Take a session deposit and a signed-off policy at booking in Acuity (photographer setup)
Charge a fixed or percentage deposit per session type, make clients tick your terms before they can book, and know where Acuity stops (no e-signatures, and no saved-card holds if PayPal is connected).
Go to Payments → Payment at Booking, turn off Use the same method for all appointment types, and for each session type choose Collect deposits or full payment → Deposit amount ($) or Deposit amount (%). Then open the Intake Form Question page, click New Terms & Conditions Agreement, make the checkbox required, tick the session types it applies to, and save. Clients can't book without paying the deposit and agreeing.
Steps
- Connect a processor. Stripe, Square, or PayPal. If you want the saved-card option later, use Stripe or Square only.
- Open payment settings. Payments → Payment at Booking. Turn off Use the same method for all appointment types so a mini session and a wedding consult can differ.
- Set each session type. Expand it, choose Collect deposits or full payment, and pick Deposit amount ($) for a flat retainer or Deposit amount (%) for a share of the price. Toggle on Clients can pay the full amount in advance if you want to let people pay everything now.
- Price every session. Acuity notes that free appointment types can always be booked without a card. A free "consult" is fine on purpose, but don't leave a paid session at $0 by mistake.
- Click Save at the bottom of the list.
- Add the agreement. Open the Intake Form Question page → New Terms & Conditions Agreement. Paste your booking policy: deposit refundability, reschedule window, late arrival, and image delivery time. Link the full contract with a full
https://URL. - Make it required. Set the checkbox field as required. In Show this form when scheduling (bottom left), tick the session types it applies to, then click Save Form.
- Send clients their copy. Attach completed forms to your confirmation emails. Acuity says this creates a time- and date-stamped record of what the client agreed to.
- Book yourself. Use a real card for a cheap test session. Check the deposit amount, the required tickbox, and the confirmation email, then refund yourself.
Deposit and fee math
Session deposit calculator
The fee defaults are illustrative inputs, not a verified processor quote. The model applies percentage-plus-fixed fees only to positive charges. A zero deposit has no deposit fee, and a 100% deposit has no later balance charge. Use your processor's actual pricing and conditions; minimum charges, refunds and other costs are not modeled. If the deposit is non-refundable, say so in the agreement in plain words, and check local consumer rules.
Where Acuity stops
- No e-signatures. The agreement is a required tickbox, not a signature. For a signed contract, link an e-sign tool.
- Saved cards need Stripe or Square alone. With PayPal connected, alone or alongside another processor, the saved-card option isn't available.
- Packages and gift certificates are always paid in full at purchase, whatever deposit you set for sessions.
Acuity is Squarespace's scheduling product. Check its current plans for payment features.
Sources
- Acuity Help: Choosing how clients pay for appointments (updated Mar 27, 2026)
- Acuity Help: Add terms and agreements to your appointments (updated Jul 14, 2026)
Common checks
Can clients e-sign a contract inside Acuity?
No. Acuity's help center says intake forms can't capture electronic signatures. Use a tickbox agreement in Acuity, and send a separate e-signature tool's link if you need a signed contract.
Can I save a card instead of taking a deposit?
Yes, with Collect and save card details, but only if Stripe or Square is your sole processor. It doesn't work with PayPal. The card gets a small pre-authorization that's reversed automatically.
Published November 7, 2026. Sources last read November 7, 2026. Send a correction.