Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Heart of Gold Photography ("we," "our," or "us"), located at 3645 Windowpane Ln, Lexington, KY 40509, operates the website at wildgingermarketing.com/heartofgold and communicates with clients via phone, email, and SMS text messaging. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or contact us.

By using our website or submitting your information through any of our forms, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our website or submit your information.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information you voluntarily provide to us when you fill out a contact form, book a session, or opt in to our SMS program. This may include:

• First and last name
• Email address
• Mobile phone number
• City and state
• Session type preferences and inquiry details
• How you heard about us (lead source)
• SMS consent status and timestamp

We may also collect non-personally identifiable information automatically when you visit our website, including browser type, pages visited, and referring URLs, through standard web analytics tools.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To respond to your inquiries and schedule photography sessions
• To send booking confirmations, session reminders, and follow-up communications
• To send SMS text messages if you have opted in to our messaging program
• To send promotional offers, studio news, and exclusive announcements (with your consent)
• To improve our website and services
• To comply with applicable laws and regulations

4. SMS Text Messaging Program

4.1 Program Name

Heart of Gold Photography SMS Updates

4.2 Message Types

By opting in, you may receive the following types of text messages from Heart of Gold Photography: session availability alerts, booking confirmations, session reminders, exclusive mini-session announcements, promotional offers, and studio news.

4.3 Message Frequency

Message frequency varies. You may receive up to 4 messages per month. Frequency may increase during special promotions or mini-session announcements.

4.4 Message and Data Rates

Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier plan. Heart of Gold Photography is not responsible for any charges incurred from your mobile carrier.

4.5 How to Opt Out (STOP)

You may opt out of SMS messages at any time by replying STOP to any message you receive from us. After you send STOP, you will receive one final confirmation message and then no further messages will be sent. You may re-subscribe at any time by texting START or by re-submitting your phone number through our website.

4.6 Help

For help with our SMS program, reply HELP to any message, or contact us directly at info@hrtofgoldphoto.com or (859) 667-8104.

4.7 Consent Not Required for Purchase

Consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of purchasing any service from Heart of Gold Photography. You may book a session and receive our services without providing SMS consent.

4.8 Carrier Liability

Carriers (such as AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

4.9 Age Requirement

Our SMS program is available to individuals who are 18 years of age or older. By opting in, you confirm that you meet this age requirement.

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business (such as our CRM platform, email service, or SMS delivery provider). These providers are contractually obligated to keep your information confidential and use it only to provide services to us.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid legal process.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

We explicitly do not share your mobile phone number or SMS consent data with any third party for their marketing purposes.

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or disclosure. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. You may request deletion of your information at any time by contacting us.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including the right to access, correct, or delete your data. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@hrtofgoldphoto.com.

9. Children's Privacy

Our website and services are not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately so we can delete it.

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze site traffic, and understand how visitors interact with our content. A cookie is a small text file placed on your device when you visit our website.

10.1 Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies: These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable core features such as page navigation and access to secure areas. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.

Analytics Cookies: We may use analytics tools (such as Google Analytics) to collect anonymous information about how visitors use our website, including pages visited, time spent on pages, and referring URLs. This data helps us improve our website and services. No personally identifiable information is collected through these analytics cookies.

Functional Cookies: These cookies allow our website to remember choices you make (such as your preferred language or region) and provide enhanced, more personalized features.

10.2 Managing Cookies

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies, delete existing cookies, or be notified when a new cookie is set. Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

To learn more about cookies and how to manage them, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.

10.3 Do Not Track

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want your online activity tracked. Our website currently does not respond to DNT signals, but we do not sell or share your personal data with third parties for advertising purposes.

10.4 Third-Party Tracking

We do not use third-party advertising cookies or tracking pixels for retargeting or behavioral advertising. Any analytics tools we use are configured to anonymize IP addresses and are used solely for improving our website experience.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites and encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: