Last Updated: August 2025
Welcome to LensCulture — an online platform dedicated to the presentation and discovery of contemporary photography and related visual arts worldwide. LensCulture, Inc. ("LensCulture," "we," "our," or "us") operates the website lensculture.com and related services. Our mission is to help outstanding photographers reach a wide and influential global audience, and to inspire and inform everyone who engages with the work we present.
By creating an account, submitting content, or otherwise using our website or services (collectively, the "Services"), you agree to these Terms of Use ("Terms"). Please read them carefully. If you do not agree, do not use our Services.
1. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms at any time by posting a new version on our website. Changes take effect immediately upon posting unless stated otherwise. Your continued use of our Services after changes are posted means you accept those changes.
2. Privacy
Your use of our Services is also subject to our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and protect your information.
3. Description of Services
Our Services may include:
- LensCulture-produced content such as articles, interviews, essays, and curator's picks
- User-generated content including photographs, text, and multimedia
- Calls for entries, competitions, awards, and grant opportunities
- Online events, public programs, and educational resources
- Job listings and creative opportunities
- Links to external resources, including grants, fellowships, residencies, scholarships, and other photography-related programs
We may modify, expand, or discontinue parts of the Services at any time.
4. User-Generated Content
You are responsible for all content you submit, post, or display through the Services ("Your Content"). By submitting Your Content, you confirm that you own or have the necessary rights to share it and that it does not infringe the rights of others.
You grant LensCulture a limited, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, display, adapt, and distribute Your Content through our Services and affiliated channels for as long as it remains published on our systems. This includes use in promotional and marketing materials with proper attribution.
We do not claim ownership of Your Content, and you retain all copyrights. You are responsible for ensuring Your Content is accurate, lawful, and compliant with these Terms. We may remove or refuse to display any content at our discretion.
5. Prohibited Conduct
You agree not to use the Services to:
- Post unlawful, threatening, defamatory, obscene, hateful, or discriminatory content
- Harass, abuse, or harm others
- Violate intellectual property rights
- Upload viruses, malware, or harmful code
- Engage in fraudulent or deceptive activities
We may suspend or terminate your account if you violate these rules.
6. Payments and Subscriptions
Some Services require payment. All fees are billed in advance (monthly or annually) and are non-refundable except where required by law. You are responsible for any taxes or duties imposed by applicable authorities.
If a payment method fails, we may attempt to process it again before suspending your account.
7. Cancellation and Termination
You may cancel your subscription at any time via your account settings. Cancellation does not entitle you to a refund for unused time. We may terminate or suspend your account for any reason, including violations of these Terms. Upon termination, Your Content may be removed from our systems.
8. Linked Sites and Third Parties
Our Services may link to third-party websites. We do not control, endorse, or assume responsibility for their content, policies, or practices. Your interactions with third parties are solely between you and them.
9. Intellectual Property
All LensCulture-produced content, trademarks, and branding are owned by LensCulture or its licensors and are protected by intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, or distribute our materials without prior written consent.
10. Disclaimer of Warranties
Our Services are provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. We do not guarantee uninterrupted, error-free operation or that the Services will be free from viruses or harmful components.
11. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, LensCulture will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits, data, or goodwill, arising from or related to your use of the Services.
12. Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless LensCulture, its officers, directors, employees, and affiliates from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from Your Content, your use of the Services, or your violation of these Terms.
13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict of laws principles. Any disputes will be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Alameda County, California.
14. Contact Us
For questions about these Terms, please contact us at: info@lensculture.com
Last Updated: August 2025
LensCulture, Inc. ("LensCulture," "we," "our," or "us") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect information when you use our website and services (collectively, the "Services"). It also explains your rights and choices under applicable privacy laws.
By using our Services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of our Services.
1. Information We Collect
We collect information from and about you in several ways:
Information you provide to us:
- Account details such as your name, email address, and password
- Profile information such as biography, location, or portfolio content you upload
- Payment and billing details when you purchase a subscription or enter a competition
- Communications you send to us, including support requests or feedback
Information we collect automatically:
- Log data such as your IP address, browser type, device information, and pages visited
- Usage data such as how you interact with our Services
- Cookies and similar technologies (see our Cookie Policy)
Information from third parties:
- Data from payment processors
- Publicly available information
- Information from marketing and analytics partners, if you have consented
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Provide and maintain our Services
- Manage your account and process transactions
- Publish your submitted work in accordance with our Terms of Use
- Communicate with you, including sending service updates and promotional messages (if permitted)
- Improve, personalize, and secure our Services
- Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Use
3. Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR/UK GDPR)
If you are in the European Economic Area or the UK, we process your personal information on the following legal bases:
- Contract: To provide the Services you request
- Consent: Where required for activities like marketing or certain analytics
- Legitimate interests: To operate, improve, and secure our Services
- Legal obligations: To comply with applicable law or respond to lawful requests
4. How We Share Your Information
We may share your information with:
- Service providers who help us operate the Services (e.g., hosting, payment processing, analytics)
- Business partners and affiliates, but only in connection with the Services you use
- Authorities or other parties when required by law or to protect our legal rights
- Other users, if you choose to publish Your Content publicly through our Services
We do not sell your personal information.
