Hookum Photography LLC — Reservation & Service Policy

 

1) Reservation of Services

 

1.1 No Date Is Held Without Payment. Hookum Photography LLC (“Hookum Photography,” “we,” “us”) does not reserve or hold any session date/time until the required deposit is received and cleared.

 

1.2 First Paid, First Booked. Session dates are secured on a first-come, first-served basis. If multiple clients request the same date/time, the reservation goes to the first client who pays the deposit in full.

 

1.3 Reservation Confirmation. A reservation is not confirmed until the client receives written confirmation from Hookum Photography (email/text is acceptable). Screenshots of payment alone do not confirm a booking.

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2) Deposits and Payments

 

2.1 Nonrefundable Deposit (Strict). All deposits are 100% nonrefundable under all circumstances, including but not limited to:

 

Client cancellation for any reason

 

Scheduling conflicts

 

Weather concerns (unless we determine conditions are unsafe or impossible to shoot)

 

Illness, travel issues, personal emergencies

 

Dissatisfaction with a style preference after booking etc.

 

 

2.2 Deposit Purpose. The deposit is a retainer that covers our time, preparation, scheduling, and the opportunity cost of holding your date. Once paid, that time is removed from inventory.

 

2.3 Remaining Balance. Unless otherwise stated in writing, the remaining balance is due the day before the session begins (or by the deadline on the invoice). If the balance is not paid on time, Hookum Photography may cancel the session and retain the deposit or add a 20% late fee.

 

2.4 No Refunds on Delivered Work. Once any images are delivered (digital gallery, downloads, prints, or previews), no refunds will be issued.

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3) Cancellations

 

3.1 Client Cancellation. If the client cancels at any time, the deposit is forfeited. If additional payments beyond the deposit have been made, any refund of those amounts is solely at Hookum Photography’s discretion unless required by law.

 

3.2 Hookum Photography Cancellation (Rare). If Hookum Photography must cancel due to a genuine emergency or unavoidable circumstance, we will:

 

Apply your deposit to a rescheduled date OR

 

Refund the deposit only if we are unable to provide services at all

This refund (if applicable) is limited strictly to amounts paid to Hookum Photography; we are not responsible for third-party costs (venue, travel, outfits, hair/makeup, etc.).

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4) Rescheduling Policy (One-Time Courtesy)

 

4.1 One Reschedule Maximum. The client may reschedule one (1) time only using the original deposit, provided the reschedule request follows the requirements below.

 

4.2 Reschedule Requirements.

 

The reschedule request must be submitted in writing (email/text) and acknowledged by Hookum Photography.

 

The new date must be scheduled within 30 days of the original session date (unless we approve otherwise in writing).

 

Rescheduling is subject to availability; we do not guarantee a specific date/time.

 

 

4.3 Second Reschedule = New Deposit. Any rescheduling after the one-time reschedule requires a new nonrefundable deposit to secure a new date. The original deposit remains forfeited and is not transferable.

 

4.4 Last-Minute Reschedules. If the client requests a reschedule within 72 hours of the session time, Hookum Photography will treat it as a cancellation and require a new deposit at our discretion.

 

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5) Copyright Ownership and Usage Rights (Strict)

 

5.1 Hookum Photography Owns 100% Copyright. Hookum Photography LLC retains 100% ownership of copyright in all photographs, edits, and derivative works created—whether delivered or not—under U.S. copyright law.

 

5.2 No Transfer of Copyright. The client is not purchasing copyright. The client is purchasing photography services and a limited license (see below), unless a separate written copyright transfer agreement is executed and paid for (if offered).

 

5.3 Marketing & Promotional Use.  Hookum Photography hold unrestricted right to use any images from the session for:

 

Portfolio use

 

Website, social media, ads, reels, behind-the-scenes, and promotional materials

 

Studio samples and printed marketing

 

Submissions, publications, and professional display

This permission is perpetual, worldwide, and royalty-free.

 

 

5.4 No Additional Approval Required. Hookum Photography is not required to seek additional approval before posting or using images for marketing.

 

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6) Image Delivery Standards, Signatures, RAW Files

 

6.1 No RAW Files — Ever. Hookum Photography does not provide RAW/unedited files under any circumstance. RAW files are incomplete work products and are not part of deliverables.

 

6.2 Edits Are Final after one revision only. Editing style is part of Hookum Photography’s brand and creative process. The client agrees to accept Hookum Photography’s professional judgment on selection and editing.

 

6.3 Signature/Branding on Images. All delivered images will include Hookum Photography’s signature/branding mark (digital or embedded mark) as part of the studio’s standard presentation.

 

6.4 No Removal or Alteration of Signature. The client may not crop out, remove, obscure, retouch over, or alter Hookum Photography’s signature/branding. Doing so violates this policy and may be treated as copyright infringement.

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7) Client Use License (What You Can Do)

 

7.1 Personal Use Only (Default). Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the client is granted a limited, nonexclusive, nontransferable license to use delivered images for personal use, including:

 

Personal social media posting (credit appreciated, not required unless stated)

 

Printing for personal display

 

Sharing with family/friends for personal purposes

 

 

7.2 No Commercial Use Without Written Permission. The client may not use images for commercial purposes (business marketing, branding, ads, product sales, monetized campaigns, sponsorships, etc.) without a separate commercial license agreement and fee.

 

7.3 No Selling or Licensing by Client. The client may not sell, sublicense, or transfer images to third parties (including vendors, brands, magazines, or other photographers) without written permission from Hookum Photography.

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8) Enforcement and Zero-Exception Standard

 

8.1 Policy Applies Even If You Disagree Later. Booking a session and/or paying a deposit confirms the client has read, understood, and agreed to this policy in full.

 

8.2 No Waiver by Silence. If Hookum Photography does not enforce a provision one time, it does not waive our right to enforce it later.

 

8.3 Conflicts. If this policy conflicts with another written agreement signed by Hookum Photography, the signed agreement controls only for the conflicting terms.

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9) Acknowledgment

 

By paying a deposit or otherwise reserving services, the client acknowledges and agrees:

 

Deposits are nonrefundable

 

Hookum Photography LLC owns 100% copyright to all images

 

Images may be used for marketing and promotional purposes

 

Delivered images include Hookum Photography’s signature/branding

 

No RAW files are provided

 

Rescheduling is allowed one time only, and any additional reschedule requires a new deposit