PRIVACY POLICY

Last updated: August 13, 2026

​

This Privacy Policy explains how Nina Merklina Photography ("I," "me," "my") collects, uses, and protects information from visitors to merklina.com and any related domains or subdomains (the "Site"), and from clients who book sessions.

This Policy is separate from, and does not incorporate, the Session Terms and Client Agreement or the Website Terms of Use. Each stands on its own.

​

1. WHAT I COLLECT

- Contact and booking information. When you reach out by form, email, or phone, or book a session, I collect what you provide: name, email, phone number, and any details about your session such as location preferences, group size, or scheduling needs.

- Payment information. I accept checks, cash, Venmo, Zelle, and invoiced credit card payments through PayPal. Card payments are processed directly by PayPal under its own privacy and security practices; I do not receive or store your full card number. Payment method details for check, cash, Venmo, and Zelle are handled the same as any other business record.

-Session and gallery information. Delivered galleries are hosted through Pixieset. Pixieset's own privacy practices govern data you provide directly to them, such as a shipping address for print orders.

-Site traffic data. Standard traffic data such as browser type, pages visited, and general location is collected automatically through Wix's built-in site tools. This is not tied to your identity.

-Cookies. The Site uses cookies for basic functionality, such as remembering site preferences and recognizing repeat visitors. This isn't linked to personally identifying information.

I do not run a store, do not ship physical products directly, and do not collect information through account registration, since there is no user account system on this Site.

​

2. HOW I USE IT

Information you provide is used to:

• Respond to inquiries and book sessions

• Communicate with you about your session, delivery, and invoicing

• Send occasional email updates about availability, new offerings, or seasonal promotions, unless you opt out

• Maintain business records

I am the sole holder of information collected through the Site. I don't sell, rent, or trade client information to anyone.
 

3. TESTIMONIALS

I may display testimonials or reviews you've given me, by email, text, or otherwise, on the Site or in marketing materials. Booking a session and agreeing to the Session Terms gives specific consent for this use where you've provided a testimonial.

If you'd like a testimonial removed at any time, email nina@merklina.com and I will do so promptly.

​

4. IMAGES AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Permission to use session images is governed separately by Section 5 of the Session Terms and Client Agreement, including the opt-out described there.

On data specifically: I do not submit client images or personal information to AI training datasets, and have no plans to. I can't promise that content published publicly on the Site or social media will never be collected by third-party web crawlers — no one honestly can. Publicly available AI assistants retrieving and citing this Site to answer a person's question are welcome to.
 

5. MINORS

Some sessions include children. Information about a minor collected in connection with a session (name, session details) is provided by a parent or guardian and used only for that purpose. I don't knowingly collect information directly from children through the Site itself, and the Site isn't directed at children.

Publication of images involving minors is governed by Sections 5–7 of the Session Terms, including parental opt-out.

​

6. THIRD PARTIES

The Site may link to third-party services I use to run the business, including Wix (site and booking), Pixieset (gallery delivery), and PayPal (invoiced card payments). I don't control those services and this Policy doesn't extend to their practices. I encourage you to review their privacy policies if you have concerns.

Some business partners or ad platforms may use their own cookies or tracking on the Site. I don't control or have access to that data.

​

7. YOUR CHOICES

You can opt out of marketing emails at any time by contacting nina@merklina.com or using the unsubscribe link in any email.

Opting out of image use is separate and covered in Section 7 of the Session Terms and Client Agreement.

​

8. SECURITY

I take reasonable precautions to protect information you provide. Sensitive information submitted through the Site is encrypted in transit. Access to personally identifying information is limited to what's needed to run the business.

No online system is perfectly secure, and I can't guarantee absolute security of information transmitted to the Site.

​

9. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

I may update this Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on this page with a new effective date.

​

10. CONTACT

Nina Merklina Nina Merklina Photography nina@merklina.com 917-940-9326