Refund & Cancellation Policy
Last updated: August 2026
At Golden Hour, I understand that pregnancy, birth and family life don't always go according to plan. I want my policies to be clear and fair while also recognising how personal and unpredictable this season can be.
This policy outlines how cancellations, rescheduling and refunds are handled for Golden Hour's doula and photography services.
These terms are subject to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law, which cannot be excluded or limited by this policy.
Doula & Birth Photography Services
I understand that pregnancy and birth can be unpredictable, and plans can change. These policies are designed to protect the time I reserve for you while still allowing room for compassion when unexpected circumstances arise.
Retainer
A 20% retainer of the total package fee is payable at the time of booking to secure your place and reserve my availability around your estimated due date.
The retainer is non-refundable, except where a refund is required under Australian Consumer Law.
The remaining balance is due by 35 weeks and payment schedules can be discussed at booking.
Cancellations
If you cancel your booking before 36 weeks, any refund will be considered in accordance with the cancellation terms in your individual agreement and the amount of time in care.
After 36 weeks, the full agreed fee remains payable.
In exceptional circumstances, a partial refund or alternative arrangement may be offered at my discretion. This may include circumstances such as pregnancy loss, stillbirth or where Golden Hour has seriously failed to provide the agreed service.
Changes to Your Birth Plans
Birth doesn't always go according to plan. Whether you choose an induction, epidural, caesarean, homebirth, birth centre or hospital birth, my role is to support you, not a particular type of birth.
Changing your birth plans does not mean you lose my support. I will continue to support you within the scope of your package and my role as your doula and birth photographer.
Freebirth
Golden Hour does not attend planned freebirths, where a person intentionally chooses to birth without a qualified medical or midwifery care provider present.
Choosing to freebirth after booking constitutes a breach of the agreement, as it changes the nature of the service I have agreed to provide.
- If you cancel or choose to freebirth before 36 weeks, a partial refund may apply in accordance with the general cancellation terms.
- If you choose to freebirth after 36 weeks or after the birth has occurred, no refund will generally be provided.
Missed Births
I will make every reasonable effort to arrive in time for your birth and provide both your doula and birth photography support. However, birth can be unpredictable and I cannot guarantee that I will arrive before your baby is born.
If your birth is missed because of something reasonably avoidable by me, I will provide an appropriate remedy, which may include a partial refund.
If the birth is missed due to circumstances that were not reasonably avoidable, such as a very fast labour or standard travel delays, no refund will generally be provided.
If your birth is missed and no backup support is used, I will provide a photography session within six months of your baby's birth, with the images included at my discretion.
Backup Support
If I am unable to attend your birth due to illness, emergency or another unavoidable circumstance, I will make reasonable efforts to arrange appropriate backup doula or photography support.
I will communicate with you as soon as reasonably possible if backup support is required.
Miscarriage & Stillbirth
If you experience miscarriage, pregnancy loss or stillbirth, my first priority will be you and your wellbeing.
I will continue to offer appropriate support unless you choose not to receive it.
Depending on the circumstances and services already provided, a partial refund or alternative arrangement may be offered at my discretion.
There is no expectation that you need to make immediate decisions while you are grieving.
Home birth to Hospital Transfer
If you are planning a home birth and need to transfer to hospital, I will continue to provide my doula and photography support *here reasonably possible and where permitted by hospital policies and staff.
A change in birth location does not mean you lose my support.
Early Birth
If your baby arrives before your estimated due date, I will make every reasonable effort to attend your birth.
If labour progresses too quickly for me to arrive, the Missed Births provisions above will apply.
Photography Services
(This section applies to maternity, newborn, family and other non-birth photography sessions with Golden Hour.)
Session Fee / Retainer
A $150 session fee is required at the time of booking to secure your date.
This fee reserves your session time and covers the preparation and administration involved in your booking.
The session fee is non-refundable.
Image Collections & Balance
Your session fee covers the photography session only. *mages are purchased separately
After your session, you will be able to choose from the available image collections, which will then be invoiced.
Payment plans or pre-payment arrangements may be available on request. Any payment arrangements will be agreed upon before payment is made.
Cancelling a Session – Prepaid Amounts
If you have prepaid for an image collection and need to cancel your session:
- More than 14 days before your session: 50% of prepaid amounts will be refunded, excluding the $150 session fee.
- Less than 14 days before your session: prepaid amounts are non-refundable.
Rescheduling
I understand that life happens, especially when little ones are involved.
Weather:
If I decide that weather conditions are unsuitable for your outdoor session, your session can be rescheduled as many times as needed at no additional cost until we find a suitable date.
Client-requested changes:
You may reschedule your session once at no additional cost, provided you give at least 14 days' notice.
Additional client-requested reschedules will incur a $50 rescheduling fee per change.
No-Shows & Cancellations Within 24 Hours
If you do not attend your scheduled session or cancel within 24 hours of your session, the $150 session fee will be forfeited and any prepaid amounts will be non-refundable.
I understand that genuine emergencies can happen, so please contact me as soon as possible if something unexpected occurs.
Illness & Family Circumstances
If you or your child is unwell, particularly with a contagious illness, please let me know as soon as possible.
Where possible, I will work with you to reschedule your session rather than having you attend while unwell.
If Golden Hour Needs to Cancel
If I become unwell or experience an emergency that means I cannot provide your session, I will contact you as soon as reasonably possible.
You will be offered the option to reschedule your session or receive a refund of payments made for the affected service, as appropriate.
Force Majeure – Unforeseen Circumstances
Sometimes circumstances outside anyone's control can affect a booking. This may include serious illness, emergencies, natural disasters, extreme weather, government restrictions, unexpected birth circumstances or other events that make it impossible or unsafe to provide a service.
Doula & Birth Photography
If I am unable to attend due to illness or an emergency, I will make reasonable efforts to arrange a backup doula or photographer where possible.
If neither I nor an appropriate backup provider is available, an appropriate refund or other remedy may apply.
Other Photography Sessions
If circumstances outside my control prevent a photography session from going ahead, the session will be rescheduled at no additional cost where reasonably possible.
If rescheduling is not possible, I will discuss an appropriate alternative or refund with you.
Client Safety
Your safety and wellbeing will always come first.
If circumstances mean that continuing with a service would be unsafe for you, your family or me, I may recommend postponing or rescheduling the service.
Australian Consumer Law
Nothing in this policy is intended to exclude, restrict or modify your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.
Any rights or remedies that cannot legally be excluded will continue to apply.
Contact
If you need to cancel, reschedule or discuss anything relating to your booking, please contact me as soon as possible.
Mon Hyde
Golden Hour
Perth, Western Australia
Email: goldenhour.doula.photography@outlook.com