How contracts work
Create a contract from a template or write your own agreement, then send it to your client to review and sign online. They can draw or type their signature without creating an account.
The Free plan includes 5 contract sends in total. Plus and Pro send unlimited contracts. See CoreHue plans.
How a contract moves along
Every contract goes through the same few stages, and the status on the contracts list tells you where it is.
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Draft | You're still writing it. Your client can't see it. |
| Sent | It's with your client, waiting for their signature. |
| Signed | Your client has signed. It's waiting for your counter-signature. |
| Completed | Everyone has signed. This is the final, executed version. |
| Declined | Your client turned it down, usually with a reason. |
| Expired | The expiry date passed before it was signed. |
| Voided | You withdrew it. Your client sees it as Withdrawn. |
Signed and Completed aren't the same thing. Signed means the ball is in your court. Your client can't download their copy until you counter-sign and the contract is Completed.
Where contracts come from
You'll find your contracts under Documents → Contracts. They can start in a few places:
- On their own. Use the plus beside Contracts in the sidebar, or New contract on the list. See Creating a contract.
- From a contact, booking or inquiry. Starting there links the contract to that record, so names and dates fill themselves in.
- Inside a proposal. Your client accepts the proposal, then signs the contract that comes with it. See Adding a contract and payment schedule to a proposal.
- On a booking service. Your client signs as part of booking, and your saved signature completes it straight away. See Adding a contract and questionnaire to booking.
Details fill themselves in
Instead of retyping names, dates and fees for every client, you drop in variables. CoreHue fills them from your business details, the contact, and any linked booking or invoice. You can also leave blanks for your client to complete while they sign, like an emergency contact or a second venue. Variables and blanks covers both.
Templates save you hours
Your account starts with a few contract templates matched to the photography you told us you do, and there are more in the library under Templates → Contracts. Start from one, make it yours, and save it. See Contract templates.
A template is a starting point, not a live link. Once you create a contract from it, later edits to the template don't change that contract. That's what you want for a signed agreement.
What your client sees
Your client gets an email with a Review and sign contract button. The contract opens on a page styled with your client page theme, with your logo at the top. They read it, fill in any blanks, sign by drawing or typing, and tick a consent box. No account, nothing to install. Signing your contract walks them through it if they've never signed online before.
How the Free plan limit works
On Free, each contract counts once, the first time you send it or share its link yourself. A few things never count:
- Sending the same contract again
- Contracts inside proposals
- Contracts your clients sign on a booking service
The count covers your whole account history. If you sent five or more contracts while on a paid plan or trial, you're already at the limit on Free. When you reach it, sending opens Contract limit reached with an option to upgrade. Contracts already out stay live and can still be signed.
Frequently asked questions
Do my clients need a CoreHue account to sign?
No. Your client opens the contract link from their email, reads the contract and signs on the same page, without a CoreHue account. It works on phones, tablets and computers.
Can CoreHue write my contract for me?
No. CoreHue gives you starter contract templates and the tools to send and sign, but it doesn't write custom contracts or give legal advice. Read any template carefully and adapt it to your business. It's worth having a lawyer look over your main contract once. See Writing a photography contract.
Are contracts signed in CoreHue legally binding?
In most countries, yes. Electronic signatures are recognized in most countries, and CoreHue records evidence of every signature. Is an e-signed contract legally binding? explains what's recorded and what to check locally.
What happens to my contracts if I move to the Free plan?
Nothing you've already sent changes. Clients can still open, sign and download contracts you sent earlier. You can send up to 5 contracts in total on Free, counting the ones you sent before.