Privacy Policy
Melissa Cooney Photography ABN 12 454 097 019
1. Introduction
Melissa Cooney Photography ("we", "our", "us") provides professional childcare and kindergarten photography services in Queensland. We are committed to protecting the privacy, safety, and dignity of all children and families engaging with our services. This Privacy Policy outlines how personal information and images are collected, stored, used, and protected, and how our practices align with the regulatory expectations set out by the Queensland Department of Early Childhood Education and Care (www.earlychildhood.qld.gov.au) and the privacy and security features of our online gallery provider, Zenfolio (www.zenfolio.com).
2. Relevant Regulatory Guidance and Alignment
Queensland early childhood services must comply with state and national privacy, safety, and child protection obligations. Examples include:
- Photography, filming, and digital media guidance from the Queensland Early Childhood Education and Care website. www.earlychildhood.qld.gov.au
https://oia.pmc.gov.au/published-impact-analyses-and-reports/child-safety-review
- Requirements under the Education and Care Services National Regulations. https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/pdf/inforce/current/sl-2013-0265
- Expectations around safe digital practices including consent, confidentiality, and device use.
https://earlychildhood.qld.gov.au/sector-news-and-resources/news-for-educators-and-service-providers/new-code-on-taking-sharing-and-storing-images-of-children
- Regulations under the new National Model Code
https://www.acecqa.gov.au/national-quality-framework/child-safety/national-model-code-taking-images-early-childhood-education-and-care
Although the National Model Code is intended to apply to educators, other staff and volunteers at center based ECEC services, not specifically professional photographers, trades, entertainers, families etc all efforts in relation to privacy and security of digital media will be enforced by Melissa Cooney Photography to adhere to safety and privacy regulations including the National Model Code as much as possible as set out in this policy.
3. Collection of Personal Information
We collect limited personal information necessary for providing photography services, including:
- Child’s first & Last name
- Group or room details
- Parent/guardian contact details
- Consent documentation
We do not collect unnecessary personal information. Only information needed to accurately fulfil orders or create a shooting list and information needed to communicate with parents/guardians is requested
4. Consent
Written parental/guardian consent is strictly required before any child is photographed. Consent forms are distributed through each center via a unique QR code linking to a registration form which will explain how images will be used, stored, and accessed. Children will not be photographed without signed consent from a parent or guardian. Consent can be withdrawn at any time prior to the day of photographing.
Group photo styles, if at all, will be chosen by the ECEC management, in accordance with their privacy policies and preferences
5. Image Capture Protocols
To maintain a safe environment:
- No mobile phones, smart watches or recording devices aside from a DSLR Nikon camera are used onsite.
- Melissa Cooney is the sole photographer and editor and holds a valid Working with Children Blue Card.
- No outsourcing of editing or image handling occurs other than fulfilment of a print order by a trusted Austaralian Printing Laboratory or when an image is uploaded to your secure gallery via Zenfolio.com
- Photography occurs only with staff supervision in compliance to each individual centers child safety policies
6. Storage and Security of Images
Images are stored securely:
• Physical onsite encrypted storage controlled solely by the business owner.
• Strong passwords and end to end encryption for digital files.
• Original RAW files and edited final image files are stored on physical hard drives in the sole and secure possession of Melissa Cooney, no cloud based storage is used.
• Website provider, Zenfolio provides encrypted, password-protected galleries with Two Party Authentication active on our end.
• Images retained only as necessary; early deletion of galleries available upon request
7. Online Galleries (Zenfolio Platform)
Zenfolio ensures:
- Individual Password-protected galleries
- Encrypted file hosting and transfer
- Two-factor authentication
- Gallery lockout feature for incorrect password entries
- Download and sharing restrictions
- No public visibility or searchable SEO for private galleries
- Zenfolio Privacy Policy can be viewed here https://zenfolio.com/privacypolicy/
8. Printing and Production
Professional printing laboratories access files only for the purpose of printing and delete them after fulfilment. No long-term storage or marketing use occurs.
We work only with professional labs that meet Australian privacy and secure data-handling expectations.
https://www.streetsimaging.com.au/privacy-policy/
9. Disclosure of Information
We do not sell, trade, or disclose data except:
- Where required by law
- Where required for print fulfilment
10. Access and Correction
Parents/guardians may request:
- Access to gallery images and contact information held by us
- Corrections to details and information
- Permanent deletion of all images or deletion of online gallery.
- Early deletion of contact details. Contact details are collected through the booking/consent registration forms sent through the Jotform Platform.
Jotforms privacy policy can be found here https://www.jotform.com/privacy/
11. Contact Details
Melissa Cooney Photography
Email mcphotography@live.com.au
Mobile 0431986061