TERMS & CONDITIONS
PHOTOGRAPHY
*Last updated: February 2026*
Welcome to Studio Rainn. These Terms & Conditions are designed to act as a calm, clear safety net for both you and the Photographer. They apply to all Studio Rainn services, including but not limited to weddings, elopements, couples, family sessions, maternity, boudoir, events, branding, fine art commissions, and any other photographic or creative services, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
By booking Studio Rainn, paying a deposit, or participating in a session, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.
1. Definitions
Photographer / Studio Rainn: Gemma “Rainn” Joubert
Client: Any individual, couple, organisation, or representative booking services with Studio Rainn
Session / Event: Any photography or creative service provided by Studio Rainn
Booking Payment / Deposit: The non-refundable amount required to secure a date
2. Services & Inclusions
2.1 Coverage & Deliverables
Sessions are booked by time or package and include a minimum estimated number of edited images, as outlined in your booking confirmation or invoice. Image counts are estimates, not guarantees.
2.2 Delivery
Final images are delivered via an online gallery. Galleries are hosted for 3 months unless otherwise stated.
2.3 Exclusions
Unless explicitly included in writing, services do not include travel beyond the included radius, accommodation, meals, props, styling, hair, makeup, wardrobe, venue hire, permits, or third-party services.
3. Booking & Payment
3.1 Securing a Booking
A 30% non-refundable booking payment is required to reserve a date. No date is considered secured until this payment is received.
3.2 Payment Schedule
Payment plans may be offered for convenience. The final balance is due no later than 7 days before the session or event date, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
3.3 Late or Missed Payments
Failure to meet payment deadlines may result in cancellation of the booking, with the booking payment forfeited.
3.4 Pricing Adjustments
Rates are confirmed at the time of booking. Studio Rainn reserves the right to update pricing for future bookings.
3.5 Cooling-Off Period
Where applicable, Clients are entitled to a five (5) business day cooling-off period under Section 16 of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008.
4. Cancellations & Rescheduling
4.1 CanceLlation by Client
All cancellations must be made in writing. The following applies:
* More than 90 days before the session: booking payment forfeited
* 30–90 days before the session: 50% of total fee payable
* Within 30 days of the session: 100% of total fee payable
4.2 Rescheduling by Client
Studio Rainn will make reasonable efforts to accommodate a new date.
* If available, payments will be transferred
* If unavailable, the reschedule is treated as a cancellation
A rescheduling fee may apply for changes within 90 days.
4.3 Cancellation by Photographer
In the unlikely event that the Photographer cannot attend due to illness, personal emergency, or force majeure, Studio Rainn may:
* Arrange a suitable replacement Photographer at their discretion; or
* Cancel the booking and refund all monies paid for services not rendered.
Where a full refund is issued, this constitutes full and final settlement, and the Photographer will have no further liability.
4.4 Adverse Weather
For outdoor sessions, weather-related decisions are made with safety as the primary consideration. The Photographer may adjust the shoot plan or offer a reschedule where reasonably possible.
4.5 Client Personal Expenditure
All costs incurred by the Client in preparation for a session or event (including but not limited to hair, makeup, wardrobe, décor, accommodation, travel, stationery, or third-party vendors) are undertaken entirely at the Client’s own risk.
The Photographer is not responsible for reimbursing or compensating such costs under any circumstances. The Photographer’s liability is strictly limited to fees paid directly to Studio Rainn.
4.6 Emergency Cancellations
The Client acknowledges that Studio Rainn is a sole-operator business. In the event of a genuine emergency (including medical, personal, or family emergencies) requiring cancellation or early departure:
* The Client will receive a refund for services not rendered; and
* This refund constitutes full and final settlement.
4.7 Privacy & Medical Boundaries
The Photographer is under no obligation to disclose personal, medical, or confidential information in support of an emergency cancellation.
