Working solo means you're the one chasing deposits, defining scope, and protecting your footage — a solid freelance contract does all three before a shoot ever starts. This template is built for independent videographers taking on direct clients or subcontracted production work.
This is a starting point, not legal advice. Contract laws vary by state, province, and country. Have a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction review this template — and adjust the bracketed terms — before you send it to a client or rely on it to protect your business.
Freelancer agrees to provide videography services to Client for [Project Name/Description] on [Date(s)].
Scope covers filming, and where specified, editing. Any work requested outside this scope (additional shoot days, extra deliverables, expedited turnaround) requires a written change order and separate fee.
If Freelancer is subcontracted through a production company or agency, that relationship and reporting line should be named here explicitly.
This engagement is (check one and delete the other): [ ] Direct engagement — Service Provider is contracted directly by Client, the end recipient of the work, with no other business acting as an intermediary; or [ ] Subcontracted engagement — Service Provider is engaged by [Hiring Business/Agency/Production Company Name] ("Hiring Party") to perform work on behalf of Hiring Party's own client. Where subcontracted, Service Provider's contractual relationship is with Hiring Party only, and Hiring Party remains solely responsible for its own agreement with the end client, including that client's payment obligations.
Service Provider is an independent contractor, not an employee, partner, or agent of Client or Hiring Party. Service Provider is responsible for their own taxes (including self-employment tax), insurance, equipment, and business licensing. Nothing in this agreement creates a joint venture, partnership, or employment relationship, and Service Provider is not entitled to employee benefits of any kind.
Service Provider controls the manner and method of performing the work and may, where subcontracted, be identified to the end client as the person performing the work, subject to any confidentiality or non-disclosure terms separately agreed with Hiring Party.
Total fee: $[Amount]. [X]% deposit due at signing, balance due upon delivery of final files or within [X] days of invoice, whichever is sooner.
Freelancer invoices directly; Client agrees to pay via [payment method]. A [X]% late fee applies to invoices unpaid after [X] days.
Mileage, travel, and equipment rental costs beyond a [X]-mile radius are billed separately and itemized on the invoice.
Cancellations made more than [X] days in advance forfeit the deposit only. Cancellations inside [X] days owe [X]% of the total fee.
Freelancer may reschedule once due to illness or emergency without penalty, with a replacement date offered within [X] days.
Final deliverables: [X] edited video(s) in [format], delivered within [X] business days via [delivery method].
Client is granted a license to use final deliverables for their stated business purpose. Freelancer retains raw footage and portfolio/self-promotion rights unless otherwise agreed in writing.
This agreement includes [X] rounds of revisions; additional revision rounds are billed hourly.
Freelancer is not responsible for footage loss due to equipment failure, third-party interference, or conditions outside their control, and will notify Client promptly if this occurs.
Client agrees to indemnify Freelancer against third-party claims resulting from Client's use or distribution of the final video.
Where this engagement is subcontracted through a Hiring Party, indemnification and insurance obligations run between Service Provider and Hiring Party as named in Section 2; Service Provider has no direct contractual relationship with, and assumes no liability toward, the end client unless separately agreed in writing.
This agreement is entered into by and between [Business Name] ("Service Provider") and [Client Name / Hiring Party Name] ("Client") as of [Date].
Service Provider Signature: _________________________ Date: _____________
Client Signature: _________________________ Date: _____________
Treat it as a starting point, not a finished legal document. Contract law varies by state, province, and country, and this template cannot account for every situation. Fill in the bracketed terms, then have a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction review it before you send it to a client or rely on it to protect your business.
A freelance contract is between one individual and the client directly, so it should clarify whether the freelancer is working solo or subcontracted through an agency, who the invoice goes to, and who owns final approval — production company contracts usually add layers for crew, equipment rental, and agency markup that a solo freelancer doesn't need.
Yes — a non-refundable deposit (typically 30-50%) is standard practice and compensates you for reserving the date even if the client cancels. Without one, cancellations cost you the booking with no recourse.
Yes, many freelancers shoot both. Just update the scope of work section to list photo and video deliverables separately, since usage rights and revision counts often differ between the two mediums.
Load this template into SupaBook to send clients a clean online link instead of an emailed PDF. Clients e-sign from any device — no printing, no account required. Every contract tracks its status (draft, awaiting signature, fully signed) against the client record, and each signature captures name, email, IP address, timestamp, and user agent. Plans start at $15/mo, with e-signature and contract tracking included on every plan.
Canonical page: Freelance Videographer Contract Template (Free) canonical page