There’s a saying here in America, “It’s not a matter of IF you’ll be sued, it’s WHEN.”
Yes, America more than any other place on earth is sue crazy. And while we could talk for hours on the good and bad of living in a sue crazed country, the bottom line is if you are going to be in business, you have to cover yourself as fully as possible. (And not just in America, around the world too.)
While you always hope you’ll never face the inside of a courtroom over your photography, preparing for it before it happens will leave you in a better position in case the unthinkable happens.
Dig Deeper: Help, My Photography Business Is Being Blackmailed
While I’m not a lawyer, and only a lawyer can fully ensure your contract is sound and will prevent you within your business, there are some ways to move forward to give you protection before you book your very next client.
These are the elements your contract should have.
The Basics
A great contract is going to list the basics up front. Be sure you have:
- Your client name(s)
- Address
- Contact information
- Event dates and locations
- Your business name
- Address
- Contact information
Details make it easy to ensure who the two parties are and how you both can be contracted in any situation. [Read more…]