Privacy Policy
At Golden Hour Studios, located at 42 Oak Street, Suite 200, Springfield, IL 62704, we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and share your personal information when you visit our website, use our services, or otherwise interact with us. This policy is effective as of January 1, 2025.
1. Data Collection
We collect several types of information from and about you, including:
- Personal Information: This includes information that can be used to identify you, such as your name, address, email address, phone number, and payment information. We collect this information when you book a photography session, subscribe to our newsletter, or contact us through our website.
- Usage Data: We automatically collect certain information about your interactions with our website, such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages visited, and the dates/times of your visits. This information helps us understand how you use our website and improve our services.
- Cookies: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your browsing activities. Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help us personalize your experience, analyze website traffic, and deliver targeted advertisements. You can control the use of cookies through your browser settings, but please note that disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features of our website. More information can be found in our Cookies Policy.
- Session Data: During photography sessions, we may collect additional personal information, such as emergency contact information, preferences for photography styles, and any special requests or instructions you provide.
We also use third-party analytics tools, such as Google Analytics, to help us analyze website traffic and user behavior. These tools may collect information about your visits to our website and other websites.
2. Data Usage
We use the information we collect for various purposes, including:
- Providing and Improving Services: We use your personal information to schedule and conduct photography sessions, process payments, communicate with you about your bookings, and provide customer support. We also use usage data and cookies to improve our website, personalize your experience, and develop new services.
- Marketing and Communications: With your consent, we may use your personal information to send you newsletters, promotional offers, and other marketing communications about our services. You can opt out of receiving these communications at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails or contacting us directly at info@goldenhourstudios.com.
- Legal Compliance: We may use your personal information to comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes. This includes responding to subpoenas, court orders, or other legal requests.
- Business Operations: We may use your personal information for internal business purposes, such as data analysis, auditing, and improving our business operations.
- Personalization: We use data to personalize your experience on our website and with our services. This includes recommending specific photography packages based on your preferences, and tailoring content to your interests.
Golden Hour Studios does not sell or rent your personal information to third parties.
3. Data Security
We take the security of your personal information seriously and implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect it from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:
- Encryption: We use encryption technology to protect your personal information during transmission and storage.
- Access Controls: We restrict access to your personal information to authorized employees and contractors who need to know the information to perform their duties.
- Regular Security Assessments: We conduct regular security assessments to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in our systems and processes.
- Physical Security: Our studio and offices are secured with physical access controls, such as locks and alarms.
- Employee Training: We train our employees on data security best practices and require them to comply with our privacy policies.
While we strive to protect your personal information, please be aware that no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your personal information.
4. Cookies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your browsing activities. Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help us personalize your experience, analyze website traffic, and deliver targeted advertisements. We use both session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which remain on your device for a set period of time).
The specific types of cookies we use include:
- Essential Cookies: These cookies are necessary for the operation of our website and enable you to use its essential features.
- Analytics Cookies: These cookies allow us to analyze website traffic and user behavior. We use this information to improve our website and services.
- Advertising Cookies: These cookies are used to deliver targeted advertisements based on your interests.
- Functional Cookies: These cookies allow us to remember your preferences and personalize your experience.
You can control the use of cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies, or to be notified when a cookie is set. However, please note that disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features of our website. For more information about cookies, please visit our Cookies Policy.
5. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites that are not owned or controlled by Golden Hour Studios. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.
Our website may include social media features, such as the Facebook "Like" button. These features may collect your IP address and track your browsing activities. Your interactions with these features are governed by the privacy policies of the social media companies providing them.
6. Data Retention
We will 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. When we no longer need your personal information, we will securely delete or anonymize it.
7. Your Rights
You have certain rights regarding your personal information, including:
- Access: You have the right to access the personal information we hold about you.
- Correction: You have the right to correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information we hold about you.
- Deletion: You have the right to request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
- Objection: You have the right to object to the processing of your personal information for certain purposes, such as direct marketing.
- Restriction: You have the right to restrict the processing of your personal information under certain circumstances.
- Data Portability: You have the right to receive your personal information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format and to transmit it to another controller.
- Withdrawal of Consent: If we are processing your personal information based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
To exercise these rights, please contact us at info@goldenhourstudios.com. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe.
8. Children's Privacy
Our website and services are not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at info@goldenhourstudios.com. We will take steps to delete the information as soon as possible.
9. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will post any changes on our website and update the effective date at the top of this policy. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.
10. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:
Golden Hour Studios
42 Oak Street, Suite 200
Springfield, IL 62704
Email: info@goldenhourstudios.com
Phone: 555-0100
Our Privacy Officer is Michael Davies, who can be reached at the above contact information.
11. Governing Law
This Privacy Policy is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict of law principles.