Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

Tracy&Brian Posted: Jun 28, 2006 11:28 AM

Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

Back in October, I won a contest at one of the bridal shows and my prize was a free engagement shoot with a reputable photographer. (I am not going to name names).

We finally did our engagement shoot on June 4. For the following reasons, I felt that I did not need to tip the photographer:
1. It was a prize.
2. This photographer owns their own business.
3. This photographer constantly made me feel that I was a nusiance for trying to get this engagement shoot done. As if they were disappointed that I did not hire them and therefore I was wasting thier time. Would only do the shoot by them and constantly was trying to schedule me around their paying customers.

When we were saying goodbye after the shoot, the photographer held out their hand as if I would be handing them a tip and I just shook their hand and thanked them. They looked pretty pissed about it.

Now it has been almost 4 weeks since the shoot and this photographer has not provided me with proofs for my pictures. I emailed them 3 times asking when I should expect the proofs. The first response was 2 weeks. I never received a reply after that.

I called them at the beginning of this week and the photographer seemed extremely ticked off that I was bothering them and told me that it takes 3 weeks to get the proofs. When I told them it had been more than 3 weeks, they barked at me that I would just have to wait.

I dont know if I am ever going to see these proofs. I only get one free picture, but I was planning on purchasing a bunch from this photographer, so its not like I wasnt going to be spending money with them.

I guess nothing in life is FREE.

How should I proceed from this point? I think my pics are being held hostage because I didnt tip the photographer.

JandJ1224 Posted: Jun 28, 2006 11:31 AM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

That is crazy!! I would definitely say the name of the stuido that is messing with you. THe best action you can take is to warn people!!

suven Posted: Jun 28, 2006 11:32 AM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

That's tough. I'd call again and say 'we were planning on PURCHASING quite a few prints for everyone in my family. But, they are nagging me for a picture, so if I don't hear from you soon, I guess I'll have to go elsewhere to get pictures that I can PURCHASE'

RadioLau Posted: Jun 28, 2006 11:33 AM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

I would mention it to the host of the bridal show you won it at. That is not good business.

patticakes Posted: Jun 28, 2006 11:36 AM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

Posted by suven

That's tough. I'd call again and say 'we were planning on PURCHASING quite a few prints for everyone in my family. But, they are nagging me for a picture, so if I don't hear from you soon, I guess I'll have to go elsewhere to get pictures that I can PURCHASE'

I agree. I would warn the people you won it from to not do business with them. That's terrible....I'm sorry.

Tracy&Brian Posted: Jun 28, 2006 11:43 AM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

I dont know if this vendor reads these boards and I dont want to put their name up here. I am sure I would NEVER receive my proofs if I put their name on here. I think I might still have a chance of getting them.

I really want these pics and I dont know what to say to the photographer at this point to convince them to give them to me.

Tracy&Brian Posted: Jun 28, 2006 11:44 AM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

Posted by RadioLau

I would mention it to the host of the bridal show you won it at. That is not good business.

The host of the bridal show is actually a gigantic flake. She screwed a LOT of vendors at her last show and probably wont be hosting any future shows.

soon2bcopswife Posted: Jun 28, 2006 11:45 AM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

Posted by Tracy&Brian

Posted by RadioLau

I would mention it to the host of the bridal show you won it at. That is not good business.

The host of the bridal show is actually a gigantic flake. She screwed a LOT of vendors at her last show and probably wont be hosting any future shows.

You might be feeling the reprecussions for her being a gigantic flake now. I think you should call again and stress that you are ready to order and spend some serious money.

Katie&Chris2006 Posted: Jun 28, 2006 11:46 AM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

That's crazy. I tried to tip my photographer at my epics and he wouldn't take the money. I hope everything works out!

LaurenluvsTJ Posted: Jun 28, 2006 11:56 AM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

Tell him you are going elsewhere for you engagement pictures and will buy copies for you and your family from somewhere else.
Don't bother with this creep.

Bridex100 Posted: Jun 28, 2006 11:59 AM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

I do think you should have tipped the photographer but it is ridiculous for them not to give you your pictures!

Bridex100 Posted: Jun 28, 2006 12:00 PM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

Yes, you should call up the host who gave you the prize.

Tracy&Brian Posted: Jun 28, 2006 12:05 PM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

Posted by LaurenluvsTJ

Tell him you are going elsewhere for you engagement pictures and will buy copies for you and your family from somewhere else.
Don't bother with this creep.

I cant go elsewhere, my wedding is 2 months away! Plus we agreed to do the engagement shoot only because it was FREE. We dont want to spend another $500.00 this close to the wedding. We dont have the budget for it.

frosty Posted: Jun 28, 2006 12:27 PM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

Posted by Tracy&Brian

I cant go elsewhere, my wedding is 2 months away! Plus we agreed to do the engagement shoot only because it was FREE. We dont want to spend another $500.00 this close to the wedding. We dont have the budget for it.

You can just TELL him you are going somewhere else. Frankly, at this point, I'd have a friend take some nice shots of you and your FH and use those instead.

We never did engagement pictures at all.

SeptBride70 Posted: Jun 28, 2006 12:29 PM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

Posted by Katie&Chris2006

That's crazy. I tried to tip my photographer at my epics and he wouldn't take the money. I hope everything works out!

aww katie!! gary is the best!! that's what a normal business owner does. my FFIL would NEVER, ever accept a tip at his car wash!

i'm so sorry i would contact them and let them know you will contact the contest host or BBB.

KandE917 Posted: Jun 28, 2006 12:33 PM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

I never even thought about tipping for engagement photos.....do most of you do this? I haven't even scheduled mine yet but I need to know for when I do. It's just something I would have never thought of...oops!

sr081906 Posted: Jun 28, 2006 12:34 PM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

I would send them a letter (certified mail) reminding them that you won the contest and you are not sure why the have not their part of the bargain.

That if you cannot come to a resolution you would have to take further action. I suggest the DA of your county. The BBB does not do anything.

Tracy&Brian Posted: Jun 28, 2006 12:39 PM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

Posted by sr081906

I would send them a letter (certified mail) reminding them that you won the contest and you are not sure why the have not their part of the bargain.

That if you cannot come to a resolution you would have to take further action. I suggest the DA of your county. The BBB does not do anything.

I doubt i have any legal protection here. No money was exchanged and they never handed me anything in writing that explained what I won. I just have been email communicating with them the whole time and I have saved them all. If I never receive my pics, I am DEFINATELY going to reveal their name and blast them up and down these boards. That's all I think I can do here.

LImama Posted: Jun 28, 2006 01:24 PM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

You may not have exchanged $$ with him or signed a contract, but I'll bet there was some agreement involved regarding the advertising he received at the bridal show in exchange for the 'free' prize. Someone should go after this person, how unprofessional!

Good luck, I hope you get your pictures!

sr081906 Posted: Jun 28, 2006 01:28 PM

Re: Help- my e-pics are being held hostage-what would you do?

Posted by LImama

You may not have exchanged $$ with him or signed a contract, but I'll bet there was some agreement involved regarding the advertising he received at the bridal show in exchange for the 'free' prize. Someone should go after this person, how unprofessional!

Good luck, I hope you get your pictures!

Exactly! You won a prize. That's the contract!.