Last updated: September 30, 2026

Who I am

This website, https://mdkauffmann.com, belongs to MDKauffmann Photography, a wedding and portrait photography business serving the Metro East and St. Louis area, run by Matthew D Kauffmann. This policy explains what information I collect through this website and my photography services, what I do with it, and the choices you have. You can reach me at matthew@mdkauffmann.com.

What I collect

Information you give me. When you fill out an inquiry form, book a session, sign up for emails, or use one of the planning tools on this site, you may give me your name, email address, phone number, event date, event details, and anything else you choose to write. If you book, I also collect what I need for contracts and invoices.

Planning tools. Some tools ask for optional details like names or birthdates to give you a fuller result. Details entered in the optional body rhythm section of the Date Picker tool stay in your browser. They are not saved or sent to me.

Payments. Payments are handled by the payment services I use. I do not see or store your full card number.

Automatic information. Like most websites, this one collects basic technical information such as your IP address, browser type, device, and the pages you visit. Cookies help the site work and help me understand how it is used.

Comments. If you leave a comment, I collect what is in the comment form plus your IP address and browser details to help catch spam. An anonymous string made from your email address may be sent to Gravatar to check for a profile picture. Their policy is at https://automattic.com/privacy/.

Photographs. When I photograph you or your event, the images are stored and delivered through the gallery or delivery service used for that job.

How I use it

I use your information to answer your questions, plan and deliver your photography, send contracts and invoices, send emails you signed up for or asked about, keep my records, improve this website, and meet legal requirements. I do not sell your personal information.

Email and text messages

If you sign up, I send email through an email service provider. Every email includes an unsubscribe link. If I send text messages, or a service I use sends them for me, such as photo delivery messages, message and data rates may apply and the message explains how to opt out. You can ask me to stop at any time.

Flash Photos and face matching

Flash Photos is a service where guests at an event scan a QR code, take a selfie, and enter a phone number or email. I then send each guest the photos I take of them at that event.

To find the photos a guest appears in, the service uses face matching software provided by Candid Color Systems, Inc. Face matching measures the geometry of a face in your selfie and in event photos, and compares the two. Some laws, including the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, treat that measurement as biometric information.

What is collected. Your selfie, the name and contact information you enter, and face geometry generated during matching.

Why. Only to send you the photos you appear in. I do not sell, lease, or trade this data, and I do not use it for advertising or any other purpose.

Consent. I use face matching only after you agree on the check in screen. If you do not agree, do not check in.

How long it is kept. Face geometry is kept only as long as needed to match photos for the event. It is permanently deleted within 90 days after the event ends. It may be deleted sooner if matching finishes earlier, if you ask, or if the event is removed from the platform.

Your choices. To withdraw consent or request deletion, email matthew@mdkauffmann.com. A parent or guardian must agree to face matching for any guest under 18.

Who I share information with

I share information only with the companies and people I need to run the business, and only as much as they need to do their job. That includes:

• Client management, contracts, and invoices: HoneyBook
• Email marketing: MailerLite
• Payment processing: Square
• Photo delivery and face matching for Flash Photos: Candid Color Systems, Inc. and the technology providers it uses
• Website hosting, security, and site analytics providers
• Second photographers or assistants who work my events with me

I may also share information when the law requires it, or to protect my rights or the safety of others. If I start using a new type of company to run the business, I will add it here. I do not sell or rent your information, and I do not share face geometry with anyone except as described in the Flash Photos section.

How long I keep information

I keep inquiry and client records as long as I need them to serve you, keep my business records, and meet legal and tax requirements. Face geometry follows the schedule in the Flash Photos section.

Your choices

You can unsubscribe from any email using the link in it. You can ask to see, correct, or delete information I hold about you by emailing matthew@mdkauffmann.com. You can control cookies through your browser settings. If you live somewhere that gives you additional privacy rights, tell me what you are asking for and I will respond as the law requires.

Security

I take reasonable steps to protect your information, and I choose the services I use with that in mind. No system is perfect, so I cannot promise absolute security.

Children

This website is not meant for children under 13, and I do not knowingly collect information from them.

Changes

When I change this policy, I will update the date at the top of the page.

Contact

MDKauffmann Photography
Matthew D Kauffmann
matthew@mdkauffmann.com