Wedding Photographer Scam

So here's my post venting frustration, disappointment, and confusion. I've always known that I was perhaps a little too trusting of people. But there are times when you truly could not possibly know the person that sits behind the mask. Case in point: our wedding photographer.

Orlando Copeland returned my inquiry regarding a wedding photographer back in February of '06. I was completely blown away when I learned, that after viewing Ricky's website, he and his wife wanted to give us their platinum package for the price of the one over a $1000 cheaper. In addition, they wanted to do our engagement pictures - completely free of charge. When I remarked that he did not even know me, he simply replied that they really wanted to bless us on our wedding day... since they had been blessed by my story.

I loved the work that I saw on his website... so I very quickly knew that I had found our guy. We received our engagement pictures and were thrilled with the job he did. Fast forward to our wedding day. He and another photographer were in my home taking pictures of me getting ready when he overheard that I would be singing as a surprise to Eric during the ceremony. Without my knowing, Orlando had made a call... offered a guy and extra $100 bucks... and got a videographer to show up to tape the entire thing.

We were blown away - and thrilled to say the least.

And then it all changed. Sept. 16th we were supposed to have all of our pictures and there was nothing. I started calling a few days later... and finally did hear back from him that he had been ill. He stated they were "working on them"... and would be done in the week. Right.

By the end of November... my album was finally viewable online. However we had absolutely nothing in our possession. I left voice messages and emails... and at times it would be two weeks before I got a response. He was always "ill"... and always "working on it". By February it was almost impossible to get a hold of him and his voice mail box was permanently full. My "compassion" finally wore off and I finally demanded either my money or my pictures back. (Despite our discount... I had payed him $4000!!!). Within a week I got a message stating that our pictures on CD were in the mail along with the promised IPods also with pics downloaded on them... and the video.) We were beyond relieved to get SOMETHING. But I was still waiting for the beautiful album - the entire reason I had wanted to go with him in the first place!

That all happened Feb. 16th of this year... and that was the last time I heard from him. We have celebrated our one year anniversary already and I am out $4000 with really very little to show for it. Recently... after much Internet research... I stumbled across the other couples that I was sure existed out there. The ones who had been "screwed over" (for lack of a better term), in the same way that we were. There are so far 12 of us. We are all waiting on our albums. Many of them have less then we do. 2 of the couples have yet to even have their wedding! They were told that all the money had to be paid upfront (months before), which was not at all what we had to do... we only had to pay it all 2 weeks before the wedding. They have paid him thousands and have not heard from him since. They obviously don't believe he will even show up at their weddings and have had to find another.

Last night one of the couples did and interview with Fox News Chicago. You can view it here. (That link doesn't exactly work so just type "wedding photographer" in the search bar and the first result will be the correct link.) They were really disappointed by how much was edited... but maybe at least it will stop others from falling into the same trap. One of the couples did their own investigating and found that their $3000 check was cashed at a bank over 20 miles from the home that they run their business from on a Friday night. That bank happens to be just 2 miles from a casino. Now we're wondering if this so-called "illness" could be a gambling addiction.

Now that I've found all these couples... we're hoping that somehow strength in numbers may somehow help us find some resolution. I really just want my wedding album. It means a great deal to me... and honestly I don't want the money back. Obviously chances are... he doesn't have the money anymore anyway. So if anyone has any ideas as to how we might go about this we're open. We have all contacted the BBB. He has 14 complaints against him there and he has ignored every single contact the BBB has tried to make with him. We're all now speaking to the Attorney Generals office... maybe that will help, I don't know. It's really frustrating to feel like a contract means absolutely nothing. The idea of a lawsuit is possible... but we really don't want to invest any more money then we already have...

It's really just sad to realize that someone you first thought was such a wonderful, giving person... could do something like this. I feel kind of violated, to be honest. Especially when he used Ricky's story to reel me in. I really don't think we would have seen it coming no matter what. The guys reputation was flawless right up until our wedding. Literally. All these couple except for one were married after us. Plenty of them went to Orlando because they were referred to him by others who had been very happy with his services.

So there you have it. Whatever you do... if you're in the market for a wedding photographer... even thought their pictures are beautiful... do NOT use Copeland Wedding Photography! We're mad. But we're not giving up!

Don't MESS with people's wedding pictures!!!

**On a better note... the Colts are maintaining a PERFECT record this season! 1-0! It doesn't get any better than that!! (except maybe 2-0)...**