Terms of Service

Effective Date: 11/20/2024

Welcome to Abigail Hall Photography! By booking a session, purchasing products, or using this website, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. Services Offered

I provide professional photography services, including weddings, portraits, family sessions, events, engagements, concerts, and other events at my discretion. The specific details of each session will be agreed upon in a written contract before the session date.

2. Booking and Payment

  • Retainers: A 35% retainer is required to secure your session date. This must be paid no later than 4 weeks before a wedding or 2 weeks before any other shoot. For bookings made less than 2 weeks in advance, retainers are due immediately.

    • The retainer is required to secure your session date and covers initial administrative work, such as planning, coordination, and reserving your time. This retainer is non-refundable because these services are rendered immediately upon booking.

  • Final Payment Terms: The remaining balance is due no less than 7 days before the session.

  • Cancellations: Cancellations made 1 week or more prior to the shoot will receive their retainer back. Refunds will be processed within 14 days. If you cancel within one week of the shoot, the retainer will not be refunded.

  • Payment Options: Payment is preferred through PayPal, through which an invoice will be sent. Other payment options can be made available upon request of the client but must be agreed upon in writing prior to payment due date.

  • Travel Fees: Travel fees are not included in the standard package price and may be added based on the location of the shoot. If the shoot is outside of the area where I typically work (50mi radius of Los Angeles, CA), additional travel fees may apply. This includes, but is not limited to, transportation, accommodation (if necessary), and per diem for meals or other incidental expenses.

    The exact cost of travel will be communicated in advance and agreed upon before finalizing the booking. Travel fees will be calculated based on the distance, time, and any other relevant factors, such as accommodation needs. For destination shoots outside the United States, travel fees will be calculated based on the specific location and international travel requirements.

3. Rescheduling Policy

  • You can reschedule all shoots, free of charge, any time 1 week or more prior to the shoot.

  • Rescheduling fees reflect the additional time and resources needed to adjust and rebook your session on short notice, as well as the potential difficulty in filling the new time slot.

  • If you need to reschedule, you must do so at least 7 days before your session to avoid rescheduling fees. If you reschedule within 7 days but more than 72 hours of your session, a $50 fee will apply for non-wedding shoots and $100 for weddings. Reschedules within 72 hours will incur a $75 fee for non-wedding shoots and $150 for weddings, and within 24 hours will be treated as cancellations.

  • Rescheduling is subject to availability. If rescheduling is not possible due to lack of availability, it will be treated as a cancellation, and the retainer will not be refunded. Refunds for further payments will follow the refund policy.

  • In the event of unforeseen emergencies, I will do my best to work with you to reschedule. If rescheduling is not possible, partial refunds may be issued at my discretion based on the situation and the work already completed. Documentation may be requested for emergencies, such as a doctor's note, in order to qualify for consideration.

4. Refund Policy

  • Retainers for cancellations made within 1 week are non-refundable.

  • If an event is canceled within 1 week of the expected shoot date and the final payment has been made, a refund may be available for any payment additional to the retainer.

  • Refunds for payments beyond the retainer will be considered based on expenses already incurred, such as travel, rental fees, and any pre-paid services not already covered by the retainer. The photographer will make efforts to provide a fair refund, but these will be subject to the photographer's discretion.

5. Photo Delivery and Usage

  • Turnaround Time: Edited photos will be delivered within 2-6 weeks, depending on the package, via an online gallery unless another agreed method was discussed prior to the shoot. Delivery methods can include USB drives or other physical media options, subject to additional fees.

  • Copyright: All photos remain the property of the photographer. Clients are granted personal use rights, including the ability to share images on social media and print for personal use. Selling, editing, or publishing photos requires prior permission.

  • Portfolio Use: Images may be used for promotional purposes, including portfolio displays, social media, and marketing materials, unless the client requests otherwise in writing before the session.

  • Printing: A printing release will be included with your final gallery or provided upon request, allowing for personal use artwork and prints.

6. Model Release

  • By participating in the session, clients grant permission for Abigail Hall Photography to use images for portfolio, social media, and marketing purposes. Clients may opt out of this by providing written notice before the session.

  • For clients under 18 years of age, written consent from a parent or guardian is required before the session.

7. Editing and Retouching

  • All delivered images are professionally edited.

  • Requests for additional editing beyond the standard provided may incur additional fees. Additional editing requests will be quoted and agreed upon before work begins.

  • RAW photos are rarely provided, as they do not represent the final product. If requested, the release of RAW files is at the photographer's discretion and may involve an additional fee.

8. Digital Products and Print Orders

  • Digital files are for personal use only and may not be altered without permission.

  • Print orders can be made through my store via Pixieset. Delivery times depend on the product, but most items ship within 2-3 business days after production.

  • Prints and artworks may also be purchased through outside printing agencies. However, I cannot guarantee the quality, as color calibration, materials, and workmanship vary by provider.

9. Client Responsibilities

  • Clients must arrive promptly and prepared for the session, allowing time for any necessary setup or preparation.

  • Any location permits or special access fees are the responsibility of the client unless otherwise agreed.

  • Clients are expected to cooperate and communicate respectfully to ensure a smooth and enjoyable session. In rare cases where this is not upheld, the photographer reserves the right to end the session early without a refund.

  • If a client fails to show up for the session without prior notice, the retainer will not be refunded, and no additional funds will be refunded. No rescheduling will be allowed under these circumstances.

10. Liability and Force Majeure

  • While I take every precaution to deliver high-quality results, I am not liable for circumstances beyond my control, including but not limited to weather, equipment failure, or venue restrictions.

  • In the event of unforeseen circumstances, such as natural disasters, illness, or government restrictions, I am not liable for delays or non-performance. Clients are encouraged to work with the photographer to find a mutually agreeable reschedule date in such cases.

  • If the session must be rescheduled due to a force majeure event, reschedule fees will be waived. However, the rescheduled session will be subject to availability, and any additional costs such as location fees or third-party vendor charges will remain the client’s responsibility.

  • Liability for delivered products ends upon receipt. Clients must report any defects or issues within 7 days of delivery for resolution.

  • In all cases, my liability is limited to the cost of the services provided.

11. Website Usage

  • Intellectual Property: All content on this website (images, text, etc.) is owned by Abigail Hall and may not be copied, reproduced, or distributed without permission.

  • Third-Party Links: I am not responsible for the content or practices of third-party sites linked from this website.

12. Data Privacy Compliance

Use of this website and services is subject to the Privacy Policy, which outlines how client data is collected, stored, and used.

13. Governing Law

These Terms of Service are governed by the laws of California and any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of Los Angeles County.

14. Changes to Terms

I reserve the right to update these Terms of Service at any time. Continued use of services or the website constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

15. Contact Information

For questions or concerns regarding these terms, please contact me at:
abigail.cathleen.hall@gmail.com