Contracts & Proposals
How do I create a contract in creavio?
Go to Contracts > New Contract. Start from a template or build from scratch. Templates cover the common scenarios: weddings, portraits, events, commercial, boudoir. Each includes industry-standard clauses for image rights, cancellation, payment terms, and liability.
The contract builder has a rich text editor with formatting, headings, bullet points, and bold/italic. Insert smart fields that auto-populate with client and session details: name, date, location, package name, total price. No more copy-pasting the same info into every contract.
Save any contract as a template for future use. After the first few clients, you'll rarely build from scratch. See Wedding Workflow for a full example of contracts in context.
Are e-signatures legally binding?
Yes. Legally binding under the ESIGN Act (US), eIDAS Regulation (EU), and equivalent legislation in Canada and the UK.
When a client signs, creavio records their full name, email address, IP address, browser information, and exact timestamp. This audit trail serves as evidence the contract was reviewed and signed by the identified party. Same legal standard used by DocuSign and HelloSign.
Both you and the client receive the fully executed contract as a PDF immediately after signing. The signed PDF includes a signature certificate page with all verification details.
That said: we're not a law firm. Have your contracts reviewed by a lawyer, especially for high-value work. The templates are solid starting points, not legal advice.
Can I customize contract templates and clauses?
Completely. Templates are fully editable starting points. Modify every word, add sections, remove clauses that don't apply, change formatting to match your brand.
The template library includes pre-written clauses for image licensing, model releases, cancellation, force majeure, travel fees, and more. Mix and match from different templates. Save variants: a "Wedding Contract" with extensive terms and a "Mini Session Agreement" that's shorter.
For maximum efficiency, build a clause library under Contracts > Clause Library. Store reusable blocks of text and drop them into any contract with one click. Mark clauses as required (always included) or optional (toggled per contract). Keeps your contracts consistent as your template collection grows.
Can I send a contract and invoice together?
Yes. This is one of creavio's most used features. When creating a contract, toggle Include Invoice and select an existing invoice or create one on the spot.
The client receives one email. They click, review the contract, sign it, then immediately see the invoice for payment. One click completes both the legal agreement and the deposit. The booking confirms only after both the contract is signed and the payment goes through.
No more chasing signatures and payments separately. Dashboard shows the combined status: pending signature, signed but unpaid, or fully complete. If the client signs but doesn't pay right away, normal payment reminders kick in for the invoice portion.
What happens when a client signs a contract?
The client clicks the link in their email. Secure page shows the full contract. They scroll through, read it, type their full legal name at the bottom, and click Sign.
The system records: typed name (electronic signature), IP address, timestamp, browser info. Both parties receive the executed contract as a PDF via email immediately. Your dashboard updates to Signed in real time. If an invoice was bundled, the client is redirected to the payment page automatically.
The PDF includes a signature certificate page at the end with all signing details. Clients can access their signed contracts anytime through their client portal link.
Do contracts have expiration dates?
Optional. Set an expiration date on any unsigned contract. When it expires, the client sees a message that the offer is no longer available.
Useful for proposals, quotes, or situations where you want to create urgency. Expired contracts aren't deleted — extend the date or resend anytime. No expiration set? The contract stays open for signing indefinitely.
For signed contracts, there's no expiration in creavio. The terms remain in effect as specified in the contract language itself. Many photographers include a clause stating the agreement is valid for services within a specific period — that's separate from the signing deadline.
How does the counter-signing flow work?
creavio's current workflow is one-way signing: you create and send, the client reviews and signs. No built-in redlining or counter-proposal editing.
If a client wants changes, they contact you directly. You make edits in the contract builder and resend. This keeps the process simple and ensures you always control the final language.
For corporate or agency clients who expect negotiation, the recommended workflow: discuss terms first, then send the contract once both parties agree. The contract formalizes what was already decided. Collaborative editing may come later, but one-way signing covers the vast majority of photography contracts.
Can I download signed contracts as PDF?
Yes. Every signed contract is available as a downloadable PDF that includes the full contract text, both parties' signatures, and a signature certificate page with timestamp, IP address, and verification details.
Find contracts in three places: on the client's record under Contracts, in the global Contracts section from the sidebar (filterable by status, date, or session type), and as the PDF download itself.
Signed contracts are retained for the lifetime of your account. If you cancel your subscription, you have 90 days to export everything. We strongly recommend downloading PDF copies as part of your regular business backup.
Can I duplicate or reuse contracts?
Two ways. Save as template: any contract becomes a template for future clients. Smart fields auto-populate new client details. Duplicate: click the three-dot menu on any contract and select Duplicate. Creates an exact copy — reassign to a different client or use for a rebooking.
Duplication copies everything: clauses, formatting, payment terms, bundled invoice configuration. Smart fields update automatically. Between templates and duplication, you shouldn't need to write a contract from scratch after your first few clients.
Can I bundle a contract with a proposal?
Yes. A proposal in creavio is a contract that includes your packages and pricing alongside the terms. Create a contract, include your package details as content sections, attach an invoice with the package price, and send it as one document.
The client reviews the terms, sees the pricing, signs, and pays — all in one flow. This replaces the three-step process of sending a proposal PDF, then a contract, then an invoice. Everything lives in one place with status tracking on your dashboard.
What should I know about contract legality?
creavio provides the tools. You provide the legal substance. Our templates are written based on common photography industry practices and cover the basics well. But every business is different, every jurisdiction has its own rules, and contract law is specific.
We are not a law firm. We don't provide legal advice. Have your contracts reviewed by a licensed attorney, especially for high-value sessions, commercial work, or clients in different countries. The cost of a lawyer reviewing your template once is a fraction of what a contract dispute costs.
That said, the e-signature infrastructure is solid. The audit trail, PDF records, and legal compliance meet the same standards as dedicated e-signature platforms. Your contracts will hold up — as long as the language in them is right.