Terms & Conditions

DUMO XABA STUDIOS TERMS & CONDITIONS

Effective Date: 12 January 2026

Applies to: All Clients working with Dumo Xaba Studios

At Dumo Xaba Studios, exceptional creativity is built on clear expectations. These Terms & Conditions are designed to protect your investment and uphold the standard of excellence we stand for.

By confirming your invoice and submitting payment, you acknowledge and accept these Terms & Conditions in full. Booking a session or engaging our services constitutes full agreement with the terms outlined below.

1. BOOKINGS & CONFIRMATIONS

1.1 Securing Your Booking

All bookings must be confirmed in writing via email or WhatsApp.
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your date. Until this deposit is paid, your date remains open and may be offered to other clients.

The balance is due on or before the day of the session.
No images, previews, galleries, or edits will be released until full payment has cleared.

1.2 Deposit Deadline

Invoices must be settled within 5 business days of issue. If the deposit is not paid within this period, the date may automatically be released.

1.3 Rescheduling Policy

We understand that plans can change.
Clients may reschedule once without any fee, provided that at least 7 days’ notice is given.

Rescheduling with less than 7 days’ notice may incur a rescheduling fee of 20–30% of the total session fee, depending on complexity and demand.

The original 50% deposit will transfer to the new date only if a new confirmed date is selected at the time of rescheduling.

If no alternative date is available, this will be treated as a cancellation.

1.4 Cancellations

All deposits are non-refundable under any circumstances.
Cancellations must be submitted in writing.

If a cancellation occurs within 7 days of the scheduled session, Dumo Xaba Studios may invoice an additional 30% cancellation charge to cover the reserved time.

No-shows or same-day cancellations are charged 100% of the session fee.

1.5 Additional Costs

Any extra costs—such as travel fees, parking, location permits, studio hire, or special equipment—will be communicated in advance and included in the final invoice.

1.6 Session Timing

Sessions begin and end at the scheduled time.
Client delays do not extend the session.
If additional time is needed due to client delay, an overtime fee per hour as stated in the quotation applies.

To ensure availability, we recommend booking at least two weeks in advance.

2. PAYMENT TERMS

2.1 A booking is only confirmed once the 50% deposit has been received. The remaining balance is due on or before the day of the shoot.

2.2 Payments must be made via EFT in South African Rand (ZAR). Proof of payment is required to validate a booking.

2.3 No deliverables—final images, videos, previews, or galleries—will be released until all outstanding payments have cleared.

2.4 Third-party costs (location fees, access fees, permits, etc.) are the client’s responsibility unless otherwise arranged.

2.5 In cases of unresolved payment disputes, both parties agree to pursue mediation or arbitration before legal action.

2.6 Dumo Xaba Studios reserves the right to amend these Terms & Conditions at any time. Active clients will be notified of updates.

3. COPYRIGHT & USAGE

3.1 Ownership

All images, videos, and creative content remain the exclusive intellectual property of Dumo Xaba Studios.

3.2 Personal & Business Usage License

Clients receive a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use delivered images and videos as follows:

  • Personal Clients:
    Prints, social media, personal websites, and private display.
  • Business / Commercial Clients:
    Marketing, social media, internal promotions, websites, and advertising as specifically stated in the quotation or service agreement.
    Broader commercial usage may require a separate licensing fee.

3.3 Editing Restrictions

To maintain artistic integrity:

  • Clients may not edit, retouch, alter, filter, or manipulate the images.
  • RAW files are not included in any package and are not available for purchase unless explicitly agreed upon.

3.4 Photographer Portfolio Rights

Dumo Xaba Studios may use images for portfolio display, website galleries, exhibitions, and marketing.
Clients may request a Privacy add-on if they prefer their images not to be used publicly (to be agreed upon in writing before final delivery).

4. DELIVERABLES

Dumo Xaba Studios is committed to work that reflects craftsmanship and refined visual storytelling.

