Her Dark Side PhotographyPrivacy Policy

Effective Date: June 16, 2025

Last Updated: June 16, 2025

Introduction

Her Dark Side Photography ("we," "us," or "our"), located at 50 NE Dixie Highway, Stuart, Florida 34994, operates the website hdsphotography.com (the "Site"). We are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our Site or engage our photography services.

Please read this policy carefully. If you disagree with its terms, please discontinue use of our Site. If you have questions, contact us at the information provided at the end of this document.

Scope of This Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to all information collected through our website (hdsphotography.com), inquiry forms, booking systems, email communications, and any related services, sales, or events (collectively, the "Services"). It does not apply to third-party websites, services, or applications that may be linked from our Site.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide to Us

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

Submit an inquiry or contact form on our Site

Book or schedule a photography session

Sign a client service agreement or model release

Communicate with us via email or social media

Make a payment for services

The personal information we may collect includes:

Full name

Email address

Mailing address

Date of birth (for age verification purposes)

Payment and billing information (processed through secure third-party payment processors)

Session preferences, special requests, and notes shared during consultations

Images and photographs taken during your session

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our Site, we may automatically collect certain technical information, including:

IP address and approximate geographic location

Browser type and version

Device type and operating system

Pages visited and time spent on each page

Referring website or source

Cookies and similar tracking technologies

Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third-party platforms including social media sites (such as Instagram and Facebook), booking platforms, and advertising partners, subject to their respective privacy policies.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

To Provide and Manage Our Services

Process and confirm session bookings and inquiries

Communicate session details, preparation guides, and follow-up information

Deliver and present your photographs and gallery access

Process payments and send invoices or receipts

Fulfill contractual obligations under client service agreements

To Operate and Improve Our Business

Maintain and improve our website functionality and user experience

Analyze trends and usage to enhance our offerings

Send administrative and operational communications

To Market Our Services

Send promotional emails, newsletters, or special offers (with your consent)

Display portfolio images on our website and social media (subject to your signed model release)

Run targeted advertising campaigns on platforms such as Meta (Facebook/Instagram)

To Comply with Legal Obligations

Meet applicable federal, Florida state, and local legal requirements

Respond to lawful requests from law enforcement or government authorities

Protect our legal rights and enforce our agreements

Legal Basis for Processing Your Information

We process your personal information under the following legal bases:

Contractual Necessity: To fulfill our obligations under the client service agreement you enter into with us

Legitimate Interests: To operate and improve our business, prevent fraud, and communicate with clients

Consent: Where you have explicitly opted in (e.g., marketing emails or portfolio display)

Legal Compliance: Where we are required to process information to meet legal obligations

How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party vendors who assist us in operating our Site and delivering our services, including:

Payment processors (e.g., Square, Stripe, or similar platforms)

Website and CRM platforms (e.g., GoHighLevel)

Cloud storage and gallery delivery platforms

Email marketing platforms

Accounting and bookkeeping software

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and may only use it for the specific purpose for which it was shared.

Social Media and Portfolio Display

If you have signed a model release as part of your client agreement, your photographs may be shared on our website portfolio, Instagram, Facebook, or other marketing materials. You may opt out of this at any time by contacting us in writing.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or governmental authority, or if we believe such disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of Her Dark Side Photography, our clients, or the public.

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our business assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email or prominent notice on our Site if such a transfer occurs.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our Site uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and analyze Site usage. Cookies are small data files stored on your device.

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies: Required for the Site to function properly

Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our Site (e.g., Google Analytics)

Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements and track campaign performance (e.g., Meta Pixel)

Your Cookie Choices

You may disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our Site. Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies; refer to your browser's help section for instructions.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Specifically:

Client session records and contracts: Retained for a minimum of five (5) years for legal and business purposes

Photographs and digital files: Retained for a period of one (1) year following your session, after which they may be deleted unless otherwise agreed in writing

Inquiry and contact form submissions: Retained for up to two (2) years

Marketing opt-in records: Retained until you unsubscribe or withdraw consent

When your information is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

Data Security

We implement commercially reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:

Secure, encrypted storage of digital files

Password-protected client galleries

Limited access to personal information by authorized personnel only

Use of PCI-compliant payment processors for all financial transactions

However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Your Privacy Rights Under Florida Law

Florida residents may have rights under the Florida Digital Bill of Rights (FDBR) and other applicable Florida statutes, which may include the right to:

Know what personal data we collect about you and how it is used

Access and obtain a copy of your personal data

Correct inaccurate personal data we hold about you

Request deletion of your personal data, subject to certain legal exceptions

Opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal data for targeted advertising purposes

Non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

To exercise any of these rights, please submit a written request to us using the contact information at the end of this policy. We will respond to verified requests within forty-five (45) days as required by applicable law. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.

Children's Privacy

Our Services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. All clients must be 18 years of age or older to book and participate in sessions independently. If a parent or legal guardian has arranged a session on behalf of a minor, we collect only the information necessary to provide the agreed services.

If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a minor without appropriate parental consent, please contact us immediately and we will take steps to delete such information.

Third-Party Links and Platforms

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites, social media platforms, or services (such as Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

Marketing Communications and Opt-Out

With your consent, we may send you promotional emails about our services, special offers, or studio news. You may opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time by:

Clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any marketing email

Contacting us directly at the email address listed below

Please note that even after opting out of marketing communications, you may still receive transactional or administrative emails related to services you have booked or inquired about.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. If changes are material, we may notify you by email or by posting a prominent notice on our Site. Your continued use of our Services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.

Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Her Dark Side Photography

50 NE Dixie Highway

Stuart, Florida 34994

Website: hdsphotography.com

Studio Location: Stuart, FL — Serving the Treasure Coast & Palm Beach County

To submit a privacy request or opt-out request, please use the contact form at hdsphotography.com/contact.

This Privacy Policy was prepared in accordance with Florida state law, including the Florida Digital Bill of Rights, and applicable federal regulations.