Is my information safe with you?
If you're here you obviously care a lot about your data privacy and have a keen interest in the recent GDPR rules, either that or you're here by accident in which case there's lots of lovely photographs to look at using the links above. So here is Stephen Williams Photography's GDPR compliance privacy policy:
Personal data I collect
I collect your name so I don’t have to call you Sir/Madam because that would be weird, your email address so I can communicate with you and possibly your mobile number so I can call you to find you on the wedding day. I will also collect your address at some point so I can post your wedding photos to you and take your photographs because that’s what you’ve paid me to do. All of this is necessary for me to do my job. All of this information is stored, backed up and encrypted. You always retain the right to be forgotten, simply ask via hello@stephenwphotography.co.uk
How I collect and keep your personal data
I use my psychic powers but that's quite draining so I’d rather prefer it if you used my contact form on my website, which arrives in a email inbox that is tightly passworded. If you go ahead with booking me as your wedding photographer all of your personal details will be encrypted and can only be accessed through me using a secure password. If you enquire but don’t book me I will delete all your personal data from my client database.
Right of confirmation, access, rectification and erasure
In all seriousness, if you have questions about how your personal data is handled, you can just drop me an email and I will quickly write something up. I’m happy to show you the information I have on you, and unsurprisingly it’ll probably be exactly the things you’ve told me . If some of the information is wrong, you have the right to correct it, and this would probably be a good idea because I may turn up at the wrong address and photograph the wrong wedding! If you’d like me to delete all your personal data, you have the right to request it act any time. I do tend to keep email addresses of my clients in the database for the duration that I provide your online galleries, which is 1 year, if you’d like to fully close your account with me in a manner of speaking, just let me know and I can totally wipe you.
Use of your data
I will, obviously, 100% definitely use your email to email you about your wedding and to share your online galleries with you. If there’s something related to your wedding like a discount coupon for prints, I’ll possibly email you that too if I like you. I wouldn’t give your email out to anyone else, even if a second photographer is used all of the communication will go through myself! I also don't send out newsletters etc and won't barrage you with emails as I think if you want to know something you totally have the right to just ask.
After your wedding I might send you a questionnaire for a blog post, you aren’t obliged to fill it out and what you write in there may be edited into content for your blog feature, so again, please don’t leave treasure maps to pots of gold in there. Any and all information I request from you is entirely voluntary.
Use of your face-based data
I don't think anyone at the EU has decided if your lovely face counts as personal data, but if I do want to use your image for advertising you will be asked for prior consent and this is covered in the contract sent when booking me. I will only use photographs for reasonable and legitimate uses (such as advertising) and I can guarantee your images won't be used by someone else without clear and express permission from yourself.
Obviously working within a visual art I do have to share images for my business such as using images on social media and my website. When booking me you've probably already looked at this and know that all of the people in the images have consented to this and I've not been flashing their photographs without their permission! I totally respect my couples privacy and a quick message and I can remove images from any of my channels to make sure everyone is happy.
During the booking process the contract agreed to contents a model release which gives me persmission to us images for legitimate and reasonable uses, at this point and any point beyond this you can request this consent to be removed. You can also veto any photos you deem too sloppy, and it is your responsibility to ask your guests’ permission but usually they will let you know pretty quickly if they aren't happy.
I store photos of your on password encrypted hard drives in my house that is behind very secure locked doors! I own a lot of camera kit so security matters to me already. The online albums I use are hosted by an outside company that is GDPR compliant.
In summary
I'm not going to take the mick, I won't be flashing your pics to everyone and anyone without your permission and any details I have of yours are secure and, as far as I can ensure, safe.
Who I use
Online galleries and website are hosted by Pixieset. See their policies here.
Emails are handled by Google. See their policies here.