LAURA DARK PHOTOGRAPHY LLC CLIENT POLICY
The Client desires to hire Laura Dark to provide photography services (the “Services”), and Laura Dark agrees to perform these Services under the terms of this Agreement.
Therefore, in consideration of the mutual terms and conditions set forth below, the Parties agree as follows:
Laura Dark reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.
Sessions may be upgraded, but not downgraded. A minimum deposit is required to secure a shoot date and time. Paying this deposit constitutes the Client’s acceptance of all terms and conditions outlined in this policy.
All payments made to Laura Dark Photography LLC for deposits, session fees, services, and products are final and non-refundable.
Any outstanding balance for shoot packages must be paid at least two weeks prior to the scheduled shoot. Failure to do so will result in cancellation of the shoot and forfeiture of the deposit.
SHOOT INTEGRITY
The Client trusts Laura Dark’s talent and vision to produce consistent, high-quality outcomes across all selected images.
While Laura Dark strives to provide an unforgettable experience, the focus is on the creative process. Every client is photographed in the signature style showcased on the Laura Dark Photography LLC website.
To ensure timely delivery, please allow Laura Dark to focus on the editing process without interruption. Do not message her private accounts requesting updates on image completion, as these inquiries slow down workflow and will not receive a response. Please direct any necessary questions to our business email or studio social media messengers. Clients can expect finished images within two weeks from the Tuesday following their session.
If Laura is unable to attend a session due to illness or injury, a highly trained professional photographer will take her place in the studio. Laura will still cull, edit, and finalize all images personally, ensuring her brand standards are strictly maintained.
CLIENT INTAKE FORMS
Clients will receive a link to a Pre-Shoot Intake Form, which must be completed in full—including image examples—no later than two weeks before the session date. Because Laura Dark Photography LLC allocates specific time slots for each package, client participation in the planning process is essential to ensure all sessions run smoothly.
MAKEUP AND HAIR ARTISTS
Professional hair and makeup services play a significant role in achieving the consistent, high-quality results Laura Dark's clients expect. While NOT mandatory, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND utilizing these services prior to your shoot. Clients with allergies or product sensitivities are welcome to bring their own makeup for our artists to apply.
Laura Dark contracts exceptionally talented hair and makeup artists who work at a reduced rate to help keep session fees affordable. Tipping is standard practice in this industry, much like at independent salons. While tipping is optional, it is always greatly appreciated.
Hair and makeup are styled according to the client’s request. If the client is dissatisfied with the results, they must verbally express their concerns prior to being photographed so the artists can make corrections. If you are unhappy with any part of your hair or makeup, please tell us before photography begins so our artists can make adjustments immediately. We want you to feel comfortable and confident throughout your experience. Concerns shared after the session will still be reviewed, although corrective options may be limited once photography has been completed.
CLIENT CONDUCT AND SESSION ETIQUETTE
Clients receive a list of Do’s and Don’ts in their confirmation email. Adhering to these guidelines ensures the day runs smoothly for everyone, as delays from a single client can severely impact the entire daily schedule.
The Client is responsible for their own behavior throughout the session. Laura Dark reserves the right to terminate the portraiture session immediately if she deems the Client’s behavior unruly or unsafe. In such instances, the full session fee will be retained. The Client also agrees to reimburse Laura Dark or her agents for any damage caused to property or equipment.
FUTURE ORDERS
Clients are welcome to order additional images beyond their package inclusions for an extra fee. Future orders will be billed at the current price list rate. Payment for extra images is due at the time of order, and Laura Dark will not begin post-production until the payment has fully cleared.
LEGAL
LAURA DARK PHOTOGRAPHY LLC SERVICES AND PRODUCTS ARE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. Any professional or commercial use of Laura Dark’s copyrighted images is strictly prohibited.
Web usage of Laura Dark’s work is strictly monitored. Unauthorized commercial usage will be referred to our attorney and will result in a cease-and-desist notice issued to the website host, instructing them to remove the copyrighted images immediately.
US Federal Copyright
IT IS ILLEGAL TO REPRODUCE THE COPYRIGHTED WORK OF AN ARTIST. CLIENTS MAY NOT SCAN, PHOTOGRAPH, SCREEN-GRAB, OR OTHERWISE COPY PRODUCTS OR IMAGES FROM THE PROOFING GALLERY. VIOLATORS WILL BE CHARGED THE FULL VALUE OF ANY DIGITAL IMAGES POSTED UNAUTHORIZED.