Requests for medical records, diagnoses, documentation, or third-party confirmation are strictly prohibited and constitute a violation of the Photographer’s rights under South African privacy legislation, including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
4.8 Conduct Toward the Photographer
The Client agrees to ensure respectful conduct toward the Photographer and any assistants at all times.
Harassment, intimidation, coercion, verbal abuse, aggressive behaviour, threats, or invasive demands — including persistent contact, demands for private information, or hostile communication via email, WhatsApp, phone calls, or social media — will not be tolerated.
If such conduct occurs, the Photographer reserves the right to:
* Immediately terminate services;
* Cease communication except where legally required; and
* Retain all payments made up to that point.
The Photographer’s safety, dignity, and wellbeing take precedence over continued service provision.
4.9 Defamation & Public Statements
The Client agrees not to publish or circulate false, misleading, or defamatory statements — including negative reviews — relating to:
* Emergency cancellations where refunds have been issued;
* The Photographer’s refusal to provide private or medical information; or
* Circumstances outside the Photographer’s reasonable control.
The Client acknowledges that such conduct may give rise to legal action under South African defamation law, including claims for damages.
5. Conduct & Safety
5.1 Respectful Conduct
The Photographer must be treated with respect at all times. Harassment, intimidation, aggressive behaviour, or coercive demands will result in immediate termination of services without refund.
5.2 Client Responsibility for Guests
The Client is fully responsible for the behaviour and conduct of their guests, attendees, vendors, and any third parties present at the session or event.
Any form of harassment, unwanted physical contact, sexual harassment, assault, intimidation, or threatening behaviour toward the Photographer or their assistants — including but not limited to inappropriate touching — will result in the **immediate termination of services**.
In such circumstances:
* The Photographer may leave the location immediately for their own safety;
* No refund will be issued by Studio Rainn; and
* Any claim for reimbursement or damages arising from the Photographer’s early departure shall be the sole responsibility of the offending individual(s) and/or the Client.
5.3 Safety First
The Photographer reserves the right to end a session early if safety is compromised.
5.4 Participation at Own Risk
Clients and guests participate voluntarily and accept full responsibility for their own safety and wellbeing during sessions.
6. Session Conditions
6.1 Exclusivity
No additional professional photographers may be hired without written consent. Interference may result in termination of coverage.
6.2 Venue Permissions
All permits, permissions, and venue rules are the Client’s responsibility.
6.3 Animals & Children
Animals and minors must be supervised at all times. Behaviour and safety remain the Client’s responsibility.
6.4 Breaks & Meals
For longer sessions, reasonable breaks and meals may be required.
7. Image Use & Copyright
7.1 Copyright
Studio Rainn retains full copyright of all images.
7.2 Client License
Clients receive a royalty-free license for personal, non-commercial use. Images may not be altered, edited, or sold.
7.3 Commercial & Third-Party Use
Commercial use by Clients or vendors requires written permission and may incur licensing fees.
8. Model Release & Privacy
8.1 Marketing Use
Studio Rainn may use images for portfolio, website, social media, and marketing unless privacy is requested in writing before the session.
8.2 Privacy Requests
Approved privacy requests will be respected. Previously shared content is not guaranteed to be removed.
8.3 Minors
Images of minors will be used responsibly and never on unsafe platforms.
9. Artistic Approach
9.1 Creative Style
Images are delivered in Studio Rainn’s signature style. Style preference disagreements do not constitute grounds for refunds.
9.2 Editing Restrictions
Clients may not re-edit or apply filters to delivered images.
9.3 Additional Editing
Further edits or revisions are billed separately.
10. Liability & Indemnity
10.1 Limitation of Liability
Studio Rainn’s liability is limited to the total amount paid by the Client.
10.2 Force Majeure
Events beyond control may delay or prevent performance. Undelivered services will be refunded, excluding the booking payment where applicable.
10.3 Image Loss
In the unlikely event of total image loss, liability is limited to a reshoot or refund.
11. General
11.1 Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by South African law.
