Terms & Conditions

1. Parties & Definitions

1.1 Website Owner. This website (ak-studio.ch, together with all associated domains and sub-domains, “Site”) is owned and operated by Anastasia Karpenko Photography, CHE-444.227.930, Aspstrasse 7B, 8426 Lufingen, Canton Zurich, Switzerland (“AK Studio”, “we”, “our”, “us”).
1.2 Services. We offer location and studio photography, event coverage, post-production and related deliverables, plus electronic gift cards (together, “Services”), all as detailed on the Site or in a written quotation (“Booking Confirmation”).
1.3 Client. “Client”, “you”, or “your” means any natural or legal person who accesses the Site, purchases a Service or gift card, or otherwise enters into contractual relations with us.
1.4 Agreement. These Terms form a binding legal agreement between AK Studio and every Client. By using the Site, booking a session or purchasing a gift card you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to be bound by these Terms.
 

2. Eligibility

You must be (a) at least 18 years old or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, and (b) legally able to enter into contracts. Bookings for minors may only be placed by a parent or legal guardian, who expressly consents to the minor’s appearance in photographs.
 

3. Booking & Payment

3.1 Currency & Methods. Prices are shown in Swiss francs (CHF). We accept TWINT, major credit cards via Stripe, and bank transfer on invoice (payment instructions appear on checkout or invoice).
3.2 Portrait Sessions (incl. family, personal branding, newborn, etc.). 100 % of the quoted fee is payable at the time of booking.
3.3 Event Coverage (weddings, corporate events, etc.). 50 % non-refundable retainer is due at booking; the remaining 50 % is due within five (5) calendar days after online gallery delivery.
3.4 Gift Cards. Gift cards are payable in full at checkout and are delivered electronically. Physical gift-card vouchers requested at checkout are shipped by Swiss Post (see § 7). Gift cards are valid for twelve (12) months from the date of purchase and are non-refundable.

4. Cancellation, Rescheduling & No-Show
 

4.1 Client Cancellation/Reschedule.

• ≥ 48 h before the scheduled shooting time: free of charge; any amounts paid are converted into a studio credit valid for 12 months.

• < 48 h before: we retain or invoice fifty percent (50 %) of the total Service price as a late-cancellation fee. If you had already paid 100 %, the remaining 50 % is refunded.
  4.2 AK Studio Cancellation. If illness, force majeure or other circumstances beyond our control prevent us from delivering the Service, we will offer you (a) a new date, or (b) a full refund of all sums paid. Further liability is excluded—see § 13.
   

5. Delivery of Digital Images & Physical Items

5.1 Digital Delivery. Proof or final images are supplied via an online gallery download link. Delivery times stated on the Site or Booking Confirmation are estimates; delays caused by circumstances outside our reasonable control do not constitute breach.
5.2 Physical Vouchers. If you select a physical gift-card voucher at checkout, we dispatch it via Swiss Post Priority to the address provided. Title and risk transfer to you upon our hand-over to Swiss Post. Lost or damaged vouchers will be replaced.
5.3 Returns. Because Services are bespoke and gift cards are value documents, no statutory “return window” applies. Your statutory rights for defective products remain unaffected.
 

6. Client Use Licence

6.1 Scope. Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing, your booking fee includes a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use the delivered images for Swiss web and social-media channels only, for a period of one (1) year from first publication. leitfaden_sbf_2019
6.2 Extended Use. Any additional uses (e.g., print advertising, international campaigns, usage beyond one year, or transfer to third parties) require our prior written consent and may incur supplementary licence fees calculated per our custom rate card (available on request).
6.3 Credit. We appreciate but do not require a photo credit (“© Anastasia Karpenko Photography”) on social media. For editorial or commercial print, credit is mandatory unless waived by us in writing.
 

7. Intellectual Property

All content on the Site and all photographs we produce—including raw files—remain the exclusive property of AK Studio or our licensors. Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership. You agree not to reproduce, sell or alter the images except as expressly licensed in § 6.
 

8. Client Materials & Conduct

8.1 You warrant that any materials, props or locations you supply do not infringe third-party rights and that you have obtained all necessary permissions (e.g., model releases, location permits). You shall indemnify us per § 14 for any breach of this warranty.

8.2 Event Permissions & Attendee Consents.
By inviting AK Studio to photograph or film an event, the Client expressly warrants that (a) any venue-owner, organizer or third party with control over the location has granted written permission for professional photo/video recording; and (b) all attendees have been properly informed—through notices, announcements or other legally sufficient means—that image capture will occur and may be published, and that any consents required under applicable privacy, personality- or data-protection laws have been obtained. The Client will supply proof of such permissions or consents on request and shall indemnify AK Studio under § 14 for any claim arising from a breach of this warranty.
 

9. Pricing & Rate Changes

All prices may change without notice until a Booking Confirmation has been issued. Obvious pricing errors on the Site do not bind us.
 

10. Changes to Services

We may modify or discontinue any Service or Site feature at any time, including availability dates, so long as existing Booking Confirmations are honored or refunded.
 

11. Data Protection & Privacy

We process personal data strictly to perform the contract (Art. 6 (1)(b) GDPR / Art. 31 (2)(a) revFADP) and to comply with legal obligations. Marketing e-mails are not sent unless you have expressly opted-in; appointment reminders are transactional. For details see our Privacy Policy. We recommend double-opt-in for newsletter subscriptions, should we introduce newsletters in the future.
 

12. Warranties & Disclaimers

Services are provided with reasonable skill and care in accordance with Swiss professional standards. Except for the foregoing, to the maximum extent permitted by Swiss law we make no other warranties, express or implied, including fitness for a particular purpose.
 

13. Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by law, AK Studio is not liable for any indirect, incidental or consequential loss (loss of profit, data, goodwill, etc.). Our total aggregate liability for any claim under these Terms is limited to the total amount paid by you for the relevant Service.
 

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold AK Studio harmless from any third-party claims, damages or costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of your breach of these Terms, your misuse of the Site or your infringement of any rights of a third party.
 

15. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms and any dispute arising hereunder are governed exclusively by Swiss substantive law (without regard to conflict-of-law rules). The courts of the Canton of Zurich, venue Bülach, shall have exclusive jurisdiction. We encourage you to contact us first to seek an amicable solution; mediation may be arranged if both parties agree.
 

16. Changes to Terms

We may revise these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be flagged on this page or via e-mail (if you have an active Booking). Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
 

17. Contact

Customer Support:
Anastasia Karpenko Photography
Aspstrasse 7B
8426 Lufingen (ZH)
Switzerland
Tel: +41 79 317-48-78
E-mail: info@ak-studio.ch