Complaint Review: Todd A. Olson Photography

We recently hired Todd Olson last fall 2011 to do our wedding pictures.  Upon our first meeting we had a verbal quote of $1,900.00.  He informed us that he needed a new roof which is what my profession is so we agreed to swap services and the difference he would pay.  My estimate was for $4,600.00.  This was to cover material and labor for the roof, no profit.  We never got a written proposal from Todd and everytime we asked for one he avoided it with "oh i'm going to owe you money so dont worry." 

Upon completing the roof I asked Todd to get me his invoice for the pictures so I could send out an invoice for the difference.  After weeks of waiting he sent me an email saying our total for the pictures came to $4,100.00! 

He then sent out a check for $500.00 the difference between our estimate and his estimate that he just pulled out of a hat so he wouldn't have to pay us much.  I have tried contacting Todd several times through email and phone and no response.  He will not give us a detailed summary of why our picture package was that expensive.

I've since called several other photographers and they cannot believe the price of $4,100.00 for what was included.  Im not a brain surgeon but I can also figure out that a good sized roof with material and labor of 7 guys is nowhere near a comparison for one guy with a camera for five hours at a wedding and some editing is. 

If you do decide to use this unprofessional, deceptive photographer I highly recommend getting a written contract in place with him and NOT paying any money until you are satisfied.