Privacy Policy
Last Updated: August 23, 2025
At Shelima Photos, we are committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information when you visit our website (https://shelima.photos), engage with our photography services, participate in our workshops, or interact with us on social media. By using our services, you consent to the practices described in this policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically, as it may be updated to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements.
1. Information We Collect
We collect personal information to provide and improve our photography services, workshops, and website functionality. The types of information we collect include:
- Personal Data: Information that can identify you, such as your first name, last name, email address, and phone number, provided when you complete our contact form to book a session, register for a workshop, or inquire about services.
- Event-Specific Data: Details such as your desired date, location, and service interest (e.g., Wedding, Engagement, Motherhood/Maternity, Couples/Anniversaries, Lifestyle Family, Lifestyle Newborn, or Other), collected to tailor your photography experience.
- Photographic Data: Photographs taken during sessions may contain personal data, such as images of you or event attendees. With your consent, we may use select images for promotional purposes (e.g., on our website, blog, or social media).
- Usage Data: Information about how you interact with our website, including IP address, browser type, pages visited, and time spent, collected automatically via cookies or similar technologies.
- Correspondence Data: Information provided through contact forms, emails, or inquiries, such as your message details and contact preferences.
We do not collect payment information or complete addresses. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 16 without parental consent. If you believe we have collected such data, please contact us immediately.
2. How We Collect Information
We collect information in the following ways:
- Directly from You: When you fill out our contact form with details like your name, email, phone number, desired date, location, service interest, and additional details.
- Automatically: Through cookies, web beacons, or analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) when you visit our website. These tools help us understand site usage and improve user experience.
- Via Third Parties: From platforms like social media (e.g., Instagram, Facebook) when you interact with us.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to provide, personalize, and improve our services. Specific purposes include:
- Service Delivery: To schedule and conduct photography sessions, deliver photos, or organize workshops based on your provided details (e.g., date, location, service type).
- Communication: To respond to inquiries, confirm bookings, or send updates about your session or workshop via email or phone.
- Marketing and Promotion: With your consent, to share news, special offers, or showcase your photos on our website, blog, or social media.
- Website Improvement: To analyze usage data and enhance website functionality and user experience.
- Legal Compliance: To meet legal obligations, such as responding to lawful requests from authorities.
4. Legal Basis for Processing
We process personal data based on the following legal grounds:
- Consent: When you provide explicit permission, such as agreeing to promotional use of your photos or receiving marketing emails.
- Contractual Necessity: To fulfill bookings or provide workshop services based on your contact form submissions.
- Legitimate Interests: For website administration, analytics, or improving our services, provided your rights are not overridden.
- Legal Obligations: To comply with applicable laws, such as data protection regulations.
5. Sharing Your Information
We may share your information with:
- Service Providers: Trusted third parties, such as website hosts or gallery platforms, to facilitate our services. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data.
- Marketing Partners: With your consent, we may share select photos for promotional purposes on platforms like Instagram or lifestyle blogs.
- Legal Authorities: When required by law, such as in response to subpoenas or court orders.
- Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale, your data may be transferred as a business asset, subject to this policy.
We do not sell your personal information to third parties for commercial purposes without your consent.
6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience and analyze site performance. Cookies may include:
- Session Cookies: Temporary cookies to manage your website session.
- Preference Cookies: To remember your settings and preferences.
- Analytics Cookies: To track website usage via tools like Google Analytics.
You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or our website’s privacy controls. Note that disabling cookies may affect website functionality. For more details, see our Cookie Policy.
7. Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse, including secure servers for data storage. However, no online transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Your Rights
Depending on your location (e.g., under GDPR or CCPA), you may have the following rights:
- Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
- Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Erasure: Request deletion of data no longer needed.
- Restriction: Limit how we process your data.
- Objection: Object to processing for marketing or analytics purposes.
- Withdrawal of Consent: Revoke consent at any time (e.g., for promotional photo use or marketing emails).
- Data Portability: Request your data in a transferable format.
To exercise these rights, contact us at info@shelima.photos. We will respond within 30 days or as required by law.
9. Data Retention
We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy, such as fulfilling bookings or maintaining client galleries. Photos used for promotional purposes are retained until you withdraw consent. After the retention period, data is securely deleted or anonymized, unless required by law.
10. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party sites (e.g., social media platforms). We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their policies before sharing information.
11. International Data Transfers
If you are outside the United States, your data may be transferred to and processed in the U.S., where our servers are located. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in compliance with applicable laws.
12. Children’s Photography
For sessions involving children (e.g., family portraits or events), we require parental consent to photograph minors and process their data. If you specialize in children’s photography, we include specific safeguards to comply with laws like COPPA.
13. Social Media Policy
We may share photos on social media with your consent. We never request personal details via social media platforms. Please verify the authenticity of our profiles before engaging. To withdraw consent for photo use, email us at info@shelima.photos.
14. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on our website with a revised “Last Updated” date. Significant changes will be communicated via email or a prominent notice on our site.
15. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us:
- Phone: +1 571 544 1147
- Email: info@shelima.photos
- Address: Stephens City, Virginia
- Website: https://shelima.photos
We are committed to addressing your concerns promptly and transparently.
By using our website or services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy. Thank you for trusting Shelima Photos to capture your story.