We understand that our recipients may be navigating treatment, illness, hospitalization, fatigue, or other unexpected circumstances. If a recipient needs to cancel or reschedule, please be patient and flexible whenever possible. If the recipient contacts you directly about a cancellation or schedule change, please notify The Magic Hour Foundation so we can update our records and assist with any necessary coordination.

We want you to photograph each Magic Hour session in a way that feels natural and consistent with your professional style. Our goal is to provide recipients with meaningful, timeless photographs that focus on connection and the people they love. Please avoid excessive filters, heavy effects, or watermarks on final images.

Absolutely. Accepting a session is always voluntary. If you are unavailable or unable to accept a particular assignment, simply let us know. Once you do accept a session, however, we ask that you make every reasonable effort to complete the assignment and notify us as soon as possible if circumstances change.

Only when The Magic Hour Foundation has confirmed that the recipient granted permission for the volunteer photographer to publicly share photographs from their session. Permission for MHF to share photographs and permission for the photographer to share photographs are separate choices.

Please do not independently request public-use permission from the recipient or rely on verbal permission, social media tags, direct messages, or other informal communication. MHF maintains the recipient’s documented permissions and will let you know what has been authorized.

Final edited, high-resolution, watermark-free images should be uploaded directly to The Magic Hour Foundation using MHF’s designated WeTransfer upload link within approximately three weeks of the session. Medically urgent or time-sensitive sessions may require images sooner.

MHF will create and deliver the official private online gallery to the recipient.

Please contact The Magic Hour Foundation before using our logo or other Foundation branding on your website, social media, or promotional materials. Participation in the Magic Hour Photographer Network does not imply endorsement of a photographer’s business or paid services.

Q: Who owns the copyright to images from a Magic Hour session?
A: The volunteer photographer retains the copyright to the photographs they create. By participating in a Magic Hour session, the photographer grants The Magic Hour Foundation the rights necessary to administer the program, deliver the recipient’s private gallery and complimentary prints, and use photographs in accordance with the recipient’s documented permissions.

Q: Will MHF ever sell or profit from my images?
A: No. The Magic Hour Foundation will not sell session photographs for commercial profit. Images are used to fulfill our charitable mission and provide photography services to our recipients. Any public use of session photographs by MHF remains subject to the recipient’s documented permissions.

Q: Can I share the images in my portfolio or on social media?
A: Yes, but only when MHF has confirmed that the recipient specifically granted photo-sharing permission to the volunteer photographer. Permission granted to MHF and permission granted to the photographer are separate. Please wait for confirmation from MHF before posting, sharing, or publishing photographs from a Magic Hour session.

Photo-sharing permission does not authorize the sale or licensing of Magic Hour session photographs to third parties or other commercial uses beyond the recipient’s documented permission. Please refer to the Volunteer Photographer Terms & Conditions for complete image-use requirements.

Q: Will I be credited for my work?
A: Absolutely. When The Magic Hour Foundation publicly shares your photographs, we will credit you as the volunteer photographer whenever reasonably possible. We deeply value the time and talent our photographers donate to the families we serve.