Terms & Conditions

1. Acceptance of Terms

These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User," "you," or "your") and Framemates ("Framemates," "we," "us," or "our") governing your access to and use of the Framemates website, mobile application, and all related services (collectively, the "Platform").

By creating an account, browsing the Platform, posting a job, messaging another user, or otherwise using any feature of the Platform, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

2. Nature of the Platform — We Are a Directory, Not an Agency

Framemates is an online directory and communication platform that allows independent photographers, videographers, and content creators ("Professionals") to create profiles and allows other users ("Clients") to discover and contact those Professionals for potential subcontracting arrangements.

2.1 Framemates is not an employer or agency

Framemates does not employ, hire, supervise, direct, control, manage, or in any way act as an agent for any Professional listed on the Platform. Professionals are independent individuals or businesses, not employees, contractors, agents, or representatives of Framemates.

2.2 Framemates is not a party to user agreements

Any agreement, contract, arrangement, or transaction entered into between a Client and a Professional is solely between those parties. Framemates is not a party to any such agreement, has no obligation to enforce it, and accepts no responsibility for its performance, breach, or outcome.

2.3 We do not verify credentials

While we may offer optional verification features, Framemates does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or truthfulness of any profile information, portfolio samples, stated qualifications, gear specifications, or stated availability. You are solely responsible for independently verifying the suitability of any Professional before engaging them.

2.4 We are the connection — nothing more

Framemates provides the technology infrastructure that enables users to find one another. We are the bridge, the directory, the introduction. What happens after two users connect is entirely their responsibility. Framemates has no involvement in, oversight of, or control over the work performed, the agreements reached, or the outcomes of those interactions.

3. No Liability for User Actions

You expressly acknowledge and agree that:

• Framemates is not responsible for the conduct, actions, omissions, work quality, professional behavior, or character of any user — whether Professional or Client — before, during, or after any engagement arranged through the Platform.
• Framemates is not liable for any injury, property damage, financial loss, missed deadlines, poor work quality, copyright infringement, breach of contract, personal harm, emotional distress, or any other damage or loss arising from or related to an interaction or engagement facilitated by the Platform.
• Framemates is not responsible for users who misrepresent their skills, experience, gear, or availability.
• Framemates is not responsible for payment disputes, non-payment, overcharging, or any financial disagreement between users.
• Framemates is not responsible for the safety of any event, location, or working environment in which users choose to engage.
• Framemates is not responsible for a Professional's failure to show up, deliver files, meet deadlines, or honor any agreement.
• Framemates is not responsible for a Client's failure to pay, communicate clearly, provide a safe working environment, or honor any agreement.

You engage with other users on the Platform entirely at your own risk. Framemates strongly encourages all users to conduct their own due diligence, review portfolios, check references, communicate clearly in writing, and use written contracts for every engagement.

4. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age to create an account or use the Platform. By using the Platform, you represent and warrant that you meet this requirement. If you are registering on behalf of a business, you represent that you have the authority to bind that entity to these Terms.

5. Accounts

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials. You agree to notify Framemates immediately of any unauthorized use of your account. Framemates is not liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to maintain account security.

You may not create more than one account, impersonate another person or entity, or create an account on behalf of someone else without their authorization.

6. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

• Post false, misleading, or fraudulent information on your profile or in any communication.
• Harass, threaten, intimidate, or harm any other user.
• Use the Platform for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable laws or regulations.
• Attempt to circumvent the Platform by taking relationships initiated on Framemates off-platform to avoid any applicable fees.
• Scrape, copy, or harvest user data from the Platform.
• Introduce malware, spam, or any disruptive technical elements.
• Use the Platform to solicit users for services unrelated to photography, videography, or content creation.
• Engage in any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
• Post fake, paid, retaliatory, or coordinated reviews, review your own account, or otherwise manipulate ratings.
• Use direct messaging to send spam, unsolicited bulk offers, chain messages, phishing attempts, or sexually explicit or harassing content.
• Create multiple accounts to evade a suspension, inflate your rating, or bypass tier limits.
• Upload content you do not have the rights to, including images or footage shot by someone else and presented as your own work.

7. User Content

By uploading profile photos, portfolio images, text, or any other content to the Platform ("User Content"), you grant Framemates a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to display and use that content for the purpose of operating and promoting the Platform.

You represent and warrant that you own all rights to your User Content or have obtained all necessary permissions, and that your User Content does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any third party.

Framemates does not endorse any User Content and is not responsible for User Content posted by others.

