Legal & Policies

1. Contractual Parties & Scope

This agreement is entered into between Nurū Photography (referred to as "the photographer", "the studio", or "Nurū") and the person, couple, company, or legal representative commissioning or paying for photographic services (referred to as "the client").

If the commissioned shoot involves a minor, a parent or legal guardian's authorization is mandatory. These Terms and Conditions apply equally to all guests, wedding attendees, models, and subjects present during any photographic session.

The commission contract becomes legally binding upon confirmation of booking and receipt of the 50% non-refundable booking deposit.

2. Deposit & Payment Terms

A 50% non-refundable booking deposit is required to reserve and secure the date and schedule for your session. Dates cannot be held provisionally without this deposit.

The remaining balance must be settled in full no later than 7 calendar days prior to the shoot date. Under no circumstances will images, previews, or final high-resolution master photographs be provided without full payment settlement.

3. Creative Discretion & Post-Processing

All photographs delivered by Nurū are fully curated, color graded, and edited in accordance with our signature natural light and atmospheric visual aesthetic.

• No RAW Deliverables: Strictly no raw, unedited, or unculled negative files will be released under any circumstances. Delivery of final edited work represents the full artistic integrity of the house.
• Artistic Grading: Lighting conditions, ambient interior reflections, and outfit color palettes naturally shape the final color rendition. The client acknowledges and accepts Nurū’s creative post-processing choices as final.
• No Cosmetic Alteration: Nurū does not perform cosmetic body modifications or artificial feature morphing. Edits focus on natural tone balance, luminosity, and atmospheric depth.
• No Secondary Alterations: Clients and third parties are strictly prohibited from applying secondary filters (e.g. social media presets, auto-filters, or color grading) over Nurū’s delivered work.

4. Client Portal & Digital Delivery

Master photographs are delivered digitally within 30 calendar days following the photoshoot date, unless otherwise stipulated in writing for multi-day weddings or architectural commissions.

Delivery is conducted via Nurū’s secure website client portal. Clients log into their dedicated access page to review and download high-resolution master image assets.

Archival Responsibility: Client galleries remain active for download for a period of 6 months from the date of initial delivery notification. Clients are responsible for downloading and maintaining redundant offline backups. Nurū is not liable for data loss or unarchived files following the expiration of the download window.

5. Copyright & Reproduction Licenses

Under South African copyright law and international conventions, Nurū Photography retains exclusive statutory copyright in and to all photographs, digital negatives, and creative assets produced during any commission.

• Personal License (Weddings, Portraits): Clients receive an irrevocable, non-exclusive license for personal, non-commercial use, including personal social media sharing and personal fine-art printing. Commercial sale or third-party transfer requires prior written consent.
• Commercial License (Spaces, Hospitality, Brands): Commercial commissions include an editorial and brand promotional license tailored to the client's corporate channels, editorial press, and architectural publications as specified in the commission schedule.
• Studio Portfolio Rights: Nurū retains the right to display, publish, and showcase selected photographs across its website, editorial exhibitions, and promotional channels for artistic and marketing purposes.

6. Lighting, Indoor Venues & Weather Protocols

Nurū’s photographic method relies on the study of genuine natural and artificial lighting. When shoots occur indoors or within private estates, adequate natural light via windows, portals, or courtyards must be available.

Inclement Weather: Outdoor coastal shoots are subject to maritime weather. In the event of severe wind, torrential rain, or adverse weather that endangers optical equipment or subjects, Nurū will reschedule the session to a mutually agreeable date. If the client refuses reasonable rescheduled dates, the deposit remains non-refundable.

7. Limitation of Liability & Physical Injury

Nurū Photography, its principal photographers, and assistants shall not be held liable for any personal injury, loss, or property damage sustained by the client, guests, or participants during a photoshoot.

In the rare and unforeseen event of total technical failure (such as camera malfunction, digital card corruption, or catastrophic loss), Nurū’s liability is strictly limited to providing a complimentary full reshoot at no extra session cost (with travel expenses covered as applicable).

8. Wardrobe, Hair, Makeup & Punctuality

The client is responsible for all wardrobe, hair, and makeup preparation. The studio accepts no liability for styling mismatches, transparent or visible undergarments, reflective eyewear glare, or makeup smudging during the session.

Sessions commence strictly at the scheduled reservation time. Additional shooting time requested on location will be billed at Nurū’s standard hourly overtime rates in 30-minute increments.

9. Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy

Because booking reservations require blocking off dates and turning away alternative commissions, cancellations are subject to the following schedule:

• Cancellations more than 14 days prior: The 50% booking deposit is forfeited; no further balances are due.
• Cancellations within 3 to 14 days prior: The deposit is forfeited. If rescheduling is requested, a rescheduling administrative fee may apply.
• Cancellations within 72 hours of shoot: 75% of the total commission package price is payable (the 50% deposit plus a 25% short-notice cancellation fee).