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3. Always Have a Contract—No exceptions!
Whether you are shooting for coworkers, neighbors, family, friends, or even your spouse 😉 everyone signs a contract! It will protect you and your client, and it is one more opportunity for you to clearly communicate to your clients what they can expect from you. If you could perfectly communicate everything with your clients, then you would prevent most of the disputes that people run into. The problem is that people aren’t perfect, so get it in writing.
If you don’t know where to start, you can check out the Professional Photographer’s of American (PPA) website. You can also have a lawyer draft a contract specifically tailored to meet the needs of your business. We have a lawyer who we love, and I know Me Ra has a great one too, so if you need a recommendation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of us.

July 15th, 2010 at 6:16 am
I really loved these! Especially the last one!
July 15th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Thanks for sharing all the great tips! They’re really helpful… it’s so great to have someone who’s done it before lay it out in more concrete and solid terms/advice. 🙂
And your photos are gorgeous, as always. 🙂
July 15th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
I am on the edge of my seat for the rest of the tips! I am photographing my friends wedding next month (I am not a wedding photographer and do not pretend to be). Thanks for sharing!
July 15th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
You guys are the BEST! Thank you so much for making it real, and sharing so open with all of us! I love you guys! And yes, photos are BEAUTIFUL!!!
If you haven’t checked out The Pope’s website, you must!!
July 15th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
This is so fun! Our first guest blog. Thanks for the opportunity, MeRa!
Ladies, I hope that you find these tips helpful, and if you have any questions about them, please don’t hesitate to ask us in the comments. We’d be happy to answer! Also, we’re hoping to post some more wedding photo biz mini-lessons on our blog in the coming months, so we’d love to have you connect with us there as well!
Thanks again for reading, and we wish you much happiness & success! ~The Popes
July 15th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Oh my goodness, so helpful!!! Thanks for these tips! There definitely going to be useful!!
July 15th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Thank you so much. These tips are so great!!!
July 19th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
so great!! can’t wait to get to the next post!
July 19th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Love the tips. Thank you so very much.
January 30th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
If you’re looking for the best photographers Tacoma has to offer, check out this blog.
September 9th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
This is really what I needed to read. I always struggle with “Have Confidence—Or at least pretend that you do.” I have done less stressful events than weddings for friends and family and everyone has absolutely loved the pictures that I have taken. They even encourage me to go full time. Well, this article has given me the kick in the pants that I need/deserve, lol. By February, I am going to book my first paid wedding event. Thanks again.
Sheryl
November 1st, 2011 at 8:06 am
Valuable info. Lucky me I found your site accidentally, and I’m shocked why this accident didn’t took place earlier! I bookmarked it.