4.1 Number of Images

Clients will receive the number of edited photographs and/or videos as stated in the package booked.

4.2 Turnaround Time

Turnaround time is determined by:

  • The nature of the shoot
  • Seasonal demand
  • What is stipulated in your quotation

Standard timeframes vary; clients will be informed in writing.

4.3 Retouching & Editing Policy

4.3.1 Scope of Editing

Final images are professionally edited to maintain a consistent, high-quality aesthetic.

Basic adjustments (colour correction, exposure, cropping, minor blemish removal) are included in all packages.

4.3.2 Advanced Editing / Manipulation

Requests beyond standard retouching (e.g., body reshaping, background replacement, compositing) are considered advanced and incur additional fees.

All advanced requests must be agreed in writing before work begins.

4.3.3 Number of Revisions

Clients may request up to one round of minor revisions per image or gallery.

Further revisions will be billed at the agreed hourly or per-image rate.

4.3.4 Artistic Style

The Photographer retains final artistic discretion over colour grading, cropping, and composition to maintain the style consistent with Dumo Xaba Studios’s brand and standards.

4.3.5 Turnaround

Editing timelines are provided per package or quotation. Delays due to extensive retouching will be communicated in advance.

4.4 Video Editing & Revisions

4.4.1 Included Edits

Final videos are edited for continuity, colour grading, audio balancing, and inclusion of agreed graphics or titles.

Standard editing includes one final cut per deliverable as specified in the package or quotation.

4.4.2 Revisions

Clients may request up to two rounds of minor revisions per final video.

Minor revisions include short changes to timing, text, or audio adjustments.

Additional revisions, including major structural changes, extended re-cuts, full audio replacement, or additional shooting or graphics, will incur an additional fee.

4.4.3 Advanced Edits / Additional Deliverables

Requests such as extended edits, multiple cuts, alternative formats, motion graphics, or special effects are considered advanced and billed separately.

All advanced requests must be agreed in writing before work begins.

4.4.4 Turnaround Time

Editing timelines are provided per package or quotation. Delays due to extensive revisions will be communicated in advance.

4.5 Delivery Method

Final deliverables are delivered via a secure private online link.
Alternative delivery methods must be arranged in writing beforehand.

4.6 Client Download Responsibility

Clients must download and securely store their files within 7 days.
After this period, Dumo Xaba Studios cannot guarantee file retrieval.

4.7 Archival Storage

Final images are stored for 24 months after delivery.
After this period, archival storage is not guaranteed.

4.8 RAW Files

RAW files are not provided as part of any package.

5. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

To ensure a premium, efficient experience, clients are responsible for:

  • Securing all necessary location permissions
  • Obtaining consent from individuals being photographed or filmed
  • Providing branding guidelines, reference material, or shot lists at least 48 hours before the shoot
  • Ensuring the location is accessible and prepared at the agreed start time
  • Maintaining a safe, respectful environment for the photography and videography team

Delays caused by lack of access or preparation may reduce shooting time or incur additional costs.

Weather & Safety

Dumo Xaba Studios reserves the right to pause or postpone sessions due to severe weather or unsafe conditions.
Rescheduling will be accommodated where possible.

6. CUSTOM PROJECT TERMS

Large-scale productions, commercial campaigns, and retainer contracts may require separate project-specific agreements.
These terms will be outlined and signed before work begins.

7. LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY

7.1 Dumo Xaba Studios exercises the utmost care in all sessions. However, we are not liable for injury, accidents, or damage to client property during the shoot.

7.2 The client agrees to indemnify Dumo Xaba Studios against any losses or claims resulting from:

  • Breach of these Terms & Conditions
  • Negligent acts by the client or their representatives
  • Misuse of deliverables

8. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms & Conditions are governed by South African law.
Disputes fall under the jurisdiction of South African courts.

FINAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By booking a session, confirming an invoice, paying a deposit, or engaging Dumo Xaba Studios in any capacity, the client confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these Terms & Conditions.