Privacy Policy: The (Actually) Important Bit

Last Updated: 01/02/2026

I’m Claire Hirst, and I operate Claire Hirst Photography. Because my work involves capturing your most personal moments and handling your data (names, emails, and those all-important photos), I take your privacy very seriously. This policy explains how I collect, use, and protect your information in compliance with UK GDPR.

1. The Data I Collect

When you interact with my website or book a session, I collect:

  • Personal Information: Names, email addresses, phone numbers, and home addresses.

  • Event Details: Wedding dates, venue locations, and family details.

  • Visual Data: Photographs in which you and your guests are identifiable.

  • Technical Data: Your IP address and how you use my website (via Squarespace cookies).

2. Why I Collect This Data (Legal Basis)

Under UK law, I must have a "lawful basis" to process your data. I rely on:

  • Contractual Necessity: I need your data to fulfill our agreement, communicate about your wedding, and deliver your photos.

  • Legitimate Interests: This allows me to process images of you and your guests to provide my photography services. It also allows me to use images for my portfolio and social media to demonstrate my work (unless you specifically ask me not to).

  • Consent: For things like joining a mailing list or specific marketing.

3. How I Store and Protect Your Images

Your memories are precious. I use a "belt and braces" approach to security:

  • Physical Storage: Images are stored on secure, password-protected hard drives.

  • Cloud Storage: I use GDPR-compliant professional gallery software (e.g., Pic-Time/Pixieset) and cloud backups to ensure your images are safe from hardware failure.

  • Retention: I typically keep your final edited gallery for [e.g., 5 years] to provide a backup service, though I am not legally a permanent storage facility.

4. Third-Party Service Providers

I never sell your data. I only share it with essential services that help me run my business, such as:

  • Squarespace: My website and analytics provider.

  • Gallery Platforms: To deliver your high-resolution images.

  • Professional Printing Labs: Only if you order physical products.

  • Cloud Backup Services: For secure image archival.

5. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access the personal data I hold about you.

  • Request that I correct any inaccuracies.

  • The "Auntie Doris" Rule: If a guest appears in a photo on my website or social media and wishes for it to be removed, please contact me, and I will remove it immediately.

  • Request that I delete your personal data (subject to my need to keep records for tax and insurance purposes).

6. Cookies

This website is hosted by Squarespace. They use cookies to help the site run effectively and provide me with analytics. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings or the banner on this site.

7. Contact Me

If you have any questions about how I handle your data, or if you’d like to exercise your rights, please get in touch:

Email: smith@clairehist.co.uk Based in: North East, UK