Privacy Policy | Michael Kloth Photography

Effective Date: February 2026
Last Updated: February 2026

Your privacy matters to me. This Privacy Policy explains how I collect, use, protect, and share information when you visit my website, book photography sessions, or purchase products from Michael Kloth Photography.

Quick Summary

I collect only the information necessary to provide photography services and fulfill orders. I don't sell your personal information to third parties. Your session photos remain private unless you give me permission to share them for portfolio or marketing purposes.

Information I Collect

Information You Provide Directly

When you contact me, book a session, or make a purchase, I collect:

Contact Information:

Name
Email address
Phone number
Mailing address (for product shipments)

Session Information:

Session type (pet photography, headshots, corporate)
Preferred dates and times
Pet names and behavioral information (for pet sessions)
Professional context and usage needs (for headshot sessions)
Special requests or requirements

Payment Information:

Billing address
Payment card information is processed securely through Square and Stripe. I don't store your complete payment card details on my servers.

Communication Preferences:

Your preferences for how I contact you (email, phone, text)
Marketing communication preferences

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit michaelklothphotography.com, I automatically collect:

Website Usage Data:

IP address
Browser type and version
Device information
Pages you visit and time spent on each page
Referring website
Geographic location (city/state level, not precise location)

Cookies and Similar Technologies:

Session cookies (required for website functionality)
Analytics cookies (help me understand how visitors use my site)
Marketing cookies (if you've consented, for Facebook/Instagram ads)

You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

How I Use Your Information

To Provide Photography Services

Schedule and coordinate your photography session
Communicate about session details, timing, and logistics
Prepare for your specific session needs
Edit and deliver your photographs
Process print and product orders
Provide customer support

To Improve My Business

Analyze website traffic and user behavior to improve site design
Understand which services are most popular
Identify technical problems
Evaluate marketing effectiveness

To Communicate With You

Send session reminders and preparation guides
Share proofs and final galleries
Respond to your inquiries
Send occasional marketing emails about new services, special promotions, or helpful photography tips (only if you've opted in)
Request reviews or testimonials

Legal and Safety Purposes

Comply with legal obligations
Protect against fraud or misuse of services
Enforce my terms of service and client agreements
Resolve disputes

How I Share Your Information

Third-Party Service Providers

I work with trusted service providers who help me run my business. These companies have access to your information only to perform specific tasks on my behalf and are obligated to protect your information:

Website and E-commerce:

Squarespace - Website hosting and e-commerce platform
Square and Stripe - Payment processing

Client Management:

17hats - CRM, workflow automation, invoicing, and client communication
PhotoShelter - Secure photo gallery hosting and delivery

Email and Communication:

Email service providers for transactional emails and newsletters (if you've opted in)

Analytics:

Google Analytics - Website traffic analysis (anonymized data)

Marketing (with your consent):

Meta (Facebook/Instagram) - Product catalog and shopping features (see my Opt-Out Policy for details)

Portfolio and Marketing Use of Photos

I do not share your session photos publicly or use them for marketing purposes without your explicit permission.

With Your Permission: If you grant permission through my Photo Release Agreement, I may use your session photos for:

Portfolio display on my website
Social media marketing (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
Print marketing materials
Photography competitions and publications
Community involvement features (especially for rescue animal volunteer work)

You Always Have Control:

You can grant permission for specific images, not just blanket approval
You can revoke permission at any time by contacting me
I'll remove images from future marketing materials upon request (though I can't retrieve materials already distributed)

Legal Requirements

I may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government request, or if necessary to protect my rights or safety.

Business Transfers

If I sell my business or merge with another company, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. The new owner would be required to honor this Privacy Policy.

Your Photos and Image Rights

Ownership and Copyright

I retain copyright to all photographs I create. You receive a license to use your purchased images according to the terms in your client agreement.

