Digitally signing contracts?

Hi folks,

I just got a last minute type inquiry to secure my services. The couple is currently not in the U.S. due to work commitments, so they are trying to arrange everything from abroad.

I usually send my contracts out via PDF with all the pertinent information already filled in. The client would then review, print, sign, and send it back to me along with a retainer check. Haven't had any issues with this so far.

But obviously, this will not work for this one. They want to know whether there is a way to keep everything electronic, since again, they are not in the States at the moment.

What's the easiest way to get some kind of electronic signature from them?

Also, while I am asking this, I'll also ask what would be the easiest way for me to accept the retainer fee electronically. PayPal just doesn't look too professional, you know what I mean?

I always get paid via check, so this is a problem.

Thanks for your help!

nicksan wrote in post #14795313
Hi folks,

I just got a last minute type inquiry to secure my services. The couple is currently not in the U.S. due to work commitments, so they are trying to arrange everything from abroad.

I usually send my contracts out via PDF with all the pertinent information already filled in. The client would then review, print, sign, and send it back to me along with a retainer check. Haven't had any issues with this so far.

But obviously, this will not work for this one. They want to know whether there is a way to keep everything electronic, since again, they are not in the States at the moment.

What's the easiest way to get some kind of electronic signature from them?

Also, while I am asking this, I'll also ask what would be the easiest way for me to accept the retainer fee electronically. PayPal just doesn't look too professional, you know what I mean?

I always get paid via check, so this is a problem.

Thanks for your help!

Why can't they do the same as others have done Nick? They can scan your .pdf contract after they signed it and send it back to you along with a check. If they don't have a checkbook with US bank then maybe bank transfer would do instead PP.

If you need to confirm their signatures, request them to throw in photocopy of their Driver License.

Tigerkn wrote in post #14795383
Why can't they do the same as others have done Nick? They can scan your .pdf contract after they signed it and send it back to you along with a check. If they don't have a checkbook with US bank then maybe bank transfer would do instead PP.

If you need to confirm their signatures, request them to throw in photocopy of their Driver License.

Yeah, that's how I do it. I scan it after I sign to complete the contract. Then send them the PDF. There has to be a better way, like digital signatures, but since my clients are pretty much all local, it's not a big concern.

This client is actually local as well, however they are abroad right now and they want to secure a wedding photographer ASAP. I guess I need to ask them whether they have a scanner or some other way to get the signed doc into electronic form. There's nothing stopping them from printing out the doc and using regular mail. And as you mentioned, they can pay me via transfer or PP or even mail me a check from abroad. I guess they are in a rush to find something since their wedding is in min-September.

Just want to be as accommodating as I can.

Just a thought maybe they can take a picture of the signed document. Even a compact or Iphone should do a good job.

How about request the B&G to add a little note in the bottom of the Contract to authorize a family member who is in town to sign on their behalf? If you do so, make sure the B&G sign & date next to their note.

nicksan wrote in post #14795418
I scan it after I sign to complete the contract. Then send them the PDF. There has to be a better way, like digital signatures, but since my clients are pretty much all local, it's not a big concern.

You got it...as long as you both have the correct "Valid Certificates" installed on your systems. Physical signatures are for the most part becoming passe.

Bakewell wrote in post #14795490
You got it...as long as you both have the correct "Valid Certificates" installed on your systems. Physical signatures are for the most part becoming passe.

I guess it's safe to say whey would have at least a laptop on a business trip. I'll need to take a look into this.

Using Adobe Acrobat you can add a digital signature to the contract. But it takes having an image of your signature to include. They could do this by signing a piece of paper, taking a photo of it with their phone, emailing the photo to themselves, opening your PDF, and inserting their signature into the contract.

mirrorrim wrote in post #14795819
Using Adobe Acrobat you can add a digital signature to the contract. But it takes having an image of your signature to include. They could do this by signing a piece of paper, taking a photo of it with their phone, emailing the photo to themselves, opening your PDF, and inserting their signature into the contract.

Probably too much of a hassle for the client.

Print, sign, scan to pdf, send back. I get that all the time.

They can even sign it electronically as you do with most credit card applications these days. In fact, my last job had me sign the contract electronically. They simply email it back to you. You'll need to make sure you have a little writing above the signature part that explains the electronic sig is in lieu of a handwritten one.

As far as payment goes, I think Paypal is fine and even more so if you have a business paypal account. When I lived abroad I paid for many things back home via Paypal from family run businesses and never thought anything about it.

We use ShootQ, which allows clients to digitally book us by signing electronically.

Shootq FTW

I use Adobe Echosign to sign all of my contracts, it keeps them organized, and it is super easy. My clients love it. You create the form either in Adobe Acrobat, or on the application itself, and then you send it out. After they log in to their email and sign, it sends you a link to sign as well. When you sign, copies get emailed to all parties.


www.echosign.com