Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: March 2025

Helly Marie Photography is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how I collect, use, and safeguard your personal information in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable data protection laws.

By using my website and services, you agree to the collection and use of your information as outlined in this policy.

I collect the following types of personal information when you interact with my website or services:

• Personal Identifiable Information (PII): Name, email address, phone number, postal address, and other contact details when you book a session or submit an inquiry.
   
• Payment Information: Billing details when you make a purchase (processed securely through third-party payment providers).
   
• Photographs and Media: Images taken during photography sessions, which may be stored, shared, or used for promotional purposes with your consent.
   
• Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information, and usage data collected via cookies and analytics tools.
   

I will only use your personal data when the law allows me to. I use your information to:

• Process bookings, enquiries, and payments.
   
• Deliver photography services and provide customer support.
   
• Send updates, promotions, and marketing communications (with your consent).
   
• Improve my website, services, and customer experience.
   
• Comply with legal obligations and protect against fraud.
   

Under the GDPR, I rely on the following legal bases to process your personal data:

• Contractual Necessity: Processing personal data to fulfill contracts, such as booking a photography session or processing payments.
   
• Consent: With your consent to use your images for promotional purposes or to send marketing communications.
   
• Legitimate Interests: For purposes such as improving my services and website, and to communicate with you in relation to your inquiries and bookings.
   
• Legal Obligation: Complying with applicable legal requirements, such as tax and accounting obligations.
   

You have the right to withdraw consent at any time by contacting me at helen@hellymarie.co.uk

I do not sell or rent your personal data. However, I may share your information with:

• Service Providers: Third-party vendors who assist with payment processing, website hosting, and marketing.
   
• Legal Authorities: If required to comply with legal obligations or enforce our rights.
   
• Social Media & Portfolio Use: With your permission, images from sessions may be shared on our website, social media platforms, and marketing materials.
   

I ensure that any third parties with whom we share your personal data are compliant with data protection laws.

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure. However, please be aware that no online transmission or method of electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Under the GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right to Access: You can request access to the personal data we hold about you.
   
• Right to Rectification: You can request corrections if your personal data is inaccurate or incomplete.
   
• Right to Erasure: You can request the deletion of your personal data, subject to legal limitations.
   
• Right to Restrict Processing: You can request us to restrict the processing of your data in certain situations.
   
• Right to Data Portability: You can request that your personal data be transferred to another service provider.
   
• Right to Object: You can object to certain processing activities, such as direct marketing.
   

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [insert contact email].

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience and analyze website traffic. Cookies are small files stored on your device that allow us to recognize your preferences and improve our website functionality. You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings, but this may impact your experience on the website.

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

We do not transfer your personal data outside of the UK or European Economic Area (EEA). If this changes in the future, we will take appropriate measures to ensure that your data is protected in accordance with the GDPR.

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. We encourage you to review this policy regularly to stay informed about how we are protecting your data.

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact us at:

Helly Marie Photography
Email: [insert email]
Phone: [insert phone number]
Website: [insert website URL]

This updated policy ensures compliance with the GDPR by specifying the lawful basis for processing data, including transparency in how your data is used, and outlining your rights under the regulation.