Boudoir Studio Policies: Deposits to Privacy

Why written policies protect both of you

Policies feel bureaucratic until something goes wrong: a last-minute cancellation, a guest who wants to film on set, or a request to delete images years later. Writing your policies down ahead of time means you answer those moments consistently and kindly, without improvising.

Clear policies also reassure clients. A boudoir client who reads exactly how deposits, privacy, and delivery work is more likely to trust you than one who has to ask.

This is a planning guide, not legal advice. Have your contract and policies reviewed by a qualified professional where you work.

Deposits and payment

A booking deposit or session fee secures the date and covers the time you spend preparing. State whether it is refundable, what it covers, and when the remaining balance or collection payment is due.

• Amount of the deposit or session fee and what it secures.
• Whether the deposit is refundable and under what circumstances.
• When remaining payments are due.
• Payment plan terms, if you offer them.

Rescheduling and cancellations

Life happens, and boudoir sessions often move because of illness, nerves, or schedules. A fair rescheduling policy keeps the client's deposit working for them while protecting your calendar.

• How much notice is needed to reschedule without a fee.
• How many times a session can be rescheduled.
• What happens to the deposit if the client cancels.
• What happens if you need to reschedule, including illness.
• How weather or venue issues are handled for location sessions.

Guests, phones, and recording on set

Decide in advance who can be present during a session. Some clients want a friend for support; others want complete privacy. Whatever you allow, say so before the session day.

• Whether guests are allowed, and how many.
• Whether guests may photograph or film on their phones.
• Whether you record behind-the-scenes content, and only with written consent.
• Who else may be present, such as a hair and makeup artist or assistant.

Image use and consent

Your image-use policy should match your consent form. State plainly that nothing is shared without written consent, describe the consent options, and explain how a client can change their choice later.

• Default: no sharing without written consent.
• Consent options, such as private viewing, anonymous portfolio, or identifiable use.
• How to withdraw or narrow consent, and what can and cannot be recalled.
• Whether clients may share their own images, and how they should credit you if they choose to.

Delivery timelines

Clients want to know when they will see their images. Set realistic timelines for proofs, favorites deadlines, retouched finals, and physical products, and keep to them.

• When proofs will be ready and how they are delivered.
• The deadline for choosing favorites, and what happens if it passes.
• When retouched finals will be delivered.
• Production times for albums and prints.

Retention, archiving, and deletion

State how long you keep files and galleries, how clients can download their finals, and how they can ask you to delete images. Clients who are worried about privacy often care more about this policy than any other.

Make sure the policy matches how your tools actually behave. In Framekeep, studio galleries move to a reversible archive 14 days after creation, where client access closes but images are kept until you restore or delete them, and free anonymous galleries are deleted after 14 days. Describe your own process in those concrete terms.

• How long the client gallery stays open.
• How long you keep original and edited files.
• How a client can request deletion, and how quickly you act.
• How you store backups and who can access them.