Storage and Security

Gallery Access:

Your private online galleries are password-protected
Gallery links expire after the timeframe specified in your client agreement (typically 90 days for viewing, with options to extend)
Downloaded images remain yours to use according to license terms

Backup and Retention:

I maintain secure backups of your final edited images for a minimum of 2 years after session delivery
Raw, unedited files are typically deleted after final delivery (edited images represent the professional work product)
Print orders and product files are retained as long as needed to fulfill orders and provide customer support

Photo Deletion Requests

If you wish to have your photos deleted from my systems before the standard retention period:

Contact me with your specific request
Allow 30 days for complete deletion from all backup systems
Note that deletion is permanent and I won't be able to provide files or reprints after deletion
I may retain basic transaction records (name, date, session type) for tax and legal purposes even after photo deletion

Data Security

I take reasonable measures to protect your information:

Technical Safeguards:

SSL encryption for data transmitted through my website
Secure payment processing through PCI-compliant providers
Password-protected access to client management systems
Regular software updates and security patches

Operational Safeguards:

Limited access to personal information (only myself and necessary contractors)
Secure backup systems
Regular review of security practices

However, no system is completely secure. While I work to protect your information, I cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your Privacy Rights

Access and Correction

You have the right to:

Request a copy of the personal information I have about you
Correct inaccurate information
Request deletion of your information (subject to legal and business retention requirements)

To exercise these rights, contact me at michael@michaelklothphotography.com.

Marketing Communications

You can opt out of marketing emails at any time by:

Clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any marketing email
Contacting me directly
Updating your preferences in the client portal (if applicable)

Important: Opting out of marketing emails does not affect essential communications about your sessions, orders, or account.

Cookie Preferences

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

Block all cookies (may affect website functionality)
Accept only first-party cookies
Delete cookies after each session
Receive notifications before cookies are set

For more information about cookies and how to control them, visit www.aboutcookies.org.

Do Not Sell My Information

I do not sell your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes. For information about Meta's use of shopping data, see my Opt-Out Policy.

Children's Privacy

My services are not directed to children under 13, and I do not knowingly collect information from children under 13. If you're a parent and believe I've collected information from your child, please contact me immediately.

When photographing minors (under 18), I require a parent or guardian to:

Complete the booking and client agreement
Be present during the session
Provide permission for any marketing use of images

California Privacy Rights

If you're a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

Right to Know:

Categories of personal information collected
Sources of information
Business or commercial purposes for collection
Categories of third parties with whom information is shared

Right to Delete:

Request deletion of personal information I've collected (subject to legal exceptions)

Right to Opt-Out:

Opt out of the "sale" of personal information (though I don't sell information in the traditional sense)

To exercise these rights, contact me at michael@michaelklothphotography.com with "California Privacy Request" in the subject line. I'll respond within 45 days.

International Users

My business is based in Tucson, Arizona, and I primarily serve clients in the greater Tucson area. If you're accessing my website from outside the United States:

Your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States
U.S. data protection laws may differ from those in your country
By using my services, you consent to this transfer and processing

Changes to This Privacy Policy

I may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect:

Changes in my business practices
New legal requirements
Improved privacy practices

When I make significant changes, I'll:

Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
Notify active clients by email
Post a notice on my website homepage for 30 days

Your continued use of my services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Third-Party Links

My website may contain links to other websites (such as social media profiles, vendor partners, or client galleries hosted on third-party platforms). This Privacy Policy applies only to michaelklothphotography.com. I'm not responsible for the privacy practices of other websites. I encourage you to read their privacy policies before providing any information.

Contact Me About Privacy

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how I handle your information:

Email: mike@michaelklothphotography.com
Phone: 520-301-3340
Mail: Michael Kloth Photography, 4729 E Sunrise Dr #422, Tucson, AZ 85718

For specific privacy requests (access, deletion, correction), please include "Privacy Request" in your email subject line.

Related Policies

For more information about how I operate, see also:

Summary of Key Points

What I collect: Name, contact info, session details, payment information, website usage data

How I use it: To provide photography services, improve my business, communicate with you, and comply with legal requirements

Who I share with: Service providers who help run my business (Squarespace, 17hats, PhotoShelter, payment processors). Never sold to third parties for their marketing.

Your photos: Private by default. Only used for portfolio/marketing with your explicit permission. You can revoke permission anytime.

Your rights: Access your information, correct errors, request deletion, opt out of marketing, control cookies

Security: SSL encryption, secure payment processing, password-protected systems, regular backups

Questions? Contact michael@michaelklothphotography.com

Last Updated: February 2026

Effective Date: February 2026