Privacy Policy for Stephen McGowan Photography

Your privacy is extremely important to Stephen McGowan Photography. This policy explains what personal information I collect, how I use it, and the rights you have under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). I only collect the information I need to run my business, deliver your wedding photography services, and communicate with you effectively.

By contacting me, booking me, or using my website, you agree to the terms of this privacy policy.

1. Who I Am (Data Controller)

Stephen McGowan Photography
22 Vienna Road
Edgeley
Stockport
SK3 9QH
United Kingdom

Phone: 07776 711107
Email: email@stephenmcgowanweddings.co.uk
Website: https://www.mcgowanweddings.co.uk

I am the data controller responsible for your personal information.

2. What Personal Data I Collect

I only collect information necessary to provide my services. This may include:

Information you provide

Names of you and your partner
Contact details (email, phone number, address)
Wedding date, venue, and schedule
Details relevant to your photography requirements
Contract and invoice information
Any messages or emails you send me

Information created during photography

Photographs and video footage
Metadata associated with images
Images of guests captured as part of the event

Website and technical data

IP address
Browser type and device information
Pages viewed
Cookies and analytics data

3. How I Use Your Personal Data

I use your information to:

Respond to enquiries
Prepare quotes, contracts, and invoices
Deliver your wedding photography services
Communicate before and after your wedding
Manage and deliver your online gallery
Maintain business records and accounts
Improve my website and services
Showcase my work (only with your consent)

4. Legal Basis for Processing

I process your data under the following lawful bases:

Contract – to provide the services you have booked
Consent – for using images for marketing or portfolio purposes
Legal obligation – for tax and accounting requirements
Legitimate interests – for running and improving my business

You may withdraw consent for image use at any time.

5. Cookies

My website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and help me understand how visitors use the site. Cookies may:

remember your preferences
improve website performance
enable features such as galleries
support analytics

You can disable cookies in your browser settings at any time. Some features may not work correctly if cookies are disabled.

6. Website Analytics and Server Logs

When you visit my website, certain technical information is automatically collected, such as:

browser type
device and operating system
pages visited
date and time of visit
IP address
referring website

This information is used to:

ensure the website works correctly
improve performance
protect the site from security threats
analyse visitor behaviour anonymously

This data does not identify you personally.

7. Registration or Account Creation

If you register for a client gallery or other website feature, I may collect:

your name
your email address
login details

This information is used to provide access to your gallery or files. You can request deletion of your account at any time unless legal obligations require retention.

8. Contact Forms and Email Communication

If you contact me through the website or by email, I will store the information you provide so I can respond to your enquiry and manage your booking. This information is never shared with third parties unless legally required.

9. Blog Comments (If Enabled)

If you leave a comment on my blog, the following may be stored:

your comment
your name or chosen display name
the date and time
your IP address (for security)

You can request removal of your comment at any time.

10. Comment Subscriptions (If Enabled)

If you subscribe to follow‑up comments, you will receive a confirmation email (double opt‑in). You can unsubscribe at any time.

11. Data Retention and Deletion

I only keep personal data for as long as necessary:

Enquiry emails: up to 12 months
Contracts, invoices, and booking information: 7 years (legal requirement)
Wedding photographs: indefinitely, unless you request deletion
Consent forms: retained as long as images are used

When data is no longer required, it is securely deleted or anonymised.

12. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the right to:

a) Access your data

Request a copy of the personal data I hold about you.

b) Rectification

Ask me to correct inaccurate or incomplete information.

c) Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”)

Request deletion of your data when it is no longer needed or when consent is withdrawn.

d) Restrict processing

Ask me to limit how your data is used in certain circumstances.

e) Data portability

Request your data in a machine‑readable format or ask for it to be transferred to another provider.

f) Object to processing

You may object to processing based on legitimate interests or to direct marketing.

g) Automated decision‑making

I do not use automated decision‑making or profiling that has legal or significant effects.

h) Withdraw consent

You may withdraw consent for image use or optional processing at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, contact me at email@stephenmcgowanweddings.co.uk.

13. Client Galleries (Pic-Time)

I use Pic-Time to deliver online client galleries.
Their privacy policy: https://www.pic-time.com/#PrivacyPolicy (pic-time.com in Bing)

When you access a gallery:

you must enter your email address
Pic-Time stores this securely
you may receive up to four gallery‑related emails (e.g., download reminders or print‑sale offers)
these emails are automated and only relate to your gallery

Galleries remain active for 12 months, after which:

the gallery is deleted
your email address is removed from Pic-Time’s system

Only I can access your email address within Pic-Time. It is never shared with third parties.

To request early deletion, email stephen@mcgowanweddings.co.uk.

14. Social Media Integrations

My website may include links or embedded content from platforms such as Facebook or Instagram. These platforms may collect data about your visit if you are logged in.

I do not receive or store this data.

For more information, please refer to their privacy policies: