Complaint Review: Spotlight Studios Inc. - Highland Indiana

Hello all, I used to know Sam and can tell you that up until 2002 he did most of his photo-processing at Sam's Club in Calumet City/Lansing, IL. I hope this helps in locating your pictures (although not sure how long they keep unclaimed photos). I also had the impression that Sam used "novice" photographers that he probably enlisted from family and friends. I would not recommend anyone to use is services. Best of luck in locating your pictures and albums.

CJ - Thank you for your response. Do you happen to have an address where Master Photographer Elements is located?

And Can Be Reached At 312-804-4996. Thank You All For Your Comments. He Claimed He Had 10 Years Experience. I Appreciate People Like All Of You For Posting Your Experiences. I Won't Be Using Mr. Shoshoo Thanks To All Of You. I'm Sorry For All You Have Been Through. SINCERELY, A Concerned Father

Barbara, For what it's worth, I did all the checking on Sam. Nothing came up with the BBB and I could not locate anything online. I completely understand where you are coming from. Last I knew, Sam resided in Orland Park. I was lucky enough to locate my pics at a processing company in Chicago....however; once I found them I did have to pay the processing company. Good Luck!

I have been ripped-off by Spotlight Studios. I should have checked out the background of this person first. I could have checked online for negative feedback or with better business bureau. Most of his customers have not received their photographs. He closed his shop in Indiana and never settled ongoing cases. (He was also selling "gourmet" meats as well.) Many people such as myself paid for the sitting fees, proofs etc and was told the "lab he sent them to refuses to send the prints" BECAUSE HE NEVER PAID THE LAB TO PROCESS THEM. HE KEPT ALL MONEY PAID TO HIM.

Amy, our e-mail addresses have been deleted each time we try to post. Try to reach my [DELETED] by posting below [Place your comments below and be sure to include your FULL contact information so Rip-off Report can contact you.]

Hi this is Amy and I know you posted a request to e-mail you regarding finding my pictures but the e-mail was deleted by the web site my e-mail is [DELETED] I hope I will here form you or find a way to contact you regarding teh pictures. I have lost two grandparents and my father is now ill, I would like him to have a faimily picture from my wedding. Sam already took that from my grandparents. he has caused nothing but grief for me Amy

Please e-mail me at [DELETED] and I can provide the information on where I located my pics.

I am responding to the message regarding Jen Griffith had posted. If you know anyone I did not get my pictures either. My Wedding was in 2000 and Sam had many promises and of course lies. He is definitely a fraud. I also know another girl In my area with the same problem. If anyone can give information on how to get pictures, please help

UUUmmm, excuse me....how can you consider Spotlight Studios professional? We received nothing but lies from Sam and his staff. I'm not going to bore you with our experience because anything else I have read and anyone else I have spoken to have all had the same miserable experience we encountered. What kind of reputable company requires you to pay for your pictures prior to the event and never produces a finished product and then closes their doors? I literally had to call every processing company in the area to locate my pictures. Once I found them, I AGAIN had to pay for them. Not to mention when I named the company who shot the pictures, I received nothing but sympathy - appearantly Sam doesn't pay them either. Every processing company I spoke with had boxes and boxes or pictures sitting there that Spotlight had taken over 2 years ago! What kind of reputable company sends the secretary to photograph the event? For what we paid, the pictures were horrible - I would have done better by shooting my own pictures. I'm sorry, but I cannot agree with your statement, "....and also know he had health issues which i am sure affected why his business had to close down. When you are in a private studio business and cannot be there all the time to run your business, of course it is going to experience downfall..." or, "Companies go bankrupt all the time, that is not a crime." To those of use who did not get the final, contracted product it is a crime. Sam's second filing of bankruptcy (first Chapter 11 and now Chapter 13 because the first was denied) in my opinion is no excuse to "rob" the clients he once had. To this day, I still do not have the albums we paid for nor the court settlement Sam was ordered to pay us. For those of you who may have gotten your pictures and were happy with them, count your lucky stars. I'm sure the number of people who are not in your shoes far out weigh those who are. If anyone is looking for any pictures Spotlight Studios may have taken, please feel free to contact me at this report - I have a few contacts that may be able to help. I hope you don't run your business as Sam does (currently in Chicago).

Mr. Shoshoo photographed my wedding and the experience was wonderful. My photos turned out great, and we were happy with the performance at the wedding. Companies go bankrupt all the time, that is not a crime. Look what is happening with United. It is unfortunate, but the case in certain situations. I know of many others who were happy with his services, and also know he had health issues which i am sure affected why his business had to close down. When you are in a private studio business and cannot be there all the time to run your business, of course it is going to experience downfall...i am a business owner myself, i understand this. Him having a health problem should not give way to others to contine to bring him down when he is back on track. This complaint just sounds bitter. Mr. Shoshoo also clearly states in his brochures he uses 35mm cameras and film, so i am not sure why it states that he is unprofessional when he advertises he does so.

If you are in Chicago, Il., beware of Samuel Shoshoo's new business name- Main Exposure. Yes, he is at it again. Not only has he moved out of the state to avoid the numerous cliets he has KNOWINGLY and INTENTIONALLY deceived, he has filed bankruptcy. Mr. Shoshoo has no intentions of making good on his promises to anyone. Look up his new website [email protected] New address 700 W. Van Buren Suite 605, Chicago, Il