Booking Terms

These Booking Terms form a binding agreement between you (the “Client”) and BanaKin Photos (the “Studio”) when you book a photography session. Use of the site as a whole is also governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

1. Services

The Studio will provide the photography services described in the package you select at /services. The Studio retains creative discretion over composition, lighting, and post-production styling. Final deliverables include digitally edited images delivered through your client portal, plus any printed products specified in your package.

2. Deposit and balance

• A non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your booking. The deposit amount is a percentage of your total quote and is shown on the quote you accept. Until the deposit is paid your booking is considered tentative and the date is not held.
• The remaining balance is due no later than seven (7) days before your session unless otherwise specified in writing.
• All payments are processed by Stripe. Card details are never stored on our servers.
• Sessions will not begin until the deposit is paid. The Studio may decline to deliver final images while a balance is outstanding.

3. Rescheduling

• You may reschedule once at no charge with at least seven (7) days' notice, subject to the Studio's availability.
• A reschedule with less than seven (7) days' notice may incur a fee equal to 25% of the session price.
• Same-day rescheduling is treated as a cancellation (see below).
• Severe weather, illness, or unforeseen emergencies will be handled in good faith and are not subject to reschedule fees, at the Studio's reasonable discretion.

4. Cancellation

• The deposit is non-refundable in all circumstances.
• If you cancel more than seven (7) days before the session, no further amount is owed and any balance already paid will be refunded.
• Cancellations within seven (7) days forfeit the deposit plus 50% of the balance.
• No-shows forfeit the entire session price.
• If the Studio cancels for any reason other than your breach or force majeure, you are entitled to a full refund of any amount paid, including the deposit.

5. Copyright and license

The Studio is the sole author and copyright holder of all photographs created under this agreement, consistent with 17 U.S.C. § 201(a) — see our Copyright Notice. You receive a personal-use license to the delivered images, the full terms of which are set out in our Image Licensing Agreement.

Commercial use (including use by an employer, brand, or for-profit entity, and any use to promote products, services, or paid memberships) requires a separate written license. Contact admin@banakinstudios.com for commercial-use pricing.

6. Portfolio and marketing use

As part of every booking, the Studio includes the right to use images from your session in its portfolio and ordinary marketing channels — website, social media (including @banakin_studios), the Studio's own ads, newsletter, and printed marketing materials. The full terms are set out in our Model & Image Release.

If you do not want your images used this way, uncheck the “portfolio release” box on the booking form. Opting out has no effect on price or service quality.

Audio recording (videography sessions) is a separate matter governed by Maryland two-party-consent law — see §6a below. Use of a minor's likeness in portfolio contexts requires explicit parental or guardian consent — see the Release for details.

6a. Audio recording (videography sessions)

Maryland is a two-party-consent state under Md. Code Cts. & Jud. Proc. §10-402: it is a felony to record an oral communication without the consent of all parties to it. If your session includes videography or any other audio recording, by accepting these Booking Terms:

• You consent to the Studio recording audio captured during your session.
• You confirm that you have obtained the same consent from every other person whose voice may be captured (family members, guests, additional subjects, etc.) before the session begins.
• You agree to indemnify the Studio against any claim arising from a third party whose consent you represented you had obtained but did not.

Audio recorded as part of a session is treated like the images: copyright is retained by the Studio, and you receive the same personal-use license described in §5. Use of audio in portfolio/marketing materials is governed by the opt-in portfolio release in §6.

7. Delivery

• Typical delivery is 3–6 weeks after the session for digital galleries; physical products (albums, prints) follow on their own production schedule.
• Galleries are hosted in your client portal for at least twelve (12) months. After that we may archive older galleries; please download what you want to keep.
• You are responsible for maintaining your own backups of delivered files.

8. Photo editing

Editing style and the number of delivered images are at the Studio's creative discretion. The Studio does not perform body retouching beyond standard skin and tone adjustments and does not release unedited (RAW) files.

9. Force majeure

Neither party will be liable for failure to perform due to circumstances beyond reasonable control, including illness, severe weather, natural disasters, equipment failure, government action, or pandemic. In such cases the parties will work in good faith to reschedule.

10. Liability

The Studio's total liability under these Booking Terms is limited to the amount you paid for the session. The Studio is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.

11. Maryland sales tax

Photography services in Maryland — whether delivered as digital files, prints, albums, or any combination — are subject to Maryland sales and use tax at the rate of 6% per Md. Code Ann., Tax-Gen. §11-101 et seq. and the Comptroller's guidance for photography products. Applicable tax is itemized on your quote and invoice; the totals you accept include this tax unless explicitly stated otherwise.

12. Governing law

These Booking Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Maryland. Disputes will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts of Prince George's County, Maryland.

13. Entire agreement

These Booking Terms, together with the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the quote you accept, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Studio. Modifications must be in writing and signed by both parties.

14. Contact

Questions? admin@banakinstudios.com