5. International Data Transfers
We operate from the United States and may transfer your information to countries outside your home jurisdiction. Where required, we use safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses to protect your data.
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to provide our Services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law.
7. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
- Access, correct, or delete your personal information
- Withdraw consent where we rely on consent
- Object to or restrict certain processing
- Receive your data in a portable format
- Opt out of the "sale" or "sharing" of personal information (California residents)
You can exercise these rights by contacting us at info@lensculture.com. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.
8. Security
We take reasonable measures to protect your information from loss, theft, misuse, and unauthorized access. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.
9. Third-Party Services and Links
Our Services may contain links to third-party websites or integrate third-party services. We are not responsible for their privacy practices or content.
10. Children's Privacy
Our Services are not directed to children under 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If we learn that we have collected such information, we will delete it.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be posted on our website with a "Last Updated" date.
12. Contact Us
For questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact: info@lensculture.com
LensCulture ("LensCulture") respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects its users to do the same. It is LensCulture's policy, in appropriate circumstances and at its discretion, to disable and/or terminate the accounts of users who repeatedly infringe or are repeatedly charged with infringing the copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights of others.
In accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, the text of which may be found on the U.S. Copyright Office website at http://www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf, LensCulture will respond expeditiously to claims of copyright infringement committed using the LensCulture website (the "Site") that are reported to LensCulture's Designated Copyright Agent, identified in the sample notice below.
If you are a copyright owner, or are authorized to act on behalf of one, or authorized to act under any exclusive right under copyright, please report alleged copyright infringements taking place on or through the Site by completing the following DMCA Notice of Alleged Infringement and delivering it to LensCulture's Designated Copyright Agent. Upon receipt of the Notice as described below, LensCulture will take whatever action, in its sole discretion, it deems appropriate, including removal of the challenged material from the Site. DMCA Notice of Alleged Infringement ("Notice").
Filing a DMCA Notice
- Identify the copyrighted work that you claim has been infringed, or - if multiple copyrighted works are covered by this Notice - you may provide a representative list of the copyrighted works that you claim have been infringed.
- Identify (i) the material that you claim is infringing (or to be the subject of infringing activity) and that is to be removed or access to which is to be disabled, and information reasonably sufficient to permit us to locate the material, including at a minimum, if applicable, the URL of the link shown on the Site where such material may be found, and (ii) the reference or link, to the material or activity that you claim to be infringing, that is to be removed or access to which is to be disabled, and information reasonably sufficient to permit us to locate that reference or link, including at a minimum, if applicable, the URL of the link shown on the Site where such reference or link may be found.
- Provide your mailing address, telephone number, and, if available, email address.
- Include both of the following statements in the body of the Notice:
- "I hereby state that I have a good faith belief that the disputed use of the copyrighted material or reference or link to such material is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law (e.g., as a fair use)."
- "I hereby state that the information in this Notice is accurate and, under penalty of perjury, that I am the owner, or authorized to act on behalf of the owner, of the copyright or of an exclusive right under the copyright that is allegedly infringed."
- Provide your full legal name and your electronic or physical signature.
Deliver this Notice, with all items completed, to LensCulture's Designated Copyright Agent at help@LensCulture.com.
What if I receive a Copyright Complaint (DMCA) notification?
If you receive a notification that a post has been removed due a copyright complaint, it means that the post's content has been deleted from LensCulture at the request of the content's owner. If your account receives too many copyright complaints, you may lose the ability to post new content on LensCulture, and your account may be disabled completely.
If you believe a post was removed in error, you have the option to file a counter-notice by following the steps below. When we receive a valid counter-notice, we will forward a copy to the person who filed the original complaint. If we do not receive notice within 10 business days that the submitter of the original complaint is seeking a court order to prevent further infringement of the content at issue, we will remove the complaint from your account's record, and we may replace the content that was removed.
Note: There are legal and financial consequences for fraudulent and/or bad faith submissions. Before submitting a counter-notice, be sure that you are the actual rights holder of the removed content or that you have a good faith belief that the material was removed in error, and understand the repercussions of submitting a false claim.
How to File a Counter-Notice
- Email your counter-notice to help@lensculture.com.
- Include ALL of the following:
- Your name, address, and telephone number.
- DMCA ID printed at the bottom of the notification email.
- The source address of the content that was removed (copy and paste the link in the notification email).
- A statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good faith belief that the content was removed in error.
- A statement that you consent to the jurisdiction of Federal District Court for the judicial district in which the address is located, or if your address is outside of the United States, for any judicial district in which LensCulture may be found, and that you will accept service of process from the person who provided the original complaint under subsection (c)(1)(C) or an agent of such person.
- A physical or electronic signature (for example, typing your full name).
Trademark
LensCulture respects the trademark rights of others. Accounts with usernames or any other content that misleads others or violates another's trademark may be updated, transferred or permanently suspended.
If you are concerned that someone may be using your trademark in an infringing way on our site you can let us know at help@lensculture.com. LensCulture will review your submission and take whatever action, in its sole discretion, it deems appropriate.