11.2 Amendments
Any changes must be agreed to in writing.
11.3 Severability
If any provision is found invalid, the remaining terms remain in force.
11.4 Dispute Resolution
The parties agree to attempt informal resolution before mediation or arbitration.
If you have any questions, Studio Rainn is always happy to talk things through. Clear expectations make for better experiences — and better art.
RETOUCHING
1. Bookings & Cancellations
Once a project is confirmed (by email, message, or payment), that time is reserved for the editing project.
Cancelled or postponed jobs are subject to a 50% cancellation fee to cover lost time and scheduling.
Alternatively, a replacement job of equal or higher value can be booked in the same timeframe (subject to Studio Rainn’s approval).
No files will be released until the cancellation fee or replacement work has been confirmed. Studio Rainn reserves the right to refuse work if previous jobs have been cancelled with no payment.
2. Files & Anchor Images
Clients must provide at least 5% of the total image count as anchor references — these must be final edits from the same batch being submitted for retouching. Anchor images are used to guide tone, lighting, skin tone, and overall style.
If anchors from the same batch aren’t provided, the client grants Studio Rainn full creative license to interpret the images artistically. In such cases, style-related revisions (e.g. colour, tone, lighting) will be treated as new work and billed at the current hourly rate.
3. Revisions
Each project includes one round of reasonable revisions based on the agreed brief and anchor images.
Revision requests that change the approved style, colour grading, or lighting direction — especially when no valid anchors were provided — are not included and will be quoted as new work.
Revision requests must be submitted within 5 business days of delivery unless otherwise agreed.
4. Delivery & File Handling
Final files are delivered digitally via secure transfer.
Studio Rainn retains backups for up to 30 days after delivery for safekeeping. After that, files may be permanently deleted to maintain privacy and storage efficiency.
It is the client’s responsibility to download and back up delivered files promptly.
5. Payment Terms
A 50% deposit may be required for large or first-time clients. The remaining balance is due upon delivery of the final files, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Late payments may incur a 10% monthly fee and may result in paused or delayed future work.
6. Usage & Credits
All work remains the property of Studio Rainn until full payment has been received.
Unless confidentiality is requested in writing, Studio Rainn reserves the right to share before/after examples or final images for portfolio and promotional use. Client confidentiality and release schedules will always be respected. Sensitive commercial projects (e.g., unreleased campaigns) should be flagged at the time of booking.
8. Communication
All feedback, notes, and project details must be provided in writing (email, WhatsApp, or agreed platform) to ensure clarity.
Verbal instructions are not binding unless confirmed in writing.
9. Acceptance of Terms
By confirming a booking, sending files, or making any payment, the client acknowledges and agrees to these Terms & Conditions.
VENDOR IMAGE USAGE TERMS
The following terms apply to all images supplied by Studio Rainn and its Clients.
By downloading, sharing, or using these images, you agree to the terms outlined below.
1. Permitted Use
Images may be used for portfolio, website, and organic social media marketing purposes only.
2. No Alterations
Images may not be edited, filtered, recoloured, cropped, retouched, or otherwise altered in any way without prior written permission.
No presets, overlays, or colour adjustments may be applied.
3. No Third-Party Submission
Images may not be submitted to blogs, publications, competitions, print materials, or any third party without written consent from Studio Rainn.
4. Advertising & Paid Promotion
Images may not be used for paid advertising, sponsored posts, boosted content, commercial resale, or any form of paid promotion without a separate licensing agreement.
5. Credit Requirement
Full and clear credit must be given wherever images are used.
Credit format: Photo by Studio Rainn (@studiorainn)
Credit must be visible in captions, tags, or on-page attribution where applicable.
6. Copyright
All copyright remains the sole property of Studio Rainn at all times.
Use of the images does not transfer ownership.
7. Breach of Terms
If these terms are breached, Studio Rainn reserves the right to require the immediate removal of the image(s) from all platforms or to request payment for the appropriate licensing and usage rights.