Complaint Review: Prime Elegance Michelle Reisland - Durham North Carolina

Please contact:  attorney (((Redacted))) THANK YOU.

To all the ladies that where rip off by Michelle Riesland my son has filed a custody suet against her. We would appreciate if anyone of you that would be willing to testify as to her character in the case. If you think what she did to you was bad, the things she has done to him would give you nightmares.

Please contact:  attorney (((Redacted))) THANK YOU.

My story is too long to write out here, but I also made the mistake of hiring Michelle to take or pictures for our August 2009 wedding.  I had the same difficulty scheduling both our engagement and my bridal sessions, but she did ultimately take the pictures, although they weren't anything to write home about.  My husband and I really tried to give her the benefit of the doubt, but she really screwed us on the wedding photos and we have yet to receive our wedding album.  She hasn't responded to any of my e-mail communications since October.

I asked her to come to the church prior to the wedding to check the lighting and make sure her camera and flash (a non-professional grade which we discovered during our other sessions) would be adequate due to the low lighting.  She never came to the church and, the day before our wedding, she e-mailed me and said she couldn't take the pictures for our wedding, but would send one of two really good employees she had on staff.  She said they had both worked with her for years.  The morning of the wedding, two people showed up looking very confused as to who was supposed to be there.  After getting a hold of Michelle, the gentleman left and the woman stayed.  She took several pictures of me getting ready, shot the rest of the wedding and reception and seemed to really be trying to get good shots.

I will leave the story at that because I'm not sure what action will be taken from this point forward, but would like to know if the person pursuing her case in small claims court was successful.  I also spoke to an attorney who said we were definitely defrauded and should request refund of 100% of our money.  I would appreciate any information anyone who has worked with this woman can provide and, if Michelle Riesland is still taking pictures, caution anyone considering hiring her to keep looking.  I can sympathize with any TRUE hardship (there were countless excuses for not doing her job) she has experienced, but that does not justify her ruining our special day.  We can never recapture those moments.

My story is too long to write out here, but I also made the mistake of hiring Michelle to take or pictures for our August 2009 wedding.  I had the same difficulty scheduling both our engagement and my bridal sessions, but she did ultimately take the pictures, although they weren't anything to write home about.  My husband and I really tried to give her the benefit of the doubt, but she really screwed us on the wedding photos and we have yet to receive our wedding album.  She hasn't responded to any of my e-mail communications since October.

I asked her to come to the church prior to the wedding to check the lighting and make sure her camera and flash (a non-professional grade which we discovered during our other sessions) would be adequate due to the low lighting.  She never came to the church and, the day before our wedding, she e-mailed me and said she couldn't take the pictures for our wedding, but would send one of two really good employees she had on staff.  She said they had both worked with her for years.  The morning of the wedding, two people showed up looking very confused as to who was supposed to be there.  After getting a hold of Michelle, the gentleman left and the woman stayed.  She took several pictures of me getting ready, shot the rest of the wedding and reception and seemed to really be trying to get good shots.

I will leave the story at that because I'm not sure what action will be taken from this point forward, but would like to know if the person pursuing her case in small claims court was successful.  I also spoke to an attorney who said we were definitely defrauded and should request refund of 100% of our money.  I would appreciate any information anyone who has worked with this woman can provide and, if Michelle Riesland is still taking pictures, caution anyone considering hiring her to keep looking.  I can sympathize with any TRUE hardship (there were countless excuses for not doing her job) she has experienced, but that does not justify her ruining our special day.  We can never recapture those moments.

Her new website is www.aneverlastingaffair.com and has a phone number listed.  Good luck!

If it would help any of you who are going to small claims, I have compiled screenshots of her website (did this back around the time most of you were getting screwed, apparently - there's a long backstory). They are shots of images she claims as hers, but are truly the work of other (real) professional photographers. I also have screenshots of the testimonials she used to have on her site - which were also stolen from other photographers' sites. I also have a selection of shots she emailed me of work that I believe is really hers....trust me, you didn't want her to shoot your wedding anyway. My email is photogal1967 "at" gmail "dot" com if you're interested. She perpetuated a fraud on an unsuspecting public and stole from truly talented photographers. If any of you are still looking, I happen to know a couple of very good photographers who are reasonable and may be available. Good luck!

Is she really on facebook!! My God, I wish you the best of luck and keep me posted. Planning a wedding is very stressful. I am so counting down my day..

The attorney general sent me a copy of the letter that they sent her. We will be going to court in Durham, NC and I will keep you posted. B/c of me her rating with BBB is a F now.She is also on facebook and I have copies of all interactions with her. I am getting my money back b/c planning a wedding is way too stressful to have people trying to RIP you off.

I understand completely, My only concern is that I don't have a receipt to show, It will be my word against hers. Are you going to court in Durham,NC? I would love to be there!!! What did the General Attorney mention about her?

well i will be taking her to small claims court in a few weeks. I will not take it as a loss b/c I want my money

I did a little research, this lady is only 21 years old. So her years of experience are very bogus. I only paid of 1/2 which was $180, then to think about she never game me a receipt and got frustrated when I asked for one. I left it alone, but was very mad, I could have used the money towards my new photographer. After I notice her website was gone, she stated it was being updated, As of a month later still no website. She will get what she deserves. Mad bride 2 please take precaution!!

i live in charlotte and paid this woman 300.00 in full. i even have the print out from her website. i contacted the BBB and she didnt respond. her rating is now a F. Please let me know what happens in your case.

Mad Bride 1, Did your situation get resolved? Did you file a police report, etc? I met with her at Starbucks too and have my engagement pictures scheduled with her soon. I have called an attorney who said my only option was to go to small claims court. Do you think you could post her references so I could give them a call? thanks mad Bride 2

Mad Bride 1, Did your situation get resolved? Did you file a police report, etc? I met with her at Starbucks too and have my engagement pictures scheduled with her soon. I have called an attorney who said my only option was to go to small claims court. Do you think you could post her references so I could give them a call? thanks mad Bride 2

Mad Bride 1, Did your situation get resolved? Did you file a police report, etc? I met with her at Starbucks too and have my engagement pictures scheduled with her soon. I have called an attorney who said my only option was to go to small claims court. Do you think you could post her references so I could give them a call? thanks mad Bride 2

this was not a good business deal

this was not a good business deal

this was not a good business deal

this was not a good business deal