1. Overview

The Dark Poet Studio ("Company", "we", "us", or "our") is committed to delivering exceptional creative services and ensuring client satisfaction. This Refund and Cancellation Policy sets out your rights and obligations, and our obligations to you, in the event of a cancellation, modification, or dispute concerning services rendered or to be rendered.

This Policy applies to all services including photography, videography, content creation, and (when launched) e-commerce product purchases. This Policy is incorporated into and forms part of the Company's Terms and Conditions.

2. Non-Refundable Deposit

At the time of booking confirmation, a deposit equal to twenty percent (20%) of the total project fee is collected. This deposit is strictly non-refundable in all circumstances, regardless of the reason for cancellation or the timing of the cancellation request.

The rationale for the non-refundable deposit is as follows: upon confirmation of your booking, the Company reserves your project date(s) and time in its schedule, declines other potential engagements, and commences preliminary planning work. The deposit compensates the Company for this commitment of time and resources.

3. Cancellation by the Client

If you wish to cancel a confirmed booking:

• The twenty percent (20%) non-refundable deposit will be retained by the Company.

• An additional cancellation fee of ten percent (10%) of the total project fee will be due and payable by the Client. If this amount is not already covered by funds paid, an invoice will be issued and must be paid within seven (7) business days.

• Any amounts paid by the Client in excess of the deposit and cancellation fee will be refunded to the Client within fourteen (14) business days of the cancellation notice.

• Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to legal@thedarkpoet.studio and are effective from the date of receipt of written notice by the Company.

Summary of cancellation charges: Total withheld upon cancellation = 20% (non-refundable deposit) + 10% (cancellation fee) = 30% of the total project fee, with the balance refunded.

4. Rescheduling Policy

Clients who wish to reschedule rather than cancel a booking should submit a rescheduling request in writing at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the scheduled session. Subject to the Company's availability:

• One (1) rescheduling request per booking is accommodated at no additional charge.

• Subsequent rescheduling requests may incur an administrative fee of up to fifty dollars ($50.00 USD) per occurrence.

• The non-refundable deposit is transferable to a rescheduled session within six (6) months of the original booking date.

• If a rescheduled session cannot be confirmed within six (6) months due to the Client's unavailability, the booking will be treated as a cancellation and the terms in Section 3 above will apply.

5. Cancellation by the Company

In the exceptional circumstance that the Company is required to cancel a confirmed booking due to illness, emergency, equipment failure, or events beyond its reasonable control (force majeure):

• The Company will notify the Client as promptly as reasonably practicable.

• The Company will offer the Client a full rescheduling of the booking at no additional cost.

• If rescheduling is not possible or is not acceptable to the Client, the Company will refund all amounts paid by the Client, including the deposit, within fourteen (14) business days. The Company's liability in such circumstances is limited to a refund of amounts paid and does not extend to consequential losses or expenses incurred by the Client.

6. Refunds for Creative Services

Due to the inherently subjective nature of creative services, the Company does not offer refunds on the grounds of personal dissatisfaction with the artistic style or creative direction of delivered work, provided that the deliverables conform to the specifications agreed upon in the booking confirmation or service agreement.

If you believe that delivered work does not meet the agreed specifications, you must notify the Company in writing within five (5) business days of delivery, specifying in detail the manner in which the deliverables fail to meet the agreed specifications. The Company will review your concerns and, where the deliverables are found to be materially deficient, will either:

• Provide reasonable revisions or reshoots at no additional cost, or

• Offer a partial refund proportionate to the deficiency, at the Company's reasonable discretion

Claims submitted after the five (5) business day review window will not be eligible for revision or refund.

7. E-Commerce Refunds (Physical Products — When Available)

When the Company's e-commerce store is launched, the following terms will apply to product purchases:

• Standard returns: Physical products may be returned within fourteen (14) days of delivery for a refund, provided the product is unused, undamaged, and in its original packaging.

• Custom or personalized products (such as custom prints) are not eligible for return or refund unless the product is defective or the error is attributable to the Company.

• Defective products: If you receive a defective or damaged product, please notify us within five (5) business days of receipt with photographic evidence of the defect. We will provide a replacement or full refund at our discretion.

• Return shipping: The cost of return shipping for standard returns is the Client's responsibility. For defective products or Company errors, we will cover return shipping costs.

Refund processing: Approved refunds will be processed within ten (10) business days of the Company's receipt of the returned product, to the original payment method.

8. Digital Downloads (When Available)

Due to the nature of digital products, all sales of digital downloads are final and non-refundable once the file has been accessed or downloaded. If a digital download is defective (e.g., corrupted or inaccessible), we will replace the file at no additional cost.

9. How to Request a Refund or Cancellation

All cancellation and refund requests must be submitted in writing to legal@thedarkpoet.studio. Please include your name, booking reference (if applicable), the date of your booking, and a description of your request. The Company will acknowledge receipt of your request within two (2) business days and will provide a response within seven (7) business days.

10. Consumer Rights

Nothing in this Policy is intended to limit or exclude any rights you may have under applicable consumer protection laws. California residents: your rights under the California Consumer Protection Act and other applicable California law are preserved and not affected by this Policy. If you are located outside the United States, your statutory consumer rights under applicable local law also remain unaffected.

11. Contact Us

For any questions regarding this policy, please contact us at: legal@thedarkpoet.studio or through the contact form at www.thedarkpoet.studio.