CANCELLATIONS
The Laura Dark Experience is a major production that involves securing professional makeup, hair, and posing artists, transporting gear, and arranging locations. Because Laura Dark must prepay these non-refundable expenses months in advance, she maintains a strict cancellation policy. Once a Client has submitted a deposit or full payment, there are no refunds or cancellations permitted. However, clients are allowed to reschedule.
A Client may reschedule a shoot once without incurring a fee. Rescheduling requests must be made in writing at least two weeks prior to the original shoot date and must include a proposed new timeframe. The rescheduled session must occur within six months of the original date.
If a reschedule request is made with less than two weeks’ notice, an additional session fee is required to secure a new date. This fee serves as liquidated damages to cover the sitting fee, styling, makeup, and pose coaching. This fee is due within 48 hours of the request or by the original shoot date (whichever comes first). Failure to pay will result in the cancellation of the session all paid funds will go towards cancelation fees.
If the Client is late to their scheduled session, that time will be deducted from their allotted session length. If the Client is more than 30 minutes late, the session may be forfeited at Laura Dark’s sole discretion, and the costs of the sitting fee, hair styling, makeup, and pose coaching will be retained as liquidated damages.
If the Client cancels with less than two weeks' notice, or fails to pay the balance due at least two weeks prior to the session, liquidated damages for the sitting fee, styling, and coaching will be assessed. If Laura Dark is unable to collect these funds, the debt will be reported to all three major credit bureaus. No exceptions will be made.
OUTDOOR LOCATIONS
The Client must provide their own transportation to outdoor locations. If someone else is driving the Client to the studio, that driver must remain available to transport the Client to the outdoor set. Laura Dark Photography LLC does not provide client transportation.
Outdoor sessions are entirely weather permitting. If conditions are poor (e.g., rain, heavy snow, high winds, or temperatures below 32 degrees), the session will be relocated indoors.
TRAVELING TO US
For clients traveling from out of town, Laura Dark highly recommends securing the session date and time with a minimum deposit before booking airfare or hotel accommodations.
Session dates can only be secured with a deposit if scheduled more than two weeks in advance (as balances are due in full two weeks prior to the shoot). Without a secured booking, Laura Dark's schedule is subject to change. Laura Dark is not responsible for fees associated with airline or hotel changes. If flying or driving a long distance, please arrive the day before the session to ensure you are well-rested and to avoid travel disruptions. Refunds or rescheduling will not be granted due to same-day travel delays.
GIFT CERTIFICATES
Gift Certificates may be purchased in any USD amount. They are provided digitally and remain valid for ONE CALENDAR YEAR from the purchase date. Gift Certificates are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
SATISFACTION
While Client satisfaction is of the utmost importance, photography is inherently subjective. All images are edited according to Laura Dark’s professional artistic vision; by booking her, you are placing trust in her signature style and creative judgment. If you have specific editing requests beyond the standard retouching seen in your sample teaser, additional edits can be provided at a rate of $50 per image (cropping, black-and-white, and basic color toning are free of charge). Or $75 for upgraded requests. Laura Dark reserves the right to refuse additional editing services. Clients can expect the same high quality of work showcased on our website. All sales are final. Because we work with the exact same styling team responsible for our portfolio, it is the Client’s responsibility to voice any hair or makeup concerns prior to stepping in front of the camera, ensuring adjustments can be made immediately.
DELIVERY SHORTAGES, LOSS, AND DAMAGE IN TRANSIT
Claims for damage, non-delivery, or missing items must be submitted in writing within seven days of delivery. Laura Dark is not liable for orders shipped to incorrect addresses provided by the client, nor for the loss of products after they have been delivered to the provided address.
Laura Dark takes care to ensure all shipped items are securely packaged for transit. However, she cannot accept liability for loss or damage caused by third-party couriers. Clients are encouraged to purchase suitable insurance for valuable items. Upon written request, Laura Dark can arrange loss/damage coverage for an additional fee. Clients who opt out of this coverage assume all shipping risks.
