Policies

RETURNS, REFUNDS AND CGA POLICY

Your Rights Under the CGA

The Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) protects you when you buy products for personal use. If a product we sell is faulty, significantly different from the description, you have the right to a refund, replacement, or repair. We will meet all our obligations under the CGA.

Faulty or Damaged Goods

If your order is damaged in transit or a product is faulty: Please stop using the product and contact us immediately (within 2 days) at photography@ashwalker.co.nz with your order number and a photo of the issue. We will arrange for the return of the faulty item at our expense. Once we have assessed the item, we will offer a replacement, a repair, or a full refund, as required by the CGA.

Change of Mind Returns

Please choose carefully as we do not offer refunds or exchanges for a change of mind.

Incorrect Product Sent

If we mistakenly send you the wrong item, please notify us within 2 business days. We will arrange for the incorrect item to be collected at our cost and promptly send out the correct product.

Refund Processing

Approved refunds will be processed to your original payment method within 3 business days.

WEBSITE TERMS OF USE

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using this website, you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use.

2. Intellectual Property & Copyright (Crucial for Photography)

• Ownership: All photographic images, text, graphics, and other content displayed on this website are the property of Ash Walker Photography (the Photographer) and are protected by New Zealand and international copyright laws.

• Permitted Use: You may view the content of this site for personal, non-commercial use only.

• Prohibited Use: You may not copy, reproduce, modify, republish, distribute, or exploit any of the content, including the photographic images, without the express written permission of the Photographer. Unauthorised use is a breach of copyright.

3. Accuracy and Liability

While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website, we do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. We are not liable for any loss or damage (including indirect or consequential loss) arising from your use of this website.

4. Links to Third-Party Websites

This website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of these sites.

5. Governing Law

These Terms of Use are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New Zealand.

GENERAL BOOKING & SERVICE TERMS

The full legal terms and conditions for any photography service will be detailed in a separate Client Service Agreement sent to you at the time of booking. By proceeding with a booking or paying a retainer, you agree to the terms outlined in that specific contract.

The following is a general summary of our standard terms:

Booking & Retainer

All bookings are secured with a non-refundable retainer (deposit) of 50% of the Booking Fee. The balance is due 5 days before the scheduled shoot date.

Cancellation

Retainers are non-refundable. If the client needs to reschedule, at least 2 days notice is required. If the Photographer must cancel, all payments will be refunded or a new date will be offered. as detailed in the Client Service Agreement.

Copyright Ownership

The Photographer (Ash Walker Photography) retains the full and exclusive copyright to all images created. The client is granted a Personal Use Licence for their images, allowing for personal printing and sharing with family/friends.

Image Editing & Delivery

The Photographer will select and edit the final images in their signature style. Unedited or raw files are not provided under any circumstances. Delivery timeframes are specified in the Client Service Agreement.

Model Release

Unless specifically requested otherwise in writing, the Photographer reserves the right to use select images for self-promotion, display, portfolio, and marketing purposes. Clients may opt out of this via the Use of Images section of their contract.

Gallery Archiving

All online galleries are available for 1 year via the link I send you after our session. It is your responsibility to download/store all images from your gallery before your gallery expiry date. I will hold onto the files for 1 month after our session.

Privacy Policy

Ash Walker Photography is committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020. This policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information.

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal information when you:

• Use the contact form (Name, Email, Phone Number, Enquiry details).

• Sign up for a newsletter (Email address).

• Browse the website (Non-personal data via cookies/analytics, such as IP address, browser type, and pages visited).

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information to:

• Respond to your booking enquiries and communications.

• Process payments and issue invoices (after a contract is signed).

• Improve our website and services.

• Send you marketing information (only if you explicitly opt-in).

3. Disclosure of Information

We will not sell or rent your personal information. We may disclose your information to third parties only if:

• It is necessary to provide the service (e.g., sharing your details with a printer or lab to fulfil an order).

• We are required to do so by New Zealand law.

• You have expressly consented to the disclosure.

4. Security and Storage

We take reasonable steps to ensure your personal information is stored securely and protected from misuse, loss, or unauthorised access. We only keep personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes we collected it for.

5. Access and Correction

You have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, please contact us at photography@ashwalker.co.nz.