Privacy Policy
I take the collection, storage & protection of data very seriously. Here is an overview of my data handling processes & systems.
What personal data do I collect?
Initially, I collect your name, email address & phone number so that I can contact you in relation to your enquiry. When you book with me I ask for some further information (for example your address) & closer to the date of your shoot I will ask you for any information that we need to complete your shoot. All of the information I ask you for is necessary to enable me to do my job properly.
How I collect & keep your personal data
I store all client data on one laptop, which is password protected & encrypted. I use a database called LightBlue to manage my client data. LightBlue is fully GDPR compliant. If you choose to book with me I will only keep information that is necessary for me to carry out my work as a photographer (such as email addresses, home address & telephone numbers).
I will keep this information in my database for the period required to complete my work up to & including the date of your shoot, plus a reasonable amount of after your shoot to enable me to deal with any additional enquiries, questions or orders (for example prints) relating to your booking. After this time I will only retain your name & email address as a point of contact connected to your shoot.
If you send me an enquiry regarding a photo shoot & choose not to book with me, whilst I’ll be sad, I will delete all of your data after 12 months. This time frame allows me to monitor the number of enquiries received & bookings made over a year-long period. Your information will not be used for any other purpose & I will not contact you for any reason unrelated to your initial enquiry unless you specifically request to join my mailing list.
Who I share your data with
I don’t like to share data. Your data is stored in our LightBlue database as detailed above. LightBlue is fully GDPR compliant. Your final, finished, photos are stored with ShootProof to enable me to provide you with your online gallery. ShootProof is also GDPR compliant. The only data I share with them is your email address to enable them to send you your gallery link & downloadable files.
On the day of your shoot, I may share your address & phone number with an assistant so that they know i) where they need to be to do their job, & ii) so that they can contact you should a problem arise.
Use of Photos
I LOVE to show off my photography & potential clients LOVE to see real photos (just like you did), not stage-managed images shot specifically for the portfolio.
If you book me to photograph you, I do, as standard, include terms in my contract allowing me to use photographs on my website & social media pages.
However, if you would prefer me not to use your images, I will happily remove this from the contract & will refrain from sharing your photos.
Occasionally a third party, perhaps a business network will see one of my photos & approach me to ask to use it. Whilst I love to receive praise for my work, I will never pass on your photos to another party without seeking your permission first.
Your final images are stored in an online gallery for viewing & downloading. These galleries are fully password protected. I only share the password with you, my client, it is then your decision as to who you share the password with.
The online galleries are removed after 12 months & the images archived in the Cloud with ShootProof my online gallery provider. This archive is an off-site, security back-up of your final photos & means that I (& no one else) can access your photos at any time, from anywhere should you require retrospective access to your images.
In Summery
Whilst I do collect & store client data to enable me to do my job & provide the fantastic service that I am renowned for, I will only use it for purposes relating to your shoot. I am not going to sell or pass on your information to anyone else & I won’t be sending you hundreds of emails that are unrelated to your own shoot.
If you have any questions about how I handle your personal data please drop me an email at hello@allywhitlock.com I’m happy to show you the information I hold on you, unsurprisingly it will be exactly the same as the things you have told me! You can also ask me at any time to delete all of your personal data & although I will be sad to say goodbye I will happily oblige with your request.