PRIVACY POLICY

Last updated: April 1, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how personal data is collected, used, and protected when you visit valerioelia.ludovicavaleriofoto.com (the “Website”) or contact us through the Website.

By using this Website, you acknowledge that your personal data may be processed as described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Data Controller

The data controller for the processing of personal data through this Website is:

Valerio Elia
Email: valerioelia90@gmail.com

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal data is handled, you may contact the data controller at the email address above.

2. What personal data may be collected

Depending on how you use the Website, the following categories of personal data may be collected:

a) Information you voluntarily provide

If you contact us through the contact form, email, or other contact methods provided on the Website, you may provide personal data such as:

* name;
* email address;
* phone number (if provided);
* event details (for example wedding date, location, or project information);
* any other information you choose to include in your message.

b) Technical and usage data

When you visit the Website, certain technical information may be processed automatically in order to ensure the proper functioning and security of the Website. This may include:

* IP address;
* browser type and version;
* device information;
* operating system;
* date and time of access;
* pages visited;
* referrer URL;
* basic server or hosting logs.

This information is generally processed only to ensure security, performance, and proper delivery of the Website.

c) Cookies and similar technologies

This Website is intended to use only strictly necessary technical cookies and similar technical storage mechanisms required for the proper functioning of the Website.

For more information, please refer to the Cookie Policy.

3. Purposes of processing

Personal data may be processed for the following purposes:

* to provide and display the Website correctly;
* to ensure the technical operation, security, and stability of the Website;
* to respond to inquiries, booking requests, or messages sent through the contact form or by email;
* to communicate with you regarding photography services, availability, quotes, or project-related discussions;
* to protect the Website against abuse, unauthorized access, or technical issues;
* to comply with applicable legal obligations.

4. Legal basis for processing

Personal data is processed on one or more of the following legal bases under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

a) Pre-contractual steps / contract-related communications

If you contact us to request information about photography services, availability, quotes, or potential collaborations, your data may be processed because it is necessary to take steps at your request before entering into a contract (Article 6(1)(b) GDPR).

b) Legitimate interests

Technical data and certain communications may be processed on the basis of the legitimate interests of the data controller, including:

* operating and securing the Website;
* preventing misuse;
* managing and responding to communications in a professional context.

This legal basis applies where such interests are not overridden by your rights and freedoms (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR).

c) Legal obligations

Where necessary, personal data may also be processed to comply with applicable legal obligations (Article 6(1)(c) GDPR).

5. Is providing personal data mandatory?

You are not legally required to provide personal data simply to browse the Website.

However, if you wish to contact us through the Website or by email, certain personal data (such as your name and email address) may be necessary in order for us to respond to your request.

If you choose not to provide the necessary information, we may be unable to reply or provide the requested services or information.

6. How long personal data is retained

Personal data is retained only for as long as necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.

In particular:

* contact inquiries and booking requests may be retained for the time reasonably necessary to manage communications, evaluate potential services, and maintain relevant business records;
* technical logs may be retained for a limited period necessary for security, maintenance, and troubleshooting;
* where required, certain information may be retained longer to comply with legal, tax, accounting, or contractual obligations.

If you contact us but no service relationship follows, your information will generally not be kept longer than reasonably necessary for follow-up and record-keeping.

7. Recipients and third-party service providers

Personal data may be processed by third-party service providers that support the operation of the Website or communications, acting where applicable as **data processors** on behalf of the data controller.

Depending on the actual technical setup of the Website, these may include providers such as:

* **Showit** (website building / hosting infrastructure, where applicable);
* website hosting, CDN, or technical infrastructure providers;
* email service providers used to receive or respond to inquiries;
* contact form processing or delivery tools, if integrated into the Website.

These providers process personal data only to the extent necessary to provide their services.

At the time of this Privacy Policy, the Website is **not intended to use third-party advertising or marketing tracking tools** such as Meta Pixel or similar profiling technologies.

8. International data transfers

Some third-party service providers used for website hosting, infrastructure, email, or technical support may process personal data outside the European Economic Area (EEA), including in countries that may not provide the same level of data protection as the EEA.

Where such transfers occur, they will be carried out in accordance with applicable data protection law, including, where required, through appropriate safeguards such as:

* adequacy decisions by the European Commission; or
* Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or other legally recognized transfer mechanisms.

9. Data security

Reasonable technical and organizational measures are taken to protect personal data against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

However, no internet transmission or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. For this reason, while appropriate safeguards are used, absolute security cannot be guaranteed.

10. Your rights under the GDPR

If you are located in the European Union or otherwise entitled to protection under applicable data protection law, you may have the right to:

* request access to your personal data;
* request rectification of inaccurate or incomplete data;
* request erasure of your personal data;
* request restriction of processing;
* object to processing based on legitimate interests;
* request data portability, where applicable;
* withdraw consent, where processing is based on consent (if applicable);
* lodge a complaint with a competent supervisory authority.

To exercise any of these rights, you may contact:

Valerio Elia  Email: valerioelia90@gmail.com
We may need to verify your identity before responding to certain requests.

11. Right to lodge a complaint

If you believe that your personal data has been processed in violation of applicable data protection law, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority.

If you are in Italy, the competent authority is the:

Garante per la protezione dei dati personali
Website: https://www.garanteprivacy.it

12. Links to third-party websites

This Website may contain links to third-party websites or platforms (for example social media platforms such as Instagram).

If you click on a third-party link, you will be redirected to that third party’s website. Those websites are not controlled by us, and this Privacy Policy does not apply to them.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

13. Changes to this Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect legal, technical, or operational changes.

Any updated version will be published on this page together with a revised “Last updated” date.

14. Contact

If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or the processing of personal data, you may: