Terms of Service

Terms of Service & Studio Policies

1. Retainers and Booking

A 50% non-refundable retainer and a signed production agreement are required to secure all dates. No date is held or "penciled in" without both the retainer and the agreement.

2. Payment Schedule

  • Weddings: The remaining 50% balance is due 30 days prior to the wedding date.

  • Commercial, Video, & All Other Services: The final balance is due prior to the release of high-resolution assets or final video exports. Studio Ascension reserves the right to withhold deliverables until the invoice is settled in full.

3. Post-Production & Revisions

  • Photography: Standard retouching is included as per the specific tier booked. Additional high-end retouching beyond the included amount is billed at $75 per image.

  • Video Production: "Standard" and "Cinematic" tiers include one (1) round of consolidated revisions. Additional revisions or changes to the creative brief after production has begun are billed at $150/hr. "Utility" edits do not include revisions.

4. Rescheduling & Cancellations

  • Rescheduling: Clients may move their date once with at least 72 hours' notice (Weddings require 30 days' notice) without forfeiting the retainer. New dates are subject to studio availability.

  • Cancellations: Cancellations or no-shows result in the immediate forfeiture of the non-refundable retainer. If Studio Ascension must cancel due to an emergency/act of god, all payments (including the retainer) will be refunded.

5. Usage & Licensing (The Investment Matrix)

  • Personal Use: Assets are for private, non-commercial use only.

  • Commercial Non-Exclusive: Assets are licensed for brand marketing (Web, Social, PR) for a 2-year term.

  • Exclusive/Buyouts: Grants the client perpetual, exclusive rights to the assets. This must be specified in the production agreement. Studio Ascension retains the right to use all assets for self-promotion/portfolio use unless a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is signed.

6. Travel & Expenses

Travel within a 50-mile radius of the studio is included. Locations outside this radius are billed at $0.75/mile. For overnight or destination productions, the client is responsible for all airfare, lodging, and per diem expenses.

7. Creative Control

Studio Ascension retains creative control over the editing process. While we welcome client input during the "Discovery" phase, final artistic decisions regarding color grading, composition, and "selects" are made by the studio to maintain brand quality.