Terms.

These Terms (“Terms”) govern every project booked with Creative Light Studio (“the Studio”, “we”, “us”), a New York-based photography and videography business operated by Youssouf Sooba, and the person or organization booking the work (“the Client”, “you”).

Submitting the booking form, paying the deposit, or signing a quote means you agree to these Terms. If something here conflicts with a signed quote or written contract for a specific project, the signed document wins.

• A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your date. Until the deposit clears, the slot is not held.
• The remaining 50% is due before final files are released to you.
• Accepted payment methods: major credit/debit cards, ACH transfer, and Zelle. International clients: bank wire, with banking fees on the Client.
• Prices listed on /services are in USD and exclude any applicable sales tax.

• Cancellation more than 48 hours before the shoot: free of charge, the deposit is held as credit toward a future session within 6 months.
• Cancellation less than 48 hours before the shoot: the deposit is forfeit.
• Rescheduling: one reschedule is included at no cost if requested more than 48 hours before. Repeated reschedules may incur a $75 calendar fee.
• If we cancel for any reason (illness, equipment failure, force majeure), you receive a full refund of any amount paid, including the deposit, with no further liability.

• Sessions start at the agreed time. Late arrivals eat into the booked block; we do not extend sessions without prior agreement.
• If you booked an on-site location, you are responsible for any location permits, fees, parking, or access required.
• Hair, makeup, wardrobe and styling are on the Client unless explicitly listed in the quote.
• If we are working with anyone whose face will appear in delivered work (subjects, staff, guests), you confirm they have been told and agree to be photographed.

• Standard turnaround is described on /services for each tier (5 business days for portraits, 7 days for events, etc.). Turnaround starts after final payment clears.
• Files are delivered through a private online gallery (photo) or WeTransfer / Google Drive (video).
• Retouched count and edit style is what is listed in the quote. Extra retouching is $15 per additional photo.
• We do not deliver unprocessed RAW files as a default. Color and exposure decisions are part of the work product. If you need RAWs for a specific reason, we can discuss a license fee in writing beforehand.

• The Studio retains the copyright in all images and footage produced.
• On full payment, the Client receives a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive license to use the delivered files for the purpose described in the quote — personal use, social media, the Client’s website, marketing collateral, or the editorial/commercial scope agreed in writing.
• Resale of the files (e.g. licensing them to a third party as stock, or reselling prints commercially) is not granted by default and requires a separate written agreement.
• The Studio keeps the right to use selected images for self-promotion — portfolio, social channels, this website, awards submissions — unless the project quote includes an explicit confidentiality clause.
• Credit (“Photo: Creative Light Studio” or “@clstudio.nyc”) is appreciated when posting publicly but not legally required outside editorial publications.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total liability under any single project is capped at the total fee paid by the Client for that project. We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or loss-of-profit damages.

In the unlikely event of total data loss before delivery (camera card failure, drive corruption) we will offer a free reshoot if the circumstances allow, or a full refund.

Neither party is liable for failure to perform caused by events beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to: severe weather, illness, government restrictions, transport disruption, or location access denial. In those cases, we will make best efforts to reschedule, or issue a refund if rescheduling is impossible.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict-of-law rules. Any dispute that cannot be resolved informally will be brought before the state or federal courts located in New York County, New York.

Before filing anything, please email us at contact@creativelightnyc.com — we would rather work it out.

We may update these Terms over time. The Terms that apply to your project are the ones in effect on the date your deposit clears, not later versions, unless we both agree in writing.

Effective date: May 1, 2026.