Privacy Policy
Effective Date: July 1, 2026
As It Was Photography ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is processed responsibly and in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 ("POPIA").
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect your personal information when you visit our website, submit an enquiry or book our photography services.
1. Responsible Party
As It Was Photography is the responsible party for the personal information collected through this website.
If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact:
As It Was Photography
Cape Town, South Africa
Email: hello@asitwasphotography.com
Website: asitwasphotography.com
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2. Information We Collect
Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect the following information:
Personal Information
* Full name
* Email address
* Telephone number
* Wedding or event date
* Photography session location
* Information you voluntarily provide in enquiry forms
* Any photographs or information you choose to send us
Website Information
When you browse our website, we may automatically collect:
* IP address
* Browser type
* Device information
* Pages visited
* Time spent on pages
* Referral website
* Cookies and analytics data
This information helps us improve the performance and functionality of our website.
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3. Why We Collect Your Information
We collect your information to:
* Respond to enquiries
* Provide photography services
* Prepare quotations
* Confirm bookings
* Communicate before and after your session
* Deliver your photographs
* Improve our website
* Maintain business records
* Comply with legal obligations
We will only process your personal information where we have a lawful basis to do so.
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4. Consent
By submitting an enquiry through our website or contacting us directly, you consent to the collection and processing of your personal information for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.
You may withdraw your consent at any time where permitted by law.
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5. Cookies
Our website may use cookies to:
* Improve website performance
* Remember your preferences
* Analyse website traffic
* Improve user experience
You may disable cookies through your browser settings, although certain features of the website may not function correctly.
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6. Google Analytics and Third-Party Services
We may use trusted third-party service providers, including analytics, website hosting, online galleries, payment providers and email services, to operate our business.
These providers may process limited personal information on our behalf and are required to protect your information in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
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7. How We Protect Your Information
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to safeguard your personal information against:
* Loss
* Unauthorised access
* Misuse
* Alteration
* Disclosure
* Destruction
While we strive to protect your information, no internet transmission or electronic storage method is completely secure.
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8. Sharing Your Information
We do not sell or rent your personal information.
We may share information only where necessary with trusted service providers such as:
* Online gallery platforms
* Cloud storage providers
* Website hosting providers
* Payment processors
* Accounting services
* Legal advisers where required
These parties are only permitted to use your information for the purposes of providing services to us.
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9. International Transfers
Some of our service providers may store data on servers located outside South Africa.
Where personal information is transferred internationally, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information as required under POPIA.
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10. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to:
* Provide our services
* Maintain client records
* Meet legal and tax obligations
* Resolve disputes
* Enforce agreements
When information is no longer required, it will be securely deleted or anonymised where reasonably possible.
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11. Your Rights Under POPIA
Subject to applicable law, you have the right to:
* Request access to your personal information
* Request correction of inaccurate information
* Request deletion of information where appropriate
* Object to certain processing activities
* Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
* Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided above.
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12. Children's Privacy
We photograph children only with the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
Any personal information relating to minors will be processed in accordance with applicable South African law.
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13. Marketing Communications
If you subscribe to newsletters or marketing communications, you may unsubscribe at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions in our emails or by contacting us directly.
We will not send marketing communications without an appropriate lawful basis.
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14. Links to Other Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites and encourage you to review their privacy policies separately.
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15. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
The latest version will always be published on this page together with the effective date.
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16. Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or the processing of your personal information, please contact:
As It Was Photography
Cape Town, South Africa
Email: hello@asitwasphotography.com
Website: asitwasphotography.com
If you believe your personal information has been processed unlawfully, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa).