Terms & Conditions

1. Agreement to Terms

By booking services with Better Half Media ("we," "us," or "our"), you ("Client") agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. These terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Better Half Media, a wedding photography and videography business based in San Marcos, Texas.

If you do not agree to these terms, please do not book our services. We recommend reading these terms in conjunction with your service agreement/contract, which contains additional specific terms for your booking.

2. Services Provided

Better Half Media provides professional photography and videography services including, but not limited to:

• Wedding photography and videography
• Elopement coverage
• Engagement sessions
• Family portraits
• Graduation photography
• Newborn and maternity sessions
• Professional headshots
• Content creation services

The specific services for your booking will be outlined in your individual service agreement and invoice.

3. Booking & Payment

Deposit

A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the Total Cost is required to secure your date. This deposit serves as a retainer and locks in your date on our calendar. By paying the deposit, you acknowledge that we are turning down other potential clients for your date.

Balance Payment

The remaining balance is due one (1) month prior to your event date. For sessions booked less than one month in advance, full payment is required at the time of booking.

Payment Methods

We accept payment via credit card, debit card, ACH bank transfer, and other methods as specified in your invoice.

Third-Party Payments

If a third party (such as a parent or family member) pays on your behalf, they do not become the Client. The individuals named in the service agreement remain the Client with all associated rights and responsibilities.

4. Cancellation Policy

We understand that circumstances change. Our cancellation policy is as follows:

• Deposit: The deposit is non-refundable under all circumstances, as it compensates us for holding your date and turning away other clients.
• Cancellation 30+ days before event: The deposit is retained; any additional payments will be refunded.
• Cancellation within 30 days of event: The deposit is retained, and 75% of any additional payments made will be refunded.

For wedding and elopement clients, the non-refundable deposit covers an included portrait session (engagement, bridal, or couples session) which may be scheduled regardless of cancellation.

5. Rescheduling Policy

Life happens, and we want to work with you:

• First reschedule: One complimentary reschedule is permitted within 12 months of the original event date, subject to our availability.
• Additional reschedules: A $250 administrative fee applies for any subsequent date changes.

Rescheduling requests must be made in writing (email is acceptable). The new date is subject to our availability.

6. Intellectual Property & Copyright

Ownership

Better Half Media retains full copyright and ownership of all images and video footage captured during your session or event. This is standard practice in the photography and videography industry.

Client Usage Rights

Upon final payment, you are granted a non-exclusive license to use the delivered images and videos for personal, non-commercial purposes. This includes printing, sharing on social media, and displaying in your home.

Commercial Use

Any commercial use of images or videos requires prior written consent from Better Half Media and may be subject to additional licensing fees.

RAW Files

RAW (unedited) files are available for purchase within 3 months of gallery delivery. If purchased, files must be downloaded within 60 days. Images edited from purchased RAW files should not be credited to Better Half Media.

Third-Party Editing

You may not apply heavy filters, re-edit, or substantially alter delivered images while still crediting Better Half Media. If you wish to edit images, please remove our credit/watermark.

7. Portfolio & Marketing Use

Better Half Media reserves the right to use images and videos from your session or event for portfolio, marketing, advertising, social media, website display, and other promotional purposes.

If you require privacy or have specific restrictions, please discuss this with us before signing your contract. We're happy to accommodate reasonable requests with advance notice.

We request that when sharing images on social media, you tag us @betterhalfmedia. This helps other couples find us and supports our small business.

8. Delivery Timelines

Standard Delivery

• Wedding photos: 8-12 weeks from your wedding date
• Wedding films: 8-12 weeks from your wedding date
• Portrait sessions: 8-12 weeks (5 weeks with priority delivery add-on)

Gallery Access

Your online gallery will remain active for 60 days from delivery. Please download all images within this window. After 60 days, galleries may be archived and additional fees may apply for re-delivery.

Backup Policy

While we maintain backups at our discretion, we are not obligated to store your images indefinitely. We strongly recommend downloading and backing up your images promptly.

9. Client Responsibilities

Timeline Submission

For weddings, final timelines must be submitted at least 14 days before your event. We are not responsible for missed moments if timeline information is received late or is incomplete.

Questionnaires & Shot Lists

Completing pre-event questionnaires helps us capture the moments most important to you. We cannot guarantee specific shots if requests are not communicated in advance.

Venue Restrictions

Please inform us of any venue photography/videography restrictions, permits required, or limited access areas. You are responsible for communicating these requirements.

Contact Information

You agree to keep us updated with current contact information throughout our working relationship.

10. Coverage Scope

Wedding Coverage

Standard wedding coverage begins when the bride or first party arrives for preparation and ends when the couple departs. After-parties, after-hours events, and day-after sessions are not included unless specifically added to your package.

Meals

For events exceeding 5 hours, a meal must be provided for each team member when the couple eats. This ensures we're ready to capture post-dinner moments without disruption.

Travel

Events within the Austin to San Antonio corridor are included without additional travel fees. Destination events may incur travel, accommodation, and per diem costs as outlined in your contract.

11. Conduct & Safety

We reserve the right to end coverage and leave an event if:

• Any team member is subjected to harassment, threats, or hostile behavior
• Conditions become unsafe due to intoxication or other factors
• We are asked to capture illegal activities

In such cases, no refund will be provided for remaining coverage time.

We also reserve the right to decline requests to photograph nudity, undergarments, or sexually suggestive poses.

12. Limitation of Liability

While we take every precaution (including dual SD card recording and professional backup systems), in the unlikely event of equipment failure, file corruption, or other unforeseen circumstances resulting in loss of images or footage, our liability is limited to a pro-rated refund of fees paid for the affected portion of services.

We are not liable for any indirect, consequential, or emotional damages. We carry professional liability insurance through Full Frame Insurance.

Our total liability shall not exceed the total amount paid for services.

13. Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for failure to perform due to circumstances beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to: natural disasters, severe weather, pandemic, government actions, terrorism, or other Acts of God.

In the event both primary photographers/videographers are unable to perform services, we will make reasonable efforts to secure qualified substitute coverage. If substitute coverage cannot be arranged, a full refund will be provided within 120 days.

14. Artistic Style

Our work follows a bright, airy, journalistic style with natural and authentic posing. By booking with us, you acknowledge you have reviewed our portfolio and appreciate our artistic approach.

We do not guarantee replication of specific images from other photographers, Pinterest, or social media. While we welcome inspiration, the final creative decisions remain with the photographer/videographer.

15. AI Disclosure

Better Half Media may use artificial intelligence tools for editing assistance, retouching, and image culling. However, all images delivered are authentically captured at your event. We do not use AI to generate, fabricate, or create images of moments that did not occur.

16. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. Any disputes arising from these terms or our services shall be resolved in the courts of Hays County, Texas.

17. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

The terms in effect at the time of your booking will govern your specific agreement with us.

18. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us:

Better Half Media
San Marcos, Texas
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.betterhalf.media