Complaint Review: Joseph Michael Photography

I didn't see his response until now because I would have gladly responded to it sooner.

I want to make a few things clear and then I am done here.

# 1- MY best friends did not book him.  My best friends sister did and so did her friend.  My BEST friend is utilizing another Photographer for her wedding based on her preferences.  I have known his niece since I was a little girl.  The people who booked him are very close friends of his family.  I have known his family for many years but we are not that close.  I did not find out about my cousin having issues with him until AFTER I booked him and figured it was just a misunderstanding apparently I was wrong.  I have documentation when the court day comes around to prove otherwise.

# 2- I wrote out the paperwork to take him to court.  I have not received 1 thing in the mail telling me he is suing me so this is all new news to me.  I filled out, paid for, and mailed the paperwork into the court system.  The courts have my address due to this so I'm curious?  Where is his law suit?

# 3- He is stating that the websites that I wrote about him on closed the cases based on unsupported information on my part.  That is completely inaccurate.  The ones that were closed because WE could not reach an agreement are below BUT they do stay on his record for 6 years.

BBB:

The parties could not provide sufficient information to support their
positions nor were they agreeable to make reasonable efforts toward
resolving the issues of the dispute (1 complaint)

Consumer Affairs:

They do not post on their website I actually had to send a letter in writing to them.  The woman was very nice and said that she spoke to him numerous times and it is only her job to try to find a resolution to help the CONSUMER.  She told me to take him to court and sue him.

Wedding Wire:

I had to go through a whole process with them because they do not allow you to write a review until they confirm its accuracy.  After reviewing they went in my favor and posted it.  You can see it at the Link Below:

http://www.weddingwire.com/reviews/joseph-michael-photography-long-island-florida-california/ec7f20e626a89a9d.html

# 4- The pictures he is claiming I copyrighted were provided to me on a disc from him on my wedding day.  The amount due for the pictures is not in question the videography is.  And according to him one has nothing to do with another in numerous emails he has sent me.

I am done until the court date.  This has caused me enough aggravation

The bottom line is this bride still owes $1800.00 + tax for her video which she got in full and all her proofs.  My contract states clearly that the balance is due when products are delivered.  She happens to be my nieces good friend, so I let her take the product and she stated she would mail me a check.  Well she didn't.  She is trying to get something for nothing and she is writing all these complaints.  She complaining that I am the worst but...2 of her best friends recently just hired me to do their weddings next summer 2012 and she hired me a year after her cousins wedding.  Go figure.......She mentions that she paid 7K but she doesn't mention that she ordered 5 albums (1 b/G and 4 parents' albums) I have been in business for over 15 years and not one complaint until this bride.  Yes she did complain to BBB and I answered the complaint and showed all the paperwork, emails (that she degrades me and curses in the emails), contracts, facebook posts, etc.   BBB HAS CLOSED THE COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE PAPERWORK PROVED HER WRONG.  Also, Consumer Affairs she contacted and they also have closed the account and states legal action is being taken.  I have stopped production on her other items until she pays balance due.  I offered to work with her but she refuses.   I didn't want to go to court but she
gave me no other choice.  She is upset because she is being sued for the balance and copyright infringement.  She states to me that she is using the photos and scanning them to produce an album. (And I have this in writing that she is doing this and I have proof that they are all over the internet). This has been reported to PPA (professional photographers of America) because of copyright infringement.   It's all in black and white.  She is now just writing anything she can and anywhere she can.  She knows she's wrong and all she has to do is pay the balance and we can proceed.  All other
complaints that she has filed have been thrown out when the company received all the paper work and investigated.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of these sites that let anyone complain even if they are in the wrong without really checking the truth of the story.  They only thing that one can do, the victim, is to respond to these false accusations. 

Unfortunately, we are going to court and nobody likes going to court but this is what has to happen.  Even Consumer Affairs explained and  I know the economy is affecting everyone in a different way but this is just not called for.

Please do all your homework and look at all the complaints on the internet.  Everyone is from this bride and since BBB, Consumer Affairs & other complaint companies have thrown out, closed or state that legal action is taking place.  She will try anything and write anything!!!!

And anyone is more then welcome to contact me and I would be more then happy to email or show you all the paperwork to prove this complaint is a false accusation.

THE TRUTH WILL PREVAIL!
Thank You..........Joseph Michael