Laura Dark provides products and services on a best-efforts basis and will work diligently to meet agreed-upon deadlines. However, she is not liable for delays caused by circumstances beyond her reasonable control, including but not limited to: postal/lab delays, acts of nature, severe weather, fires, strikes, government legislation, or loss and damage in transit.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Laura Dark acknowledges that she may receive confidential information from the Client while performing photography services. Upon the Client's request, Laura Dark agrees to make her best effort to maintain this confidentiality, except where disclosure is required by law.
VENUE
This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to conflict of law principles. All claims, disputes, or lawsuits arising from this Agreement shall be exclusively resolved or adjudicated in Columbus, Ohio.
PRICES AND TERMS
- All prices in Laura Dark's price list are subject to change without prior notice.
- Laura Dark reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions without prior notice.
- Images and data supplied in electronic format:
For all digital images and data supplied to the Client, Laura Dark will endeavor to ensure the files are uncorrupted and virus-free. However, Laura Dark is not responsible for any digital disruption, data loss, or damage to the Client’s devices. The Client agrees to take similar precautions when sending digital files to Laura Dark. For all private, extended, and destination sessions, the Client is responsible for securing the location. Destination clients are also responsible for Laura Dark’s travel expenses, hotel accommodations (preferably at the shoot location), airport transfers, international lighting rentals, and a minimum two-day rate. Hair and makeup artists for destination shoots are contracted directly through the artists themselves; while Laura Dark can provide referrals and prefers her own contractors, she is open to working with an artist of the Client's choice.
COPYRIGHT AND OWNERSHIP
- In accordance with United States Copyright Laws, the copyright of all images created by the Photographer belongs exclusively to the Photographer. Without written authorization, the Client is strictly forbidden from making prints, reprints, copies, or digital duplications of these images.
- Reproduction rights, if granted, are strictly limited to the uses specified on the Photographer’s invoice. Any license is valid only after the Client has paid their balance in full.
- The Client may never purchase the copyright to images created by the Photographer.
- If the Client requests copies of images taken by another photographer, they must obtain written permission from that copyright holder first. The Photographer reserves the right to contact the original copyright holder to verify this authorization. The Client agrees to fully indemnify the Photographer against any claims, damages, or costs arising from third-party copyright infringement lawsuits.
WAIVER OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
Waiver: In exchange for permission to use the property, facilities, staff, equipment, and services of Laura Dark Photography during my session, I—on behalf of myself, my heirs, personal representatives, and assigns—hereby release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue Laura Dark Photography, its directors, officers, employees, or agents. This release applies to any and all liability claims, including negligence, resulting in personal injury, accidents, illness (including death), or property loss arising from my participation or use of the facilities and equipment. I acknowledge that I understand the nature of this Activity and represent that I am in good health and proper physical condition to participate. I further agree that if I ever believe conditions are unsafe, I will immediately discontinue my participation.
Assumption of Risks: The use of Laura Dark Photography’s property, facilities, staff, equipment, contracted working animals, and services carries inherent risks that cannot be completely eliminated. Laura Dark Photography frequently rents spaces in hotels or studios and contracts Ambassador Animals, but is not officially affiliated with these outside entities. I have read the previous paragraphs, and I understand and appreciate the risks involved in these activities. I hereby assert that my participation is entirely voluntary and that I knowingly assume all such risks.
Indemnification and Hold Harmless: I agree to INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS Laura Dark Photography from all claims, actions, suits, procedures, costs, expenses, damages, and liabilities (including legal fees) arising from my involvement in a portrait session, and I agree to reimburse them for any such expenses incurred.
Severability: I expressly agree that this waiver and assumption of risk agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by law. If any portion is held invalid, the remainder of the agreement shall continue in full legal force and effect.
Acknowledgment of Understanding: I have read this waiver of liability, assumption of risk, and indemnity agreement, and I fully understand that I am giving up substantial rights, including my right to sue Laura Dark Photography. I acknowledge that I am agreeing to these terms freely and voluntarily, intending for this to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law. Additionally, I understand that under federal copyright law, Laura reserves the right to use the images she creates to promote her business. Unless shooting Boudoir, if I prefer to opt out of promotional use, I will indicate this on my Client Intake Form.