Videography Services Contract Template

What Is the Videography Services Contract?

This contract creates a binding agreement between a client and videographer covering filming services, post-production editing, deliverables timeline, and payment terms. It addresses intellectual property ownership of raw footage and finished videos, usage rights for personal versus commercial purposes, revision allowances, quality standards, and liability protection if equipment fails or footage is lost.

Unlike a casual email agreement, this contract establishes professional standards, allocates risk between parties, defines creative control over editing and artistic choices, and provides clear termination rights if circumstances change. It also covers equipment failure protocols, backup procedures, cancellation policies, and dispute resolution to prevent costly misunderstandings.

 

 

Is This Videography Contract Right for You?

You need this contract if you're:

• Hiring a videographer for your wedding or special event
• Producing corporate videos or promotional content for your business
• Creating commercial productions or advertising campaigns
• Documenting conferences, seminars, or live performances
• Working with videographers or video production companies
• Filming real estate tours, testimonials, or product demonstrations

You definitely need this contract if:

• You're paying more than $1,000 for videography services
• The event cannot be re-filmed if something goes wrong
• You need commercial usage rights to use video in marketing or advertising
• You're concerned about creative control over final editing and style
• Raw footage contains confidential business information or private moments

 

 

Why Thousands Trust Legal GPS Templates

Save Money. Pay $35 instead of $1,500+ in attorney fees for custom contracts.

Save Time. Download immediately and complete in under 30 minutes versus weeks waiting for attorney drafts.

Look Professional. Attorney-quality language that establishes credibility and protects both parties fairly.

Keeps You Out of Court. Clear deliverables specifications prevent disputes over what's included, comprehensive intellectual property provisions define who owns footage and usage rights, liability limitations protect against catastrophic exposure if footage is lost, and detailed payment terms with cancellation policies ensure both parties understand financial obligations.

 

 

 

Get Protected in 3 Simple Steps

Step 1: Secure Checkout. Complete your purchase through our encrypted payment system. Your template downloads immediately.

Step 2: Instant Download. Open the Word document and review the comprehensive how-to guide that explains each decision point.

Step 3: Fill In the Highlighted Fields. Customize event details, define deliverables and timeline, select usage rights, choose your payment structure, and specify revision allowances. Most clients complete it in under 30 minutes.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this template multiple times?

Yes. Use this contract for multiple videography projects, different videographers, weddings and corporate events, and reuse it whenever you need video services. You own the template after purchase.

Is this contract legally binding?

Yes. This attorney-drafted agreement is enforceable in all U.S. states. It includes all essential elements of a valid contract including offer, acceptance, consideration, mutual obligations, and lawful purpose. Courts and professional videographers recognize and accept these agreements.

Does this protect me if footage is lost or corrupted?

The contract addresses equipment failure and lost footage scenarios by limiting liability to the contract value while establishing backup requirements. If footage is lost due to memory card failure or equipment malfunction, the videographer's liability is capped at a refund of fees paid minus costs incurred. This balances protection for irreplaceable events with realistic risk allocation.

Who owns the raw footage and final video?

The videographer retains copyright ownership, but you receive a license to use the final edited video. You choose between personal use only, limited commercial use for your business, or full commercial use including resale and sublicensing. Raw footage is typically retained by the videographer unless you negotiate to purchase it separately.

What if I'm not satisfied with the creative style?

The contract includes revision rounds to refine the video toward your preferences. However, payment obligations are not contingent on subjective satisfaction with creative choices, provided the videographer delivered work consistent with their portfolio style and met technical quality standards. This prevents disputes where clients withhold payment because they changed their mind about the style they originally hired.

How does the cancellation policy work?

The contract establishes a sliding scale based on how close to the event you cancel. Canceling 60+ days out typically results in losing your deposit. Canceling 30-60 days out might result in losing 50-75% of the total fee. Canceling within 30 days or day-of typically forfeits the full contract value, since the videographer cannot rebook that close to the date.