These Terms and Conditions apply to all photography services provided by Irene Chaikeen Photography in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, UK.

This Agreement governs all photography services provided by Irene Chaikeen Photography (hereinafter referred to as “the Photographer”). By engaging the Photographer’s services, the Client (hereinafter referred to as “you”) agrees to be bound by these Terms and Conditions in their entirety.

1. Fees and Payment Structure

1.1 A non-refundable session fee is required to secure your photoshoot date, as it reserves time in the Photographer’s schedule. The fee amount varies depending on the day of the week:

Monday to Friday sessions: £99
Saturday and Sunday sessions: £175

1.2 The session fee is payable in full at the time of booking. This fee covers:

Personalised preparation including email and telephone consultations.
Studio preparation and exclusive session time.
A 3-hour photoshoot including newborn portraits, family groupings, and sibling photographs.
Use of professional-quality props and accessories.

1.3 The session fee does not include digital files or printed products. These are selected and purchased separately after your image viewing session. There is no obligation to purchase anything until you have viewed and chosen your favourite images.

1.4 In the unlikely event that the Photographer must cancel the session, the session fee shall be refunded in full within 14 working days.

1.5 For newborn sessions:

A provisional date will be booked within the first 10 days of your due date.
The final date must be confirmed within 48 hours of birth.
For babies born before 37 weeks gestation, sessions may be postponed until the adjusted age of 2 weeks. Special sanitisation protocols will apply.
If the baby requires medical care, the session may be postponed up to 6 weeks with a doctor’s note. Sessions cancelled without medical justification will forfeit the session fee.

2. Session Provisions

2.1 The Photographer retains exclusive artistic discretion regarding:

Posing techniques
Prop selection
Image curation
Editing style, including but not limited to colour grading and retouching

2.2 The Client acknowledges that:

Children’s cooperation cannot be guaranteed.
Specific requested shots may not be achievable.
The Photographer’s creative judgment shall be final.

2.3 Session hours are 10:00 to 13:00 Monday to Friday. Sessions commencing outside these hours may incur additional charges.

2.4 Due to limited studio space, only parents/guardians and subjects being photographed may attend sessions.

2.5 Any client requests regarding session styling must be shared at least 48 hours before the scheduled session.

2.6 The use of personal cameras or mobile phones during the session is strictly prohibited. The Photographer reserves the right to terminate the session without refund if this policy is violated.

3. Image Delivery and Archiving

3.1 A proofing gallery shall be delivered within 10 working days after your session.

3.2 Final high-resolution digital files will be ready within 7 to 14 calendar days from the date of image selection during your personal viewing session.

3.3 The Photographer shall maintain archival copies of your images for 3 months from the session date. After this period, the Photographer accepts no liability for file loss or degradation.

3.4 Clients must select their final images within 4 weeks of receiving the image gallery.

4. Intellectual Property Rights

4.1 The Photographer retains copyright of all images under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

4.2 The Client is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence for personal use, including:

Private printing.
Personal social media sharing (with photographer credit).
Non-commercial display.

4.3 Prohibited uses include:

Commercial exploitation.
Unauthorised editing or alteration.
Third-party publication without express written consent.

4.4 The Photographer reserves the right to use any images for:

Portfolio display.
Marketing materials.
Competition submission.
Educational purposes
Written opt-out available upon request at the time of booking.

4.5 When sharing images online, clients must tag @irenechaikeenphoto and keep all watermarks intact. The application of filters or the cropping of watermarked images is prohibited.

5. Liability and Limitations

5.1 The Photographer carries full public liability insurance (£1 million coverage).

5.2 In the event of equipment failure, illness or other unforeseen circumstances, the Photographer’s liability shall be limited to:

Rescheduling the session
Full refund of fees paid

5.3 The Photographer shall not be liable for:

Missed shots due to the subject’s uncooperativeness
Inclement weather affecting outdoor sessions (the Photographer will make the final decision 24 hours before the session)
Client-supplied wardrobe malfunctions

5.4 Sessions cancelled with 5 days' notice or less due to illness qualify for one free reschedule. For children over 1 month old, a doctor’s note may be required. Rescheduling after the session has commenced will incur a £25 fee.

6. Health and Safety Provisions

6.1 Newborn Studio Hygiene Policy:

All props and fabrics are thoroughly sanitised between sessions.
Hand sanitation is provided (please note the studio has no sink).
The Photographer will wear a mask upon the client’s request.

6.2 Facility Notice: The studio has no toilet facilities; clients may use the bathroom in the Photographer’s home if needed.

6.3 For babies showing contagious symptoms (fever, vomiting, unexplained rash), the session will be rescheduled.

7. Additional Policies

7.1 Unedited RAW files remain the Photographer’s property and are not released to clients under any circumstances.

7.2 The Photographer may share 1-2 watermarked preview images (“sneak peeks”) after product purchases have been made.

7.3 All personal data collected is processed in accordance with UK GDPR. Clients may request data deletion after service completion, except where retention is required for legal or accounting purposes (e.g., HMRC records).

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England.

Last Updated: May 2025

Contact Information:
Irene Chaikeen Photography
Buckhurst Hill, Essex, UK
Email: irene.chaikeen@gmail.com
Phone: +44 777 0 997 232