The entire copyright and all similar rights throughout the world in all the Material and ownership of all physical materials created by or for the Photographer shall vest in and be retained by the Photographer at all times.
9.2 The Client is responsible for informing the Advertiser of the extent and limitations of all Usage Licences.
9.3 Upon payment in full of both the Fee and expenses for an Assignment the Photographer grants to the Client the right to use the Licensed Images on the express terms of the Usage Licence. No use may be made before payment in full without the Photographer’s express agreement in writing.
9.4 Provided that the Client has paid in full all invoices relating to the Assignment the period of use specified in the Usage Licence commences from the date of first use or 6 months after the shoot date, whichever is sooner (unless otherwise agreed in writing).
9.5 Usage of the Licensed Images is limited to use of such images as provided by the Photographer and the Client shall not manipulate any Licensed Photograph or make use of only part of any individual image without the prior written permission of the Photographer.
9.6 The Client may only sub-license the right to use the Licensed Images to the disclosed Advertiser as agreed and strictly on the terms of the Usage Licence.
9.7 Neither the Client nor the Advertiser may use the Licensed Images in relation to any additional products or services not specified in the Usage Licence.
9.8 Any licence to use the Licensed Images shall automatically be revoked if payment in full of both the Fee and expenses for an Assignment is not received by the due date specified in the relevant invoices or if the Client or Advertiser becomes insolvent or is put into receivership or is subject to any of the matters set out in clause 20.1.2 below.
10. ADDITIONAL/EXTENDED USAGE
10.1 The Fee is based on the Usage Licence as specified in the Estimate. Any additional or extended use (including for the avoidance of doubt the use of individual still frames from licensed moving image footage) will attract an additional fee which must be agreed by the Photographer in advance.
10.2 Any estimates of additional or extended usage licence fees provided to the Client are valid for a period of three months from the date of the estimate only (unless otherwise notified in writing).
10.3 The Client acknowledges that such estimates do not include provision for any third party rights which are the responsibility of the Client pursuant to clause 12 below.
10.4 The Client shall procure that the Advertiser requests any necessary extended or additional usage licence(s).
10.5 Any extended or additional use made without permission shall attract an additional fee.
11. EXCLUSIVITY
11.1 All Usage Licences granted by the Photographer to the Client shall be exclusive to the Advertiser and the Client unless otherwise agreed in writing.
11.2 Subject to clause 11.4, the Photographer undertakes not until 2 years after the shoot or the expiry of the Usage Licence(s) (whichever is later) to grant any other licence in respect of the Material to any third party.
11.3 After expiry of the exclusivity period the Photographer shall make such use of the Material including the Licensed Images as he/she sees fit.
11.4 Nothing in this clause 11 shall prevent the Photographer at any time from using the Material, whether commercial, test or speculative (images shot for presentation/pitch/ awards), in any form and in any manner worldwide for the purpose of promoting his/her services, provided that in the case of unpublished Material the Photographer shall first obtain the Client’s consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. The Photographer reserves the right to use the Material for this purpose whether or not in the context of the Advertiser’s advertisement or other material in which the Material is incorporated, including without limitation the Advertiser’s branding.
12. THIRD PARTY RIGHTS
12.1 Engagements of third party suppliers, including models, are subject to such terms and conditions as those parties may require which shall be made available by the Photographer on request.
12.2 Estimated model fees cover modelling time only and the Client shall be responsible for clearing model usage unless otherwise stated on the Estimate.
12.3 Items created specifically for the shoot shall remain the property of their creator unless agreed otherwise.
12.4 The Photographer shall not be responsible for obtaining any clearances in respect of third party copyright works, trade marks, designs or other intellectual property used in relation to the Assignment or any Usage Licence or extension thereof unless expressly agreed in writing prior to the shoot.
13. CREDITS
13.1 In respect of all editorial uses and otherwise as additionally stated in the Estimate the Client shall procure that the Photographer’s name is printed on or in reasonable proximity to all published reproductions of the Licensed Images.
14. PAYMENTS
14.1 All expenses and production costs must be paid in advance of the shoot unless otherwise agreed in writing and such invoices are due on presentation.
14.2 All other invoices must be paid within 30 days of the date of issue. The Photographer reserves the right to charge interest on late payments at the rate prescribed by the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 from the date payment was due until the date payment is made.
14.3 If there is a delay of one month or more between agreed pre-production work and
the shoot, the Photographer reserves the right to invoice the Client for the pre-production element of the Fee and for any expenses already incurred by the Photographer.
14.4 Usage Licence and any third party fees negotiated by the Photographer are payable regardless of whether Licensed Images are in fact used by the Client or the Advertiser.
14.5 All payments are due in pounds sterling unless expressly stated otherwise.
15. EXPENSES
15.1 All expenses figures provided in advance of a shoot are estimates only and the Client should allow a minimum 10% contingency budget in all cases. All estimated costs are stated exclusive of VAT.
15.2 The Photographer will endeavour to work within the agreed cost estimate, but individual costs within the Estimate may vary at his/her discretion to enable the most effective realisation of the brief.
15.3 Receipts for expenses can only be provided if requested prior to shoot confirmation. Provision of receipts will incur an accountancy charge of 1.5% of total costs and fees incurred in respect of the Assignment subject to a minimum charge of £250 and a maximum of £600.
