Cookie Policy

Last Updated: November 28, 2025

Introduction

We at Steve Sherk Photography (stevesherk.com) use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website. Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website; they help our website remember information about your visit. By using our site, you consent to the placement of cookies as described in this policy.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small data files that a website can place on your device to help the site function better. They allow us to remember your actions and preferences (such as login details or language choice) over time, so you don’t have to re-enter information when you return to our site. Some cookies are deleted when you close your browser (session cookies), while others remain on your device for a longer period (persistent cookies).

Types of Cookies We Use

We use the following categories of cookies on stevesherk.com:

Strictly Necessary Cookies: These cookies are essential for the website to operate. They enable core functionality like page navigation, security, and remembering your cookie consent preference. These cookies do not gather personal information and do not require your consent.
Performance and Analytics Cookies: These cookies collect aggregated data about how visitors use our site, without identifying individuals. For example, Google Analytics uses cookies (_ga, _gid, _gat) to count page views, sessions, and traffic sources. We use this information to analyze and improve our website’s performance. These cookies do not store any personal data.
Functionality Cookies: These cookies remember choices you make on our site to provide a more personalized experience. For example, if we offer language preferences or form inputs, a functionality cookie can remember your selection so you don’t have to re-enter it each visit. They are not strictly required but help enhance your browsing convenience.
Targeting/Advertising Cookies: These cookies track your visit to stevesherk.com and your activity on other websites to build a profile of interests and show you relevant ads. For example, Google Ads uses cookies (like IDE, NID) to target and measure ads, and Facebook/Meta uses cookies (_fbp, fr) for ads on Facebook and Instagram. We also use the Meta Pixel to retarget visitors. Microsoft Advertising (Bing) uses cookies such as MUID.

How We Use Cookies

We use cookies to ensure our website functions correctly and securely.
Cookies help us understand how you use stevesherk.com, so we can improve the site’s performance and user experience.
They enable us to remember your preferences and provide personalized features (such as saved form data or site settings).
We use cookies to deliver relevant advertising. For instance, cookies from Google, Meta, or Microsoft allow us to show you ads for Steve Sherk Photography on other sites you visit and to measure ad performance.

Third-Party Cookies

We may allow third-party cookies (set by domains other than stevesherk.com) for analytics, advertising, and other purposes. These include:

Google (Analytics, Ads, Tag Manager): Google Analytics sets cookies (_ga, _gid, _gat) for website statistics. Google Ads may set cookies (like IDE, NID) for ad targeting. We use Google Tag Manager to deploy these scripts, which may result in Google setting cookies when it runs Analytics or Ads tags.
Meta Platforms (Facebook/Instagram): If we advertise or embed content on Facebook or Instagram, Meta’s Pixel and social features set cookies (such as _fbp, fr) to measure ad effectiveness and track interactions. These cookies are governed by Meta’s privacy policies.
Microsoft (Bing Ads): For advertising on Microsoft’s network, cookies like MUID, _uetvid, and _uetmsclkid may be set to serve and measure ads on Bing.
Social Media Platforms: If our site includes embedded social content (for example, Instagram posts or TikTok videos) or share buttons, those platforms may set cookies when you interact with that content. These cookies are not under our control and are subject to the respective platforms’ policies.
Other Services: We may use other third-party services (such as plugins, booking tools, chat widgets, or content delivery networks) that set cookies for their own purposes. Any cookies set by such services would be described here once those services are implemented.

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

If you block all cookies (including essential ones) via your browser, some features of our website may not function properly.

Most browsers allow you to manage cookies through their settings. For example:

Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.
Mozilla Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data.
Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data.
Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions.

After changing your settings, you may need to refresh or reopen pages for the changes to take effect.

Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we do, we will update the Last Updated date above. We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies.

If you have any questions or concerns about our Cookie Policy or cookie usage, please contact us through the contact form on our website.