Privacy matters. A lot.

I know that every person, couple, or family who books a session is inviting me into a personal moment. That’s why I handle your images with as much care as I handle my camera.

On average, from ten sessions I photograph, I share only about one publicly. Most of my work is invisible to the outside world, not because I don’t love the photos, but because I respect my clients’ wishes.

Two ways my bookings work

1. Direct bookings through my website

When you book directly with me, I work with an opt-out approach.

Here’s how it works:

• I photograph and deliver your full gallery.
• In every message, I remind you that you can mark any (or all) photos as private. I give you a password exclusively for this.
• You have plenty of time to decide, at least a month before I even think about posting anything.
• You can make the whole gallery private, just a few images, or leave me the ones you’re happy to share (even without faces).
• Sometimes clients create a “favorites” album for me, and I only post from there.

Even if months later you change your mind, I'll take the photos down right away. No questions asked.

2. Bookings through a third-party agency

When work comes through an agency, it’s opt-in. The agency manages the contracts and the communication with the clients.

That means:

• After I deliver the gallery, the client decides if the company, and therefore I, can use the images.
• If there’s no answer, there’s no sharing, simple as that.
• Many times, the whole album stays private. Sometimes, a few images are shared.
• Around half the time, I never get any feedback at all.

A note about Limited Sessions

Sometimes I offer special Limited Sessions at a reduced price. These are designed, in part, to help me create fresh portfolio images to share online. This happens once or twice a year and is only announced through Instagram stories.

Because of that, a model release is part of the booking.

If you change your mind later and prefer not to have your images shared, I completely understand, but in that case, the discount offered for the session would need to be covered.

Why sharing matters

When a client allows me to post their photos, it’s the best gift they can give my business. It’s how new people discover my work. It’s also how I learn, seeing what people respond to helps me understand what’s working.

But I never assume I can share. Privacy is part of my process from day one. I don’t charge extra for it, and I never will. But I believe privacy wishes need to be communicated.

Communication is everything

The best time to talk about privacy is before your session. That way, I can plan accordingly and make sure you feel completely comfortable. I also create content that mentions I had a photography assignment, without sharing any specifics. This lets me show I worked that day without linking it to your session or event. And I’ll never put you in an uncomfortable situation, like asking for a selfie, just to give an example.

Even after your gallery is delivered, I keep it hidden so it’s not listed publicly in my online galleries. Private galleries stay online for just one month to help protect your privacy. Once stored offline, they’re marked as “private” to ensure there’s no mistake if posting is ever outsourced.

I’m here to create beautiful photos for you, whether they stay in your private album or are shared with the world. I only share when I know you’re comfortable, whether you’ve said yes directly or made it clear through the choices in your online gallery.

See you soon, and until the next photo session in Amsterdam.

Joanna, your Amsterdam photographer

Vacation photographer and local expert based in Amsterdam