Privacy Policy

SJ Photography, LLC respects your privacy and is committed to being transparent about how information is collected, used, and protected when you visit our website, submit an inquiry, join our email list, download a resource, or otherwise interact with our business online.

This Privacy Policy applies to SJ Photography, LLC and the brands operated by the company, including *Samantha Josette Photography , SLO Branding by Samantha Josette and Muse Studio by Samantha Josette

INFORMATION WE COLLECT
We may collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:
* Your name
* Email address
* Phone number
* Business or company name
* Social media handles or website information
* Wedding, event, session, or project details
* Preferred dates and locations
* Information submitted through questionnaires or contact forms
* Information you provide when joining a waitlist or email list
* Information provided when downloading a free resource
* Communications you send to us
You are not required to provide personal information simply to browse our website.

INFORMATION COLLECTED AUTOMATICALLY
When you visit our website, certain information may be collected automatically through cookies, analytics tools, and similar technologies.
This information may include your device type, browser type, IP address, approximate location, pages viewed, referring website, time spent on the website, and general website activity.
We use this information to understand how visitors interact with our website, improve the user experience, measure website performance, and evaluate our marketing efforts.

HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
Information collected through this website may be used to:
* Respond to inquiries and communicate with potential or current clients
* Provide information about photography, branding, studio, or related services
* Process and manage bookings
* Deliver requested guides, checklists, downloads, or other resources
* Manage email lists and waitlists
* Send newsletters, educational content, announcements, promotions, and special offers when permitted
* Improve our website, services, and client experience
* Analyze website traffic and marketing performance
* Maintain business and administrative records
* Prevent misuse, fraud, or security issues
* Comply with applicable legal requirements
We do not sell your personal information for money.

EMAIL MARKETING
If you voluntarily join our email list, request a downloadable resource, join a waitlist, or otherwise consent to receive marketing communications, we may send you emails regarding our services, educational resources, availability, events, promotions, and other business updates.
Our email marketing may be managed through third-party providers such as **Flodesk**.
You may unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link included at the bottom of our marketing emails.
Unsubscribing from marketing communications will not necessarily prevent us from sending transactional or service-related communications regarding an active inquiry, booking, contract, payment, or client relationship.

CONTACT + BOOKING FORMS
We may use third-party customer relationship management and booking platforms, including HoneyBook, to collect inquiries, manage client communication, send proposals and contracts, issue invoices, and process bookings.
Information submitted through these platforms may be processed and stored according to the third-party provider's own privacy policies and terms.

PAYMENT INFORMATION
When payments are made through a third-party payment processor or booking platform, payment information is generally processed directly by that provider.
We do not intentionally store complete credit or debit card information on this website.
Payment processors may collect and process information according to their own privacy policies and security practices.

COOKIES + ANALYTICS
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to remember preferences, understand website traffic, analyze visitor behavior, improve website functionality, and measure marketing effectiveness.
Some cookies may be placed by third-party services integrated into our website.
Depending on your browser, device, and applicable law, you may be able to control or disable cookies through your browser settings or through any cookie preference tools provided on this website.
Disabling certain cookies may affect how portions of the website function.

THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
We may use third-party services to operate our website and business, including services for:
* Website hosting
* Client management and booking
* Email marketing
* Payment processing
* Website analytics
* Online galleries
* Social media
* Scheduling
* File storage or delivery
* Forms and questionnaires
These third parties may process personal information as necessary to provide their services.
Their handling of your information is also governed by their respective privacy policies and terms.

SOCIAL MEDIA + EXTERNAL LINKS
Our website may include links to Instagram or other social media platforms, websites, vendors, venues, publications, or third-party resources.
Once you leave our website, your activity is governed by the privacy practices and terms of the website or platform you visit.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices, security, or content of third-party websites.

PHOTOGRAPHY + CLIENT IMAGES
Photographs displayed on our website may feature clients, models, businesses, events, venues, products, or other individuals and subjects.
The publication and use of client images is governed by the applicable photography agreement, model release, licensing agreement, or other authorization.
This Privacy Policy does not independently grant us additional rights to use client photographs beyond the rights established by those agreements and applicable law.

HOW INFORMATION IS SHARED
We may share information with service providers and contractors when reasonably necessary to operate our business, provide services, maintain our website, communicate with clients, or perform administrative functions.
We may also disclose information when required by law, legal process, court order, or when reasonably necessary to protect our rights, property, business, clients, or others.
We do not disclose personal information to unrelated third parties simply for them to independently market their products or services to you unless you have consented or the disclosure is otherwise permitted by law.

DATA SECURITY
We take reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect the information entrusted to us.
However, no website, email system, online platform, or electronic storage method can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the absolute security of information transmitted or stored electronically.

DATA RETENTION
We may retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide services, maintain business records, comply with legal or tax obligations, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and operate our business.
Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information and the purpose for which it was collected.

CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS
California residents may have certain rights regarding their personal information under applicable California privacy laws.
Depending on the law and circumstances applicable to your information, these rights may include requesting information about personal information collected about you, requesting correction or deletion of certain information, or requesting information regarding how certain personal information is disclosed.
Not every California privacy law or right applies to every business or situation.
To submit a privacy-related request, please contact us using the contact information provided below. We may need to verify your identity before completing certain requests.

CHILDREN'S PRIVACY
This website and our online marketing are not directed toward children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information online directly from children under 13 without appropriate authorization.
Our photography services may involve photographing minors; however, information and permissions related to those services are handled through the applicable parent, guardian, client agreement, and/or release.
If you believe a child has submitted personal information to us through this website without appropriate authorization, please contact us.

YOUR CHOICES
You may choose not to provide certain personal information, although doing so may prevent us from responding to an inquiry or providing certain services.
You may unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time using the unsubscribe link provided in those communications.
You may also contact us regarding questions or requests concerning your personal information.

CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes to our business practices, technology, services, or legal requirements.
Any changes will become effective when the updated Privacy Policy is posted on this website. The “Last Updated” date at the top of this page will reflect the most recent revision.

CONTACT

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact:

SJ Photography, LLC
Samantha Josette Photography
SLO Branding by Samantha Josette
San Luis Obispo County, California

Email: Samanthajosettephoto@gmail.com

Website: www.samanthajosette.com