Last update
October 28, 2026
The key terms for working with Black Butter.
This page is a plain summary of how we work with business clients. Our full Terms & Conditions are sent with every proposal, and together with your Project Agreement they are what apply to our work. If anything here differs from them, the full Terms & Conditions and your Project Agreement take priority.
Our Services
We provide video production, photography, editing, social media content, creative strategy and retainer-based content production. The scope, deliverables, timelines and fees for each job are set out in a written proposal, schedule or email agreement (your Project Agreement). We sometimes bring in trusted freelancers such as camera operators and editors. We stay responsible for the work. We may use AI tools in editing, grading, captions and resizing as part of our normal workflow. If you'd rather we didn't, tell us in writing before work starts. These terms are for business clients. Wedding clients have separate terms.
Fees and Payment
We charge day rates, project fees or monthly retainers, as set out in your Project Agreement. Unless agreed otherwise, mileage is charged at 45p per mile and out-of-town stays at £45 per night per crew member. Third-party costs such as props, ingredients, studio or location hire, talent, music, stock assets and equipment hire are charged on top of our fees. Prices exclude VAT, which will be added at the current rate if and when we are VAT registered. Invoices are paid in full before work starts, unless agreed otherwise in writing. Retainers are invoiced monthly in advance, with the first month paid upfront and a minimum term of 3 months. If payment hasn't arrived by the due date, we may pause work, delay delivery or not attend a shoot.
Bookings, Cancellations and Scheduling
One-off shoots: cancel more than 7 days before and there's no charge. Within 7 days we charge 50% of the filming fee, and within 48 hours we charge 100%. Weather-dependent shoots: we make a go or no-go call 48 hours before. If conditions are unsuitable, we move the shoot with no penalty. Retainer days: these are time reserved for you, so the monthly fee stays payable in full. We can move days within the same month, unused time doesn't roll over, and days cancelled within 48 hours count as used. Work already done: if a project is cancelled part-way, we invoice for the work completed and costs incurred so far, including planning and pre-production. Working hours: 9am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. Evening and weekend shoots are by prior written agreement and may cost more or use retainer time. Overruns and rush jobs: extra time caused by delays or added requests on the day, and short-notice or rush delivery, may be charged.
Revisions and Approval
Each project includes up to 2 rounds of revisions, sent to us as one set of feedback per round. Revisions cover tweaks such as pacing, trims and shot order. New footage, new concepts or alternative edits are extra. Further rounds are charged at our usual rate. Approval needs to be in writing. If we haven't heard back within 3 working days, the work is treated as approved. Changes requested after approval may be charged or use retainer time.
Copyright and Usage
We keep the copyright in all footage, photos and creative work we produce. You get an ongoing, non-exclusive licence to use the final delivered content for marketing, advertising, social media, your website and internal promotion. For one-off projects, the licence starts once all invoices for that project are paid in full. If content is changed after delivery, it can't be presented as original Black Butter work. We may show finished work in our portfolio, website, social channels and awards entries. If you need the work kept confidential, agree it with us in writing before we start.
Your Responsibilities
Give us timely access to locations, products, people and the information we need. Get the permissions and releases needed for the people, locations and property that appear in the content, unless we've agreed in writing to handle this. Let customers and staff know when we're filming at your venue. Make sure any materials you give us, such as logos, music or images, are yours to use. Where we're waiting on approvals, information or dates from you, delays aren't our responsibility, and retainer time stays allocated and payable.
Storage, Confidentiality and Data
We keep raw files for up to 12 months after a project finishes. Longer storage, up to 3 years, is available for £25 per month. We take reasonable care with files but can't guarantee storage beyond these periods. Both of us keep each other's commercially sensitive information confidential for 2 years after our work together ends. We handle personal data in line with UK data protection law. See our Privacy Policy for details.
Ending Work, Liability and Law
After the 3-month minimum term, either of us can end a retainer with 30 days' written notice. A month that has already started is payable in full. We may end work immediately for non-payment, a serious breach, abusive or unsafe behaviour, or unlawful or unethical requests. We carry public liability and professional indemnity insurance and deliver our work with reasonable care and skill. Our total liability is limited to the fees you've paid us in the previous 12 months. We're not liable for indirect losses such as lost profits, and we don't guarantee results such as views, engagement or sales. Nothing here limits liability that can't be limited by law. Neither of us is liable for delays caused by events outside our control, such as illness, equipment failure or extreme weather. These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales. Black Butter Limited, registered in England and Wales, company number 16859089. Questions about these terms: hello@blackbutter.co.uk
