DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
The parties agree that Melanie Mauer Photography (M.M.P.) will furnish photographic coverage on the above date from the bride dressing until the cake cutting or first dance (whichever comes last). Extra time may be contracted at $425/hr. Details of the portrait schedule will be contained within the Wedding Worksheet (which is due no later than 30 days before the wedding).

Photographer shall photograph only on the calendar date listed above unless contracted for other photography (engagement session, bridal session, rehearsal dinner, etc) which can be added according to availability and at an additional cost. Products purchased prior to the wedding are begun within 6 months of receiving your proof package or become a product credit that will be available for 24 calendar months from your wedding date.

It is agreed that to provide the best and most efficient service on the wedding day, Melanie Mauer will be the only photographer during group portraits of the bride and groom, wedding party, and immediate family. Family & friends may photograph at other times as long as they do not interfere with our documentation of the wedding. The client understands that the photographer is recognized for their documentary style of photography. M.M.P. shall make an on-line private gallery available to the client for the purpose of selecting photographs (this generally contains about 300 proof images) within 90 days of the wedding.

The photographer has full artistic discretion on the selection of images that will become proofs. Images are archived for 24 months and shall not be held liable for archived images lost due to natural disaster.

COPYRIGHT AND MODEL RELEASE
All photos created by M.M.P. are copyright protected. It is a violation of federal copyright to copy, scan or allow photographs we have created to be reprinted without our express written permission. Use of low-resolution images for your personal website/blog/facebook accounts is acceptable – please provide a photo credit (photo: melaniemauer.com).

Prints will be made for the client or for M.M.P.’s portfolio, self-promotion, entry in photography contests and art exhibitions, editorial use, trade, advertising and display. Clients give M.M.P. permission to use name and likeness in all forms and media for any lawful purpose. I also agree that images can be used without additional compensation to the undersigned.

CHARGES
The fee ($5800) is based on a creative fee and digital files. All prints/products not included with your coverage will be purchased in addition to the fee and in accordance to the standard price list. Product rates are adjusted periodically and orders are billed at the rates in effect on the most recently published price list.

Extra charges (such as rush service, travel past 75 miles) shall be billed if and when incurred at the request of the Client.

 a) travel charges are billed only if the location is greater than 100 miles from Lexington, KY

 b) travel between 101-200 miles is billed at a rate of $500 c) travel more than 200 consists of airfare/meals/ground transportation/lodging for 2-3 nights for melanie + assistant (determination of air versus car travel is solely at our discretion) d) fees for international travel are negotiated with client.

RETAINER & PAYMENT
A $1500 non-refundable retainer reserves your wedding day. This retainer is applied in full toward the creative fee. The balance of the fee is due 30 days before the wedding date. Note that photography will not start until final payment and the wedding worksheet have been received.

If the balance is not paid within 30 days of the wedding date we reserve the right not to photograph the event. In case of a cancellation or rescheduling to a date we are unavailable for M.M.P., monies received are non-refundable. In case of rescheduling to a date that M.M.P. has available, the retainer will apply to the new date within 18 months of the original contracted date but any changes in price/coverage will be applied. This rescheduling may happen once. If a wedding is rescheduled twice, the monies received are non-refundable/non-transferable.

COVID-19
For the safety of all parties involved, we will abide by current CDC and local public health recommendations and regulations.  Currently (6/2020), this requires:

- My assistant and I will wear masks the entire event and to the very best of our ability keep 6ft of distance between us and others.

- Persons who do not live in the same household cannot be photographed together without 6ft between them. Please plan for this with family and wedding party images. 

- If dancing is present, we will photograph it a minimum of 6ft away from the nearest person. 

- As much as possible, photography will take place outdoors (this has always been typical for our portraits).

If not followed, our business is subject to closure so we want our intent to follow these and other rules that may be present at the time of your event to be transparent. Current state regulations are linked for convenience.  These are changing regularly based on the current climate and we are happy to make notification of changes available upon request.

- If your venue changes and requires travel that wasn't present at the time of signing this agreement, additional travel as outlined in the Charges section would apply.

- Our retainer is a booking fee and is the cost to reserve a wedding date.

LIABILITY
In the unlikely event that severe illness/catastrophe prevents us from photographing your wedding, we will promptly inform you and depending on your decision at the time either (a) attempt to secure an alternate professional photographer who will photograph your wedding on our behalf or (b) refund your retainer and all subsequent payments.

While every reasonable effort will be made to produce outstanding photographs or wedding events, our entire liability to you for any claim or loss arising from our performance is limited to a refund to you in the amount paid for services. Because a wedding is an uncontrolled event, M.M.P. cannot guarantee delivery of any specifically requested image(s) or be held responsible for shots missed because of late arrivals on the part of those who are to be photographed.

As a company, we follow the rules your venues has regarding photography - in certain instances they may limit it. Please check to see if they have special restrictions and inform us on your Wedding Worksheet. Permission to photograph is the client's responsibility as well as notifying those in photos of when and where the photographs will be taken.

WITH GRATITUDE
I honor your trust in my vision and am deeply grateful you have selected my services for your wedding. It is my privilege to be your photographer. Thank you. May your engagement unfold with continued blessings and joy.