Refund Policy

At Silent Groves Photography, we strive to provide exceptional photography services and products. We understand that circumstances may arise that necessitate cancellations or changes to your booking. This Refund Policy outlines our guidelines regarding deposits, payments, cancellations, and refunds.

1. Photography Session Bookings

1.1 Deposits

To secure your photography session date and time, we require a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total session fee. This deposit is applied toward your total session fee.

1.2 Payment Schedule

The remaining balance (75% of the total session fee) is due 7 days prior to your scheduled session date. For bookings made less than 7 days before the session date, the full payment is required at the time of booking.

1.3 Cancellation by Client

Our refund policy for client cancellations is as follows:

Cancellation Timeframe	Refund Amount
More than 30 days before session	Full refund minus the non-refundable deposit (25%)
14-30 days before session	50% refund of total session fee
Less than 14 days before session	No refund

1.4 Rescheduling

If you need to reschedule your session:

• Rescheduling requests made more than 14 days before the original session date can be accommodated at no additional charge, subject to our availability
• One reschedule is permitted without penalty
• Additional rescheduling requests or requests made less than 14 days before the original session date may incur an administrative fee of £50
• Your deposit will be transferred to the new session date

2. Wedding Photography

2.1 Booking Fee and Payment Schedule

For wedding photography bookings:

• A non-refundable booking fee of 30% of the total package price is required to secure your wedding date
• An additional payment of 30% is due 6 months before the wedding date
• The remaining balance (40%) is due 30 days before the wedding date

2.2 Cancellation by Client

Our refund policy for wedding cancellations is as follows:

Cancellation Timeframe	Refund Amount
More than 9 months before wedding	Full refund minus the non-refundable booking fee (30%)
6-9 months before wedding	50% refund of any payments made beyond the booking fee
3-6 months before wedding	25% refund of any payments made beyond the booking fee
Less than 3 months before wedding	No refund

2.3 Date Changes

If you need to change your wedding date:

• Date changes requested more than 6 months before the original wedding date can be accommodated without penalty, subject to our availability
• If we are unavailable on your new date, our standard cancellation policy will apply
• Date changes requested less than 6 months before the original wedding date will be treated as a cancellation and new booking

3. Digital Products and Online Purchases

3.1 Digital Downloads

Due to the nature of digital products:

• All purchases of digital files, including individual images or digital packages, are final
• No refunds will be issued once digital files have been delivered or download links have been provided
• If you experience technical difficulties with your download, please contact us within 7 days for assistance

3.2 Online Gallery Access

Extensions to online gallery access can be purchased. These extensions are non-refundable once activated.

4. Physical Products

4.1 Custom Products

For custom-designed products (albums, wall art, etc.):

• A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to begin design work
• The remaining 50% is due upon approval of the final design before production
• Once you've approved the final design, no refunds will be issued as these items are custom-made to your specifications

4.2 Defective Products

If you receive a defective product:

• Please notify us within 7 days of receipt with photos of the defect
• If we determine the product is defective due to manufacturing, we will replace it at no additional cost
• Shipping costs for replacement items may be covered at our discretion

4.3 Print Orders

For standard print orders:

• All print orders are final once submitted for production
• We cannot offer refunds for style preferences or color variations that fall within normal printing standards
• Defective or damaged prints will be replaced at no charge if reported within 7 days of receipt

5. Cancellation by Photographer

5.1 Illness or Emergency

In the unlikely event that we must cancel due to illness, injury, or other emergency:

• We will make every effort to find a qualified replacement photographer of similar style and experience
• If no suitable replacement can be found, you will receive a full refund of all payments made
• Our liability is limited to the return of all payments made

5.2 Extreme Circumstances

In case of cancellation due to extreme circumstances beyond our control (natural disasters, venue closures, etc.):

• We will work with you to reschedule at no additional cost
• If rescheduling is not possible, a full refund will be provided minus any non-recoverable expenses already incurred on your behalf

6. Weather-Related Cancellations

For outdoor sessions that need to be rescheduled due to inclement weather:

• The decision to reschedule due to weather conditions will be made at our professional discretion
• No additional fees will be charged for weather-related rescheduling
• If rescheduling is not possible within 60 days, you may request a refund minus a 15% administrative fee

7. Refund Process

When a refund is approved:

• Refunds will be processed using the original payment method when possible
• Please allow up to 14 business days for the refund to appear in your account
• Credit card processing fees (approximately 2.9%) are non-refundable

8. Gift Certificates

For gift certificates purchased from Silent Groves Photography:

• Gift certificates are non-refundable but are transferable to another person
• Gift certificates expire 12 months from the date of purchase unless otherwise specified
• Lost or stolen gift certificates cannot be replaced

9. Special Promotions and Discounted Services

Sessions or products purchased at a discounted rate or through special promotions:

• May have different cancellation and refund terms as specified in the promotion
• Are generally non-refundable unless otherwise stated
• Cannot be combined with other offers or applied retroactively