POLICIES
Basic Client Requirements
With the exception of family sessions, all clients must be at least 18 years old! All clients must sign a contract ensuring they have read and understand the policies provided for the sessions.
For new clients, there will be a phone call to discuss what you want for the shoot, where you want to shoot, and any other details. This can also be done with direct messaging, but is typically easier to get the details right through verbal communication.
After the initial meeting, you will be asked to fill out an agreement form, validating that you understand all the policies and terms of agreements for the photoshoots.
Date Reservation & Payment Policies*
You must pay a 50% non-refundable retainer to reserve your date and time slot. This will cover the initial meeting, location scout, and travel time. The rest of the payment must be completed by the start of the shoot.
*For TFP clients, this does not apply.
Showing Up Late
Please plan accordingly to make sure you are on time for your session. If you are at risk of being late please contact me immediately to see what we can do.
All clients are allowed a 10-minute unexcused “grace period” if they show up late. Afterward, you will begin to lose some of your time allotted (i.e. if you are 20 minutes late for a 2-hour shoot, your shoot will then be 1 hour and 50 minutes). Any client who is more than thirty minutes late risks will have their shoot canceled.
If I am late for any reason, you will gain additional time for your shoot for NO EXTRA COST. (i.e. if I’m 10 minutes late for a 1-hour shoot, your shoot will be 1 hour and 10 minutes)
Cancelation Policy*
If you must cancel your session, please contact myself at least 24 hours beforehand. Your nonrefundable deposit may be applied to a rescheduled shoot if it is within 7 days of the initial date. Any more days, you will have to pay a new 50% deposit.
*For TFP clients, this does not apply.
Turn Around
After our session, you will receive a sneak peek photo within 48 hours of our session. For paid clients, you will receive the rest of the photographs within 4-6 weeks of our session. Clients will have the chance to choose their preferred photos. However, the photos selected may not be available or capable of being edited due to a variety of reasons (such as shots being out of focus, colors being off due to change of sun, editing time exceeding the limit, etc.)
You will receive a Google Drive link with all the photos and you will have 30 days to download all the files. After that, the link will expire.
TFP Policies
TFP clients may receive their images past the 4-6 week window due to an overflow of paid shoots which shall always be prioritized first. Some TFP clients my not receive their photos up to three months past the shooting date.
Clients may get their photos within the 4-6 week period if they pay full price for the session.
TFP will receive a minimum of ten photos, and will only get more if time is allowed or if agreed on.
POSTING ONLINE / SOCIAL MEDIA POLICIES
You are allowed to post any / all photos to any of your personal sites, portfolios, and/or social media. However, there are different guidelines that you must follow depending on where you are posting and what for.
For all platforms, you are NOT allowed to:
•Edit the photos
•Add filters or change the color grade
•Post the photos without some form or credit
You DO NOT own the copyright of any of the photos unless discussed or paid for with a separate fee.
For Instagram (Non-Paid Promotional/Sponsorship Posts)
Click here to see a visual guideline for posting on Instagram
In addition to a regular high-quality export of your photographs, you will be provided an additional export created specifically to be used to post on Instagram. The photo will be traditionally provided as a 4 x 5 aspect ratio, which is ideal for portraits.
When posting you must do the following:
•Post the photo in the full aspect ratio
•Tag @kylecostama in your post
•Put “Photos by: @kylecostama” at the top of the caption
You are also allowed to post the photos on your story (as long as you tag @kylecostama) and you’re allowed to make your photos your profile picture.
For Other Sites (Non-Paid Promotional/Sponsorship Posts)
You are allowed to post any photos in any of the export aspect ratios provided.
Please make sure you post in the captions or post description: “Photos by Kyle Costa (www.kyle-costa.com)” or “Photos by Kyle Costa (www.instragram.com/kylecostama)”
For PPV, Sponsorship and/or Online Fan Subscriptions Posts
You are allowed to use the posts for any sponsorships or revenue, as long as it is discussed and agreed to prior. As each post type is different, there will be a negotiation and basic policy agreements that must be agreed to before our session. For more information, please contact me personally or bring it up during our meeting.
For My Own Site / Social Media
As part of the agreement for our session, you will be asked to sign a consent form allowing the photos to be posted on any social media platform / online portfolio at my discretion.
You will be credited and tagged on any social media posts.
However, if for any reason you do not want the photos to be posted online OR you do not want to be tagged in any of the posts please let me know before our session.
FAQ
How are your photos edited?
The number one policy with my portrait photos is to keep everything as natural as possible. Meaning, I don’t edit anything that is part-of who someone is. The only photo touch ups are done are temporary blemishes (i.e. acne, untamed hair, a broken nail) and any distractions.
I don’t edit anyone’s body or change their appearance. We already live in a society where social media highness false realities and creates unhealthy beauty standards. The last thing I want to do is contribute to that or add to someone's body dysmorphia.
Can I bring someone with me to our session?
Absolutely! The number one mission is to create a comfortable and safe environment for everyone involved. I will always encourage any client to bring whomever they want to the session.
Do you do weddings, events, birthdays, and/or senior portraits?
As of right now, I do not. I specify more fashion style and artistic shoots.
Can I purchase the RAWS from you?
Unfortunately I do not give any RAW photos for clients.
For myself and other photographers, we shoot with editing in mind as part-of the process, meaning that the photos captured in camera is an incomplete part of the project. The post-processing of photos are part-of the photographers’ work method / creative expression. And to keep the photographs as our own work, it’s essential to not give away any RAWs.
There are no exceptions to this rule.
I want to do a shoot, but am not comfortable posting the photos online. Is that okay?
Of course! While these photoshoots do serve as an artistic medium, the main purpose for these sessions are to make you feel comfortable and free. These photos are first and foremost, for you to love your skin and your skin. And to not force yourself to be in a position that makes you feel not safe.