Payments & Billing

Understand how payments work, when you're charged, and how to manage your payment methods.

Payment Security

Your payment information is protected with industry-leading security:

  • Square Payment Processing: We use Square, a trusted payment processor used by millions of businesses
  • PCI DSS Compliant: All card data is encrypted and stored securely
  • No Direct Charges: We never store your full card number on our servers
  • Secure Authorization: Your card is authorized but not charged until you approve the photo

🔒 Your Protection: Pic4Pay never sees your full card details. All payment processing happens through Square's secure infrastructure.

Payment Timeline

Here's exactly when and how payments are processed:

1. Request Creation

You add a payment method, but no charge is made yet.

2. Bid Acceptance

When you accept a photographer's bid, we authorize (hold) the bid amount on your card. This is not a charge—just a temporary hold.

3. Photo Submission

Photographer uploads the photo. You can review it before any money changes hands.

4. Photo Approval

When you approve the photo, the held amount is captured (charged) and transferred to the photographer. You receive an email receipt.

Managing Payment Methods

You can manage your payment methods from the Payment Methods page:

  • Add New Card: Click "Add Payment Method" and enter your card details
  • Update Card: Add a new card to replace an existing one
  • Delete Card: Remove cards you no longer want to use
  • Multiple Cards: You can store multiple payment methods and choose which to use
Understanding Charges

Here's what you pay and when:

  • Bid Amount: You pay exactly what you agreed to in the accepted bid
  • No Hidden Fees: The bid amount is the total you'll pay—no service fees or surprises
  • Authorization Hold: Temporary holds typically release within 5-7 business days if not captured
  • Refunds: If a photographer fails to deliver, the authorization is released (no charge)
Common Payment Questions

Why do I see a pending charge on my card?

When you accept a bid, we place an authorization hold (not a charge) on your card. This ensures funds are available when you approve the photo. If you don't approve, the hold is released automatically.

Can I get a refund if I'm not satisfied?

You only pay after approving the photo. If you're not satisfied, you can request revisions or decline the photo before approving. Once approved, sales are final.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) through Square's secure payment system.

Will I receive a receipt?

Yes! When a payment is captured (after you approve a photo), you'll receive an email receipt with full transaction details.

Payment History

Track all your payments in one place:

  • View completed transactions on your Order History page
  • See payment amounts, dates, and photographer details
  • Download receipts for your records
  • Track spending across all your photo requests