A commissioned artistic portrait is someone choosing you for your eye and paying for a session for themselves. In Graindevue, the sitter is also the client: they book your "Artistic Portrait" package, sign a short contract that sets out your artistic freedom and the rights assigned to them, pay, then receive the gallery.
This page follows a paid artistic portrait commission. Graindevue works in euros, for photographers working in France. For a portrait for professional use, see portrait photographers.
An artistic portrait commission, step by step
| Step | Who / where | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The project | The sitter, on your profile | "Send Message" to discuss the intention, mood and location, signed in to their client account. |
| 2. Request | The sitter | The "Artistic Portrait" type, your package, the date and start time, the location, then "Book Session". The "Additional message" sums up the chosen idea. |
| 3. Contract | You, "Contract" tab | At your studio, "Add the shooting address" with the studio's address. "Generate Contract" from the artistic portrait template, review, then "Send for Review". |
| 4. Signatures | The sitter, then you | The sitter signs first, then you sign. |
| 5. Payment | The sitter | Deposit and balance as set on the package. |
| 6. Delivery | You, "Files" tab | Once the Booking is fully paid, "Upload" then "Share Gallery". |
Fictional example: Hélène's chiaroscuro
This example is made up to illustrate the flow.
Hélène wants a chiaroscuro portrait for her 40th birthday, to hang at home. After exchanging messages about the light and outfits, she books your "Artistic Portrait, 2 hours" package for a Saturday at 3 pm, at the "Photographer's studio".
As Hélène booked your studio, the "Contract" tab asks for the session's address: you click "Add the shooting address", enter the studio's address, then "Generate Contract". The contract sets out your freedom over framing, lighting and post-processing, and the uses assigned to her. Hélène signs, you sign, she pays the deposit by card, then the balance. After editing, you deliver the series: Hélène downloads her photos and has them printed.
The artistic portrait contract
For a package of the "Artistic Portrait" type, Graindevue uses a short, six-article template. The contract text is in French. It includes:
- the parties: the sitter is the client and certifies being an adult;
- the service: date, duration, location, minimum number of edited photos and delivery timeframe, with your artistic freedom over framing, lighting and post-processing;
- image rights: personal use, personal social media, private printing and sharing with family; any commercial use requires additional written authorisation;
- withdrawal of consent: the sitter can withdraw it by written request, with removal within 30 days;
- payment, cancellation and liability.
Two articles are editable, on the package or for one session with "Edit Template" while the contract is a draft: image rights and cancellation. If you agree another use of the images with the sitter, for example in your portfolio, write it into the image rights article before sending. See the contract management page.
The package and the price
The package sets the duration in hours, "Minimum Shots" edited, the delivery timeframe, and the price. For a project you build with the sitter, "On quote" lets you set the line items at booking time. With "Itemize lines", you can for example separate the session and the retouching. The guide on pricing your photography helps you price creative work.
The "Deposit Percentage", "Balance Due" and payment methods are yours: see the deposit guide.
Delivery
The gallery opens in the "Files" tab once the Booking is fully paid. You upload the series with "Upload" and deliver it with "Share Gallery". The sitter opens their gallery signed in to their account, ticks the photos they want and clicks "Download", or "Download All". Only the sitter and you can open it. See the gallery delivery page.
What Graindevue costs
€29 per month after a 30-day trial with no card, and no platform commission on your Bookings. Online payments go through Stripe, whose processing fees apply. See the zero commission page.
Going further
- A portrait for professional use, with a five-year rights assignment: portrait photographers.
- A maternity session with an artistic look: maternity photographers.
- The image rights clauses to decide before signing: the photography contract guide.
To generate an artistic portrait contract on a test Booking, start the free 30-day trial, with no card.
Frequently asked questions
Who books an artistic portrait?
The sitter. They are the Booking's client: they send the request, sign the contract, pay and receive the gallery.
Does the contract protect my artistic freedom?
Yes. The artistic portrait template sets out your freedom over framing, lighting and post-processing, as an obligation of means.
What rights does the sitter get to the photos?
Personal use: personal social media, private printing and sharing with family. Commercial use requires additional written authorisation.
Can I use the photos in my portfolio?
Agree on it with the sitter and write that use into the editable image rights article before sending the contract. The sitter can withdraw consent in writing.
Can I price a project on quote?
Yes. With an "On quote" package, you set the line items at booking time, before generating the contract.
How does the sitter receive their photos?
In their gallery, signed in to their account, once the Booking is fully paid. They download the photos they choose or the full series.