Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Last updated: 22/10/2026
1. Who I am
This website is operated by Sam Vanleysen, a photographer based in Belgium. In this policy, “I”, “me” and “my” refer to Sam Vanleysen.
I am responsible for the processing of personal data collected through this website.
Contact email: sam.vanleysen@telenet.be
This Privacy Policy explains what personal data I collect, how I use it, how it is stored and shared, and what rights you have regarding your personal data.
2. What personal data I collect
Depending on how you interact with this website, I may collect the following information.
Information submitted through the contact form
When you contact me through the website, I may collect your name, email address, business or organisation name (if provided), type of enquiry, project description, preferred date or timeframe, estimated budget and any other information you choose to include in your message.
Information shared directly with me
If you contact me by email or another communication channel, I may process the contact details and information you provide in that communication.
Website usage and technical information
When you visit this website, Squarespace and the tools enabled on the website may process technical information, such as your browser and device information, pages visited, approximate location derived from technical data, and information relating to cookies and website usage. The information collected depends on your cookie preferences and the services enabled on this website.
Photographs displayed on this website
This website contains photography presented as part of my portfolio and professional work. Some photographs may include identifiable people. Where applicable, I rely on the relevant permission, agreement or other lawful basis for publishing these images.
Please do not submit sensitive personal information through the contact form unless it is necessary for your enquiry.
3. Why I use your personal data
I use personal data for the following purposes:
Responding to enquiries: to answer questions, discuss potential projects and communicate with people interested in my photography. The legal basis is taking steps at your request before entering into a contract, where applicable.
Managing photography projects: where we work together, to communicate about the project, organise the work and fulfil our agreement.
Meeting legal obligations: to comply with applicable legal, administrative and accounting requirements where relevant.
Operating and protecting this website: to maintain the website, address technical issues and help protect it against misuse. Where applicable, this is based on my legitimate interests in operating a secure and functional website.
Understanding website usage: where analytics or similar non-essential technologies are enabled, to understand how visitors use the website, subject to the consent requirements that apply.
I do not use information submitted through the contact form to send unrelated marketing newsletters.
4. How long I keep your personal data
I keep personal data only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, taking into account applicable legal obligations.
Enquiries that do not lead to a project: I intend to keep these for up to 12 months after the last relevant communication, unless a longer period is reasonably necessary to resolve a matter or establish, exercise or defend legal claims.
Photography projects and client records: I keep relevant information for the duration of the project and afterwards for as long as necessary to fulfil contractual obligations, meet legal record-keeping requirements or handle potential disputes.
Cookies and analytics information: retention periods depend on the cookies and services used. Further information is provided in the Cookie Policy and the relevant cookie settings.
When information is no longer needed, I will delete it or otherwise handle it in accordance with applicable requirements.
5. How my website processes and stores information
This website is hosted on Squarespace. When you submit the contact form, the information you provide may be processed by Squarespace to operate the website and manage form submissions.
Contact form submissions may be stored through Squarespace and sent to my email account or other storage services configured for the form.
The contact form on this website is provided by Squarespace. Form submissions are processed and stored through Squarespace, and notifications are sent to my email account with Telenet so that I can respond to enquiries. The form also uses Google reCAPTCHA to help prevent spam.
I limit access to personal data to what is reasonably necessary to manage enquiries, operate the website and provide my photography services.
6. Who I share personal data with
I do not sell your personal data.
Personal data may be processed by service providers where necessary to operate this website and communicate with you. These may include:
Squarespace, as the website hosting and form service provider.
My email provider and any storage services connected to the contact form.
Other technical service providers that are actually used on this website, where they need access to data to provide their services.
Personal data may also be disclosed when required by law or where necessary to establish, exercise or defend legal claims.
Third-party websites and platforms linked from this website, including social media platforms, operate under their own privacy policies when you visit or interact with them.
7. International data transfers
Some service providers used to operate this website may process or store personal data outside the European Economic Area (EEA), including in countries such as the United States.
Where such transfers take place, the relevant service providers are responsible for using an appropriate transfer mechanism or safeguards where required by applicable data protection law. Further information about Squarespace's data processing arrangements is available in its privacy and data protection documentation.
8. Cookies and similar technologies
This website may use cookies and similar technologies that are necessary for the website to function. Non-essential cookies, such as analytics cookies, may also be used depending on the services enabled and your choices.
Where consent is required, non-essential cookies are used only after you have given the appropriate consent. You can manage your cookie preferences through the cookie banner or the available cookie settings.
For further information about the cookies used by Squarespace, please consult the Squarespace Cookie Policy.
9. Your privacy rights
Under applicable data protection law, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you may have the right to:
Request access to the personal data I hold about you.
Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
Request deletion of your personal data, where the legal conditions are met.
Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances.
Object to certain processing activities.
Request the transfer of certain personal data to you or another provider, where the right to data portability applies.
Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before it was withdrawn.
These rights are subject to applicable legal conditions and exceptions.
To exercise a right or ask a question about your personal data, please contact me at sam.vanleysen@telenet.be. I may need to verify your identity before responding. I will respond within the period required by applicable law.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Belgian Data Protection Authority (Gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit / Autorité de protection des données):
Website: https://www.gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit.be/
Email: contact@apd-gba.be
Address: Drukpersstraat 35, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
10. External links
This website may contain links to third-party websites, including social media platforms. I am not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites. I recommend consulting their respective privacy policies when using their services.
11. Security
I take reasonable measures to protect personal data against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure. However, no method of transmitting or storing information online can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
12. Changes to this Privacy Policy
I may update this Privacy Policy when the website, my services or applicable requirements change. The latest version will be published on this page, with the date of the most recent update shown at the top.
13. Contact
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal data is handled, please contact:
Sam Vanleysen
Email: sam.vanleysen@telenet.be
Address: 3010 Leuven, Belgium