15.4 Where extra expenses or time are incurred by the Photographer as a result of alterations to the original brief by the Client, or otherwise at its request, the Client shall be liable to pay such extra expenses and additional fees at the Photographer’s normal rate.
16. RETURN OF MATERIALS
16.1 Within 30 days of expiry of any Usage Licence the Material must be returned to the Photographer in good condition and any digital files stored by the Client and the Advertiser must be deleted.
17. INDEMNITY
17.1 The Client shall indemnify the Photographer and keep him/her and their respective officers and employees indemnified on a continuing basis against all liabilities, claims, costs, damages and expenses claimed or incurred (including legal costs) or licence fees due by reason of any infringement claim, or alleged infringement, of any intellectual property rights relating to any failure by the Client to obtain third party clearances or arising out of use of the Material by the Client or the Advertiser outside of the Usage Licence or otherwise as a result of any breach by the Client or the Advertiser of these terms.
18. EXTENT OF LIABILITY
18.1 The Photographer shall not be liable to the Client for any loss of profit, loss of contracts, loss of business or revenues, loss of production or for any indirect, special or consequential loss, damage, costs, expenses or other claims (whether caused by the negligence of the Photographer, Photographer’s employees, agents or sub-contractors or otherwise) which arise out of or in connection with the shoot.
18.2 The Photographer’s maximum aggregate liability for all losses, damages, costs,
claims and expenses however or whenever arising out of or in connection with these Terms shall in any event be limited to the total amount of the fees paid to the Photographer in relation to the relevant Assignment.
18.3 Notwithstanding the above, nothing in these terms excludes or limits the liability of the Photographer for death or personal injury caused by the Photographer’s negligence or that of his/her employees, agents or sub-contractors, for any fraudulent statement or act or for any matter which it would be illegal to exclude.
18.4 The Photographer hereby disclaims any warranties, conditions and other terms on or relating to the services hereunder or any parts thereof which might otherwise be implied whether by statute, law, custom, course of dealing or otherwise, including without limitation any warranty, condition, or other terms of merchantability, quality, fitness for purpose or non-infringement to the fullest extent permitted by law.
19. CONFIDENTIALITY
19.1 The Photographer will keep confidential and will not disclose to any third parties or make use of material or information communicated to them in confidence for the purposes of the Assignment, save as may be reasonably necessary to enable the Photographer to carry out his/her obligations in relation to the Assignment.
19.2 It shall be the sole responsibility of the Client to arrange for any third party involved in the Assignment to enter into any confidentiality agreement.
19.3 The Photographer will not be liable for any breach of confidentiality by any third party.
20. TERMINATION
20.1 Either party will be entitled to terminate these Terms immediately by giving written notice to the other if the other party:
20.1.1 commits a material breach of these Terms and fails to remedy that breach (if remediable) within 30 days after receipt of written notice requesting its remedy; or
20.1.2 is the subject of a bankruptcy order or becomes insolvent or makes any arrangement or composition with or assignment for the benefit of its creditors or if any of the other party’s assets are the subject of any form of seizure, or the other party goes into liquidation either voluntary (otherwise than for reconstruction or amalgamation) or compulsory, or a receiver or administrator is appointed over the other party’s assets.
21. EFFECTS OF TERMINATION
21.1 On termination or expiry of these Terms for whatever reason:
21.1.1 The Client shall pay all sums due and owing the date of which will be automatically accelerated to the date of termination.
21.1.2 The provisions of Clauses 2, 3.3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18 and 19 shall survive expiry or termination.
21.2 Any termination and/or suspension of these Terms shall be without prejudice to any other rights or remedies a party may be entitled to hereunder or at law and shall not affect any accrued rights or liabilities of either party.
22. FORCE MAJEURE
22.1 The Photographer shall not be liable for any failure or delay in the performance of any of such party’s obligations under these Terms caused by any circumstances beyond such party’s reasonable control.
23. GENERAL
23.1 Waiver: No delay or omission by a party in exercising any right or remedy under these Terms shall operate to impair such right or remedy or be construed as a waiver thereof. Any single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy shall not preclude any further exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy.
23.2 Assignment/Sub-contracting: Neither party shall be entitled to assign, transfer,
delegate or sub-contract the whole or any part of its rights and obligations under these Terms without the prior written consent of the other party (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
23.3 Notices: Any notice under these Terms shall be duly given if: (a) delivered personally; or (b) sent by pre-paid post, in which case it shall be deemed to have been received 48 hours after posting; or (c) sent by fax, in which case it shall be deemed to have been received when transmitted.
23.4 Entire Agreement and Variation: These Terms and the Estimate constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to their subject matter.
23.5 Severability: If any part of these Terms is found by any court or other competent
authority to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable then such part shall be severed from the Terms and the remainder shall continue to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
23.6 Relationship: Nothing in these Terms shall be construed so as to give rise to any agency, joint venture, partnership or relationship of employer and employee between the parties.
23.7 Third Party Rights: The provisions of these Terms are for the benefit of the parties and are not intended to confer upon any person except the parties any rights or remedies hereunder. No person who is not a party to these Terms shall have any right to enforce any of its terms pursuant to the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
23.8 Law and Jurisdiction: These Terms are governed by the laws of England & Wales and the Parties hereby irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England & Wales.
Issued April 2016 - © The Association of Photographers Limited
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