7.1 Peer reviews and ratings

The Platform allows members to publicly rate and review other members. By posting a review you agree that:

• Your review reflects your genuine, first-hand experience with that member.
• You will not post false, misleading, defamatory, harassing, or retaliatory reviews.
• You will not post reviews in exchange for payment or other consideration, review your own account, or coordinate with others to inflate or suppress ratings.
• Reviews are published publicly under your name and are visible to anyone who views that member's profile, including visitors who are not signed in.

Reviews are the opinions of the members who wrote them. Framemates does not verify, endorse, or adopt any review, and a member's rating is not a representation by us about that member's skill, reliability, or fitness for any engagement.

You may edit or delete a review you wrote at any time. A member cannot remove a review written about them simply because they disagree with it. Framemates may remove any review that violates these Terms, but we have no obligation to monitor or moderate reviews and do not guarantee that we will.

7.2 Direct messages

Messages you send through the Platform are stored on our systems so they can be delivered and displayed to you and the recipient. Messages are private between participants, but they are not end-to-end encrypted, and we may access them where necessary to investigate a suspected violation of these Terms, respond to a legal request, or protect the safety of our users. Do not transmit passwords, payment card details, government identification numbers, or other highly sensitive information through Platform messaging.

8. Payments & Fees

Any payment terms, rates, or fees agreed upon between a Client and a Professional are entirely between those parties. Framemates is not a payment processor, escrow service, or guarantor of payment.

8.1 Subscriptions

Framemates offers a free membership tier and optional paid subscription tiers. Current pricing is shown on the plan page inside your dashboard and at the point of purchase. Paid tiers unlock features such as priority placement in the directory, additional portfolio capacity, the ability to start direct conversations, and profile analytics.

Auto-renewal. Paid subscriptions are billed in advance on a recurring monthly basis and renew automatically until cancelled. By subscribing, you authorize us and our payment processor to charge your payment method on each renewal date at the then-current rate.

Cancellation. You may cancel at any time from your dashboard or by contacting us. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period; you retain paid features until that date. We do not provide partial or pro-rated refunds for unused time, except where required by law.

Price changes. We may change subscription pricing. We will give you reasonable advance notice by email or in-platform notice before a change takes effect, and the new price will apply from your next renewal. If you do not accept the new price, you may cancel before it takes effect.

Downgrades. If you cancel or downgrade, content that exceeds the limits of your new tier — for example portfolio items above the free-tier allowance — may become hidden from public view until you reduce it or upgrade again.

8.2 Payment processing

Payments are processed by Stripe. Framemates does not receive or store your full payment card details. Your use of Stripe is subject to Stripe's own terms and privacy policy.

Except as expressly stated above, all fees paid to Framemates are non-refundable unless otherwise required by law.

9. Disclaimers

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, FRAMEMATES DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

FRAMEMATES DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE PLATFORM WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, SECURE, OR FREE OF VIRUSES. FRAMEMATES DOES NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, OR RELIABILITY OF ANY USER CONTENT OR PROFILE INFORMATION.

10. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL FRAMEMATES, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, PARTNERS, OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA, LOSS OF GOODWILL, PERSONAL INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR ANY OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSS, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO:

• Your use of or inability to use the Platform;
• Any conduct or content of any third party on the Platform;
• Any engagement, agreement, or transaction between users;
• Unauthorized access to or use of your account or data.

IN NO EVENT SHALL FRAMEMATES'S TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO YOU EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO FRAMEMATES IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS ($100.00).

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. IN SUCH CASES, THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS APPLY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

11. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Framemates and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or in any way connected with:

• Your use of the Platform;
• Your User Content;
• Any engagement, contract, or transaction you enter into with another user;
• Your violation of these Terms;
• Your violation of any applicable law or the rights of any third party.

12. Dispute Resolution

12.1 Disputes between users

Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising between users — including disputes about work quality, payment, contracts, or professional conduct — is solely between those users. Framemates has no obligation to mediate, arbitrate, or resolve any dispute between users and will not be held liable for its outcome.

12.2 Disputes with Framemates

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform shall first be subject to informal negotiation. If unresolved within 30 days, disputes shall be submitted to binding arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA), conducted in English, in the state of Florida.

12.3 Class action waiver

You agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action. You waive any right to bring claims as a class member in any class action or representative proceeding.

13. Termination

Framemates reserves the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time and for any reason, including but not limited to violation of these Terms, fraudulent activity, or conduct that harms other users or the Platform. You may also delete your account at any time. Termination does not relieve you of obligations incurred prior to termination.

14. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. You consent to personal jurisdiction in the courts of Florida for any matters not subject to arbitration.

15. Changes to These Terms

Framemates reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify users of material changes by updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, by email or in-platform notification. Your continued use of the Platform after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms.

16. Contact

For questions about these Terms, please contact us at: