Terms of Service

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the Photographer Kyoto website and your booking of photography sessions with us. By submitting an enquiry, confirming a booking, or paying for a session, you agree to these Terms. Please read them carefully.

1. Who we are

Service provider: Photographer Kyoto
Location: Kyoto, Japan
Email: [email protected]

2. Services

We provide professional photography sessions in Kyoto and, by arrangement, surrounding areas (such as Nara or Osaka). Packages, locations, deliverables, and prices are described on our website. Each package includes a defined number of locations, hand-retouched portraits, all session photos with my preset applied, and all session files unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Submitting the booking form is an enquiry only. A session is confirmed when we accept your booking in writing (email) and any required deposit or payment has been received.

3. Prices and payment

• Prices are listed in US dollars (USD) unless otherwise stated.
• Prices on the website are guides; your final quote may reflect add-ons, travel outside Kyoto, private transport, or custom arrangements.
• Payment terms (deposit amount, balance due date, and accepted methods) will be confirmed at booking.
• Transportation, temple or location entry fees, kimono rental, and third-party services are not included unless explicitly stated.
• You are responsible for any bank or currency conversion fees charged by your payment provider.

4. Cancellation and rescheduling

Because we reserve time and plan locations in advance, the following applies unless we agree otherwise in writing:

• More than 14 days before the session: full refund of any deposit paid, or free reschedule subject to availability.
• 7–14 days before: deposit may be applied to a rescheduled date within 12 months, or partially refunded at our discretion.
• Less than 7 days before: deposit is non-refundable. The balance, if already paid, may be partially credited toward a future session at our discretion.
• No-show: no refund.

We may cancel or reschedule due to illness, emergency, or circumstances beyond our control. In that case you will receive a full refund or priority rescheduling at no extra cost.

5. Weather and unforeseen conditions

Light rain or overcast conditions are not grounds for automatic cancellation — Kyoto can be beautiful in varied weather, and we have covered alternatives. If conditions make photography unsafe or impractical, we will reschedule at no extra charge.

6. Your responsibilities

• Arrive on time at the agreed meeting point. Late arrival may reduce shooting time without a price reduction.
• Follow reasonable direction for posing, safety, and respect for locations (temple rules, crowd flow, etc.).
• Ensure all participants can lawfully be photographed and that any required permissions (for example for commercial use of a location) are obtained.
• Inform us in advance of mobility needs, young children, or other factors that affect planning.
• Behave respectfully toward our team, other visitors, and location staff. We may end a session without refund if conduct is abusive, unsafe, or unlawful.

7. Deliverables and timelines

• Standard delivery is via Google Drive within approximately 7 business days after the session unless expedited delivery is purchased.
• Expedited delivery (48 hours) and USB shipping are available as add-ons with timelines stated on the website.
• Retouching covers colour, exposure, and natural editorial polish. Extensive compositing, body reshaping, or special effects are not included unless agreed in advance.
• We retain working files as needed for delivery and backup. Raw files are available only if purchased as an add-on.

8. Intellectual property and usage rights

• We retain copyright in all photographs we create.
• Upon full payment, you receive a personal-use licence to print, share with family and friends, and post on personal social media.
• Commercial use (advertising, resale, stock licensing, brand campaigns) requires a separate written licence.
• You may not claim authorship, sublicense images to third parties for commercial use, or use images in a way that is defamatory or unlawful.
• We will not publish your images on our website, portfolio, or social media without your separate explicit consent.

9. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law:

• Our total liability for any claim arising from a session is limited to the amount you paid us for that session.
• We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential losses (including lost travel costs, accommodation, or opportunity) except where such limitation is prohibited by law.
• Nothing in these Terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any liability that cannot be excluded under the Consumer Contract Act of Japan or other mandatory consumer protection laws.

Clients from the EU, UK, and USA retain all mandatory rights under their local consumer protection laws that cannot be waived by contract.

10. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify us against claims arising from your breach of these Terms, misuse of delivered images, or unlawful conduct during a session, except to the extent caused by our negligence or wilful misconduct.

11. Website use

• Website content (text, images, design) is owned by us or our licensors. You may not copy, scrape, or redistribute it without permission.
• Gallery images on the site are representative work and may not depict your exact session locations on the day.
• We may update prices, packages, and site content without notice. Confirmed bookings are honoured at the agreed price.

12. Privacy

Our collection and use of personal information is described in our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms.

13. Japan — specified commercial transactions

Under Japan's Act on Specified Commercial Transactions, the following information is provided for online bookings:

Item	Details
Seller	Photographer Kyoto
Operator	Contact [email protected] for operator name and address
Contact	[email protected]
Price	As listed on the website and in your booking confirmation (USD)
Additional charges	Add-ons, travel, transport, location fees, and shipping as described on the site or quote
Payment method	Confirmed at booking (e.g. bank transfer, card, or other agreed method)
Payment timing	Deposit on confirmation; balance per booking email
Service delivery	Photography session on agreed date; digital delivery via Google Drive or USB
Cancellation	See Section 4 above

14. Governing law and disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of Japan, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Subject to mandatory consumer protections in your country of residence, the courts of Kyoto, Japan shall have exclusive jurisdiction over disputes arising from these Terms or our services.

EU and UK consumers may also have the right to bring proceedings in their country of residence where required by law.

15. Changes

We may update these Terms from time to time. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised date. Changes apply to new bookings after publication. Confirmed bookings remain subject to the Terms in effect at confirmation, unless we agree otherwise.

16. Contact

Questions about these Terms:
[email protected]
Kyoto, Japan

These Terms are a general template tailored to our service model. They are not a substitute for individual legal advice. Have a qualified attorney review them if you need certainty for your business structure or jurisdiction.