Because (and I’m sure this doesn’t relate to you) people sometimes cancel with virtually no notice and that leaves me unable to book that day again - so I’m out of pocket.

Deposits are 50% of the quoted fee and non-refundable for that reason. Cancellations made 14 days or more prior to the shoot incur no fee.

It depends on the scale of the event. You can usually expect the photos back in about a week; sometimes less. If it’s a long shoot with a lot of content (like a wedding) it might be up to a month.

I often work with clients who have deadlines so will always deliver within the agreed timeframe.

Corporate shoots can be a more straight forward documenting of the event. No mood boards or time consumptive to-and-fro required. Coverage will (obviously) still be in my style, but we can proceed quickly from booking and payment to attendance on the day.

Yes.

For personal and event shoots, if you don’t want/require one, then I’m happy to keep it informal. If you feel safer with a contract I can provide one.

For any commercial work, or when the job is larger, involves more people, Intellectual Property Rights, loading fees, release forms etc then I always use a contract.

I also have both personal indemnity insurance and professional liability insurance.