AniTakesPhotos
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2014
- Messages
- 17
- Reaction score
- 9
- Location
- Everett, WA
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
Awhile back I booked my first shoot with a professional photographer. I had recently lost 60 lbs and wanted some nice photos for once. A model buddy of mine recommended her friend who had a nice portfolio, so I was pretty excited. It was easily the worst service I've ever received. I actually left the shoot feeling self conscious.
From the beginning he refused to give me eye contact and ignored every question I asked. I know, immediate red flag right? But I didn't want to be rude to a friend of a friend and had l already paid up front for a discount. He would just take off in a random direction without alerting me and gave vague instructions on how and where to pose. When I got it wrong he'd give a loud, long sigh and just start walking again.
After not that many shots he started walking for a very long time. Eventually, we ended up in the parking lot where he literally just got in his car and drove off without saying a word. It took a second to take in what happened, but it was too late. He was gone. I told my friend what happened and she was shocked. She offered to pay me back but I refused since it wasn't her fault. Eventually, it came out that anyone who wasn't an attractive young female got blown off the same way.
Three months later after multiple attempts to contact him I got nothing. I got a free consultation from a lawyer to see what I could do (LegalZoom.com is incredible) and he told me that I could take him to small claims and get my money back plus enough to cover court fees and what not, but that it was a lot of work for little reward. In the interest of not living my life out of spite I decided to let it go.
Well, I just found out that not long after my shoot his house was robbed and all of his photography equipment was stolen along with all of the work he's done since he started, including wedding work he'd yet to deliver. Several of his clients sued him for money he already spent, so his mom had to pay for all of the damages and kicked him out. Apparently, he wasn't insured either and can't replace his gear, so now he works the night shift unloading boxes at a Walmart. Sweet, sweet justice...
If there's one good thing that came out of this though it's that I had such a terrible experience I opted to buy my first camera (a Panasonic LX7) instead of hiring someone else. Turns out the photography community is actually pretty awesome and that this is an incredible hobby to enjoy. :mrgreen:
From the beginning he refused to give me eye contact and ignored every question I asked. I know, immediate red flag right? But I didn't want to be rude to a friend of a friend and had l already paid up front for a discount. He would just take off in a random direction without alerting me and gave vague instructions on how and where to pose. When I got it wrong he'd give a loud, long sigh and just start walking again.
After not that many shots he started walking for a very long time. Eventually, we ended up in the parking lot where he literally just got in his car and drove off without saying a word. It took a second to take in what happened, but it was too late. He was gone. I told my friend what happened and she was shocked. She offered to pay me back but I refused since it wasn't her fault. Eventually, it came out that anyone who wasn't an attractive young female got blown off the same way.
Three months later after multiple attempts to contact him I got nothing. I got a free consultation from a lawyer to see what I could do (LegalZoom.com is incredible) and he told me that I could take him to small claims and get my money back plus enough to cover court fees and what not, but that it was a lot of work for little reward. In the interest of not living my life out of spite I decided to let it go.
Well, I just found out that not long after my shoot his house was robbed and all of his photography equipment was stolen along with all of the work he's done since he started, including wedding work he'd yet to deliver. Several of his clients sued him for money he already spent, so his mom had to pay for all of the damages and kicked him out. Apparently, he wasn't insured either and can't replace his gear, so now he works the night shift unloading boxes at a Walmart. Sweet, sweet justice...
If there's one good thing that came out of this though it's that I had such a terrible experience I opted to buy my first camera (a Panasonic LX7) instead of hiring someone else. Turns out the photography community is actually pretty awesome and that this is an incredible hobby to enjoy. :mrgreen:
![[No title]](/data/xfmg/thumbnail/32/32005-d13a0bcc56327c42bd32dff4b0776658.jpg?1734160798)
