What Every Elopement Photographer Should Have In Their Contract

Last Updated 3/11/25

You’re living your dream as an adventure elopement photographer. Your work combines your love of travel, adventure, love stories, and creativity. But your work is riskier than traditional photography, and you can’t help but stress about potential liabilities.

As a lawyer, I get a lot of questions about how elopement photographers can protect their businesses. All elopement photographers understand that they need a client contract. But most don't understand the specific clauses every elopement contract should have. 

No matter how you go about it, make sure you understand these three crucial clauses for your elopement photography contract.

1. An Assumption of Risk Clause

Imagine you were hired to photograph an elopement for a couple in Costa Rica. They want to ride ATVs into the jungle, zipline through the trees, and exchange vows next to a waterfall. 

You’re totally up for the adventure! But your mind is swirling with all of the what-ifs… 

What if someone drops their phone on the zipline? What if the ATV tips over? What if the groom can’t swim?

Elopement photography often involves different risks, such as:

- Physical Risks: For example, slipping while hiking, tipping over on an ATV, or exposure to heat or cold.
- Risks to Property: For instance, if the couple’s wedding attire gets rained on or the ring slips down a slot canyon.

An assumption of risk clause lays out potential risks for your clients. It makes it clear that:

1. Risks are Inherent: Your clients acknowledge that activities like hiking on rugged trails or climbing to scenic overlooks can be dangerous.

2. They Understand and Accept the Risks: Your clients agree to go forward with your services, well aware of the risks.

3. You’re Not Liable for Those Risks: Your photography business is protected from liability if a client is injured or suffers a loss of property during their adventure elopement..

An assumption of risk clause gives you added protection from unnecessary liability. You also show professionalism by addressing your clients' awareness and safety. Read more about photography and assumption of risk in this blog post.

2. Inclement Weather Clause

Outdoor ceremonies are beautiful and memorable. But what happens if your set location in Joshua Tree reaches 101 degrees? Or your ideal spot in the Redwoods has a flash flood warning?

Because most elopement ceremonies are outdoors, it’s very important to cover adverse weather in your contract. Your inclement weather clause explains policies for various weather conditions. It should cover:

1. What kind of weather you will and will not photograph in. Are you up for the adventure of shooting in all kinds of weather? Or do you prefer to cancel or reschedule due to conditions like storms or high/low temperatures? It’s a good idea to get clear on what weather you’re comfortable photographing in from the start.

2. What happens in case of poor weather. Will you continue to photograph? How long before the elopement will you decide based on the weather? Make sure you modify this clause depending on your area. So if severe snowstorms, hurricanes, or extreme heat are possible, include that in this clause. 

Be sure to help your clients fully understand your policies if weather problems arise on or near their elopement date.

3. Location Limitations Clause

A location limitations clause states that your business is limited by the rules, guidelines, and accessibility of the location.

This clause is incredibly important because your clients need to know that you will perform your services legally and respectfully. Here you advise them that you won’t risk liability by breaking location rules during their elopement. 

Imagine your clients want you to:

- Photograph inside a national park without a permit,
- Hike to elevations where you should have a professional guide, or
- Sneak across a beach off-limits during turtle nesting season.

This clause would allow you to say no to those types of professional activities. 

Here are three important elements to cover in your Location Limitations Clause:

1. Permit Clause:
   This covers laws and rules applicable to the location. It says you’ll follow laws and rules such as:

1. Obtaining permits

2. Client’s paying for permits 

2. Locations and Limitations Clause:
   This notifies your clients that there may be limits to where you can go with your photography. For example:

1. adhering to park regulations

2. respecting private property boundaries

3. Use of confetti and other non-natural materials

3. Client Responsibility:
   This clause also clarifies clients’ duties that you are not responsible for as the photographer. This may apply to:

1. securing permits

2. providing required permissions

3. covering fines for rule violations

Always make sure to do your research on rules and guidelines before you agree to perform services at a location. 

For more on elopement photography in national parks, tune into episode 119 of The Legal Paige podcast. We break down how elopement photographers can handle sticky situations with clients and public land.

The Legal Paige Take: Must-Have Clauses in Every Elopement Photography Contract

Adventure elopement photography involves unique legal risks compared to traditional photography. 

You can protect your business by including the following in your client contracts:

1. An assumption of risk clause

2. An inclement weather clause

3. A location limitations clause

These clauses will help you limit liability and set clear expectations with your clients. 

All of these clauses, and MANY more important clauses, can be found below in our Adventure Elopement Photography Contract Template. 

This elopement photography contract template was drafted alongside multiple elopement photographers—including Maddie Mae of Adventure Instead. This elopement contract template is trusted by hundreds of photographers for legal protection.

Do you shoot other types of weddings as well? We also offer these resources in The Legal Paige contract shop:

- Wedding Photography Contract Template
- Destination Wedding Photography Contract Template
- Super 8 Clause Bundle 

Not sure which one you need? This blog article can help you understand the differences.

If you have any more questions about elopement photography, join us in The Legal Paige Community on Facebook! You can connect with thousands of other creatives and get help with legal questions. (It’s free!)