Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 01/02/2015
Last Updated: 01/01/2026

1. Introduction

Indigo Studio (“we,” “us,” “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website, book our services, or interact with us. We comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act, No. 4 of 2013 (POPIA) and other applicable South African data protection laws.

2. Information We Collect

We collect personal information necessary for our business operations and service delivery:

2.1. Information You Provide Directly:

  • Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, company name, job title.
  • Project Information: Briefs, creative concepts, shoot details, location addresses.
  • Billing Information: Billing address, VAT number, payment details (processed securely via our payment partners).
  • Communications: Records of correspondence via email, contact forms, or phone calls.
  • Contractual Documents: Signed agreements, model releases, location permits.

2.2. Information Collected Automatically:

  • Website Usage Data: IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, time spent on site (via cookies and similar technologies). See our Cookie Policy below.
  • Gallery/Portal Access: Logs of when you access delivered assets.

2.3. Special Personal Information (Processed with Explicit Consent):
In the course of our work, we may capture images and video footage of individuals (e.g., your staff, models, or public). This is considered “special personal information” under POPIA. We process this:

  • Under contract to deliver services to you, our Client.
  • With explicit consent via signed Model Release Forms for portfolio use.
  • Where it has been deliberately made public by the data subject.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following lawful purposes:

  • To Perform Our Contract: To provide photography/film services, communicate about projects, deliver assets, and process payments.
  • Legitimate Business Interests: To manage client relationships, improve our services, conduct marketing (where you have not opted out), and for portfolio promotion (subject to consent/release).
  • Legal Compliance: To comply with South African laws, including tax regulations and POPIA.
  • Consent: Where we have obtained your explicit consent for a specific purpose (e.g., sending a marketing newsletter).

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We may share it only as follows:

  • Service Providers: With trusted third parties who assist our operations under strict confidentiality agreements (e.g., cloud storage providers, email marketing platforms, accountants, delivery couriers).
  • Legal Obligations: If required by law, court order, or governmental authority.
  • Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, sale, or transfer of our assets.
  • With Your Consent: For any other purpose disclosed to you with your prior consent.

5. International Transfers

Your information is primarily processed within South Africa. Some service providers (e.g., cloud servers) may be located outside South Africa. In such cases, we ensure they comply with data protection standards equivalent to POPIA through contractual safeguards.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, loss, or destruction. These include secure servers, encryption, access controls, and regular security reviews. However, no internet transmission is 100% secure.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law (e.g., financial records for 5 years under the Tax Administration Act).

  • Client Contact & Project Data: Retained for ongoing business relationship management and legal compliance.
  • Final Image/Film Assets: Retained as per our Terms & Conditions (6-month archival minimum) for client re-orders.
  • Portfolio Material: Retained indefinitely based on the legitimate interest of promoting our work, subject to model releases where required.
  • Website Analytics Data: Retained for a period of 24 months.

8. Your Rights Under POPIA

You have the right to:

  • Access: Request confirmation of what personal information we hold about you and request a copy.
  • Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
  • Deletion/Object: Request deletion of your information or object to our processing thereof (subject to legal and contractual obligations).
  • Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time.
  • Lodge a Complaint: Complain to the Information Regulator of South Africa.

To exercise these rights, contact us using the details in Section 10. We may need to verify your identity before proceeding.

9. Cookie Policy

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies.

  • Essential Cookies: Necessary for website functionality (e.g., secure areas). Cannot be switched off.
  • Analytics/Performance Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site (e.g., Google Analytics). This information is aggregated and anonymous.
  • How to Manage: You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

10. Contact Us & Information Officer

For any privacy-related questions, to exercise your rights, or to lodge a complaint, please contact our Information Officer:

Information Officer: Gita Claassen, Managing Director
Silver Chameleon (Pty) Ltd t/a Indigo Studio
Cape Town South Africa
Email: enquire@indigostudio.co.za
Phone: +27 (0) 81 077 86 94 or +27 (0) 78 492 5511

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. The “Last Updated” date at the top will reflect changes. Material changes will be communicated to active clients or via a notice on our website.

12. PAIA

As a small business, we comply with PAIA requirements. For information requests, contact our Information Officer at enquire@indigostudio.co.za