Privacy Policy for Austin Photoblog
The short version: I collect what you send me, the site uses Google Analytics, and I do not sell your data.
Who is responsible
Sanjaya Das, trading as Austin Photoblog, Austin, Texas. For anything in this policy, write to [email protected].
What I collect
- Enquiries you email me: your name, contact details, date, venue, guest numbers and what you are planning.
- Booking and business records: the agreement, invoices, payments and correspondence for your booking.
- Photographs and films: including images of guests and, at family events, of minors.
- Site usage: pages viewed, approximate location derived from your IP address, device and browser, collected by Google Analytics.
- Theme preference: your light or dark choice is stored in your own browser and is not sent to me.
Cookies and analytics
This site sets no cookies of its own. It uses Google Analytics 4, which sets first-party cookies named _ga and _ga_<id> to count visits and see which pages are useful. Google receives that data under its own terms.
You can block or clear cookies in your browser, or install Google's opt-out browser add-on. The site works without them. There are no advertising pixels and no cross-site tracking.
Why I use it
- To answer your enquiry and send a quote.
- To plan, photograph, edit and deliver your booking.
- To invoice you and keep the records tax and accounting rules require.
- To understand which pages help visitors and improve the site.
- To meet legal obligations and resolve disputes.
Legal bases
If you are in the UK or the EU, I rely on these bases under the GDPR:
- Contract: handling your enquiry, booking and delivery.
- Legitimate interests: running the studio, site analytics, and keeping business records.
- Consent: using your images in my portfolio or on social media, and any marketing email.
- Legal obligation: tax, accounting and record keeping.
Who else sees it
I share data only where it is needed to run the studio:
- Google, for Analytics and for email through Gmail.
- The gallery service I use to deliver your images and films.
- The payment provider named on your invoice.
- My accountant and professional advisers.
- Authorities, where the law requires it.
I do not sell your data or share it for advertising.
How long I keep it
- Enquiries that do not become bookings: up to 24 months.
- Booking, invoice and payment records: as long as tax and accounting rules require, currently seven years in Texas.
- Photographs and films: long enough to deliver and back up your gallery. Portfolio copies stay only where you have given permission.
- Analytics data: per Google Analytics retention settings.
Your rights
You can ask for a copy of your data, have it corrected or deleted, receive it in a portable format, object to or restrict its use, and withdraw consent where consent is the basis. Email [email protected] and I will respond within one month.
If you are in the UK or the EU and are not satisfied with my answer, you can complain to your local data protection authority.
Security
Email and gallery links are protected in transit, and booking records live in password-protected accounts. No system is perfect: if you think something has gone wrong, tell me straight away and I will deal with it.
Children
Events often include children. Photographs are taken with the knowledge of the host family. A parent or guardian can ask for an image of a minor to be removed, and I will remove it from the site and my portfolio.
International transfers
Some providers, including Google, may process data outside the United States. Where the law requires it, those transfers rely on the provider's standard contractual terms.
Changes and contact
I may update this policy; the date at the top shows the current version. Questions, requests or complaints go to [email protected].