Comments on: When Photographers Go to Court

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:19:33 +0000

These shows tend to appeal to people whose IQ is wallowing on the southern side of 50.

By: Sean Leahy

Sean Leahy — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:12:27 +0000

Yeah, I’ve always felt these shows celebrate the lowest common denominator, making a mockery of all people involved, including the viewer (not that I’m opinionated, or anything). But Miz’s point is still valid for any field: Know your craft and your limits, and always CYA with sufficient insurance and signed paperwork.

By: christine

christine — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:27:38 +0000

Those were painful to watch! I’m not sure what’s most cringe-inducing — “professional” photographers who don’t know what an aperture is, bridezillas and their enabling parents, or “impartial” judges who shriek and scold and eye-roll for the cameras…?

By: K. Praslowicz

K. Praslowicz — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:17:10 +0000

Oh yeah. I sometimes get paid to make the ruckus I do at weddings. Young, hip couples seem to appreciate the style. I've only busted out the IR once at a wedding so far. Can see them in this post.

By: Miserere

Miserere — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:56:47 +0000

K., I never ever thought of you as a sharp shooter. Do you use your IR flash at weddings? I think I’ve seen some photos of what could have been wedding receptions, but I always thought you where a wedding crasher, not that someone had actually paid you to be there

By: Miserere

Miserere — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:55:16 +0000

Every day at EtL is a chance to learn something new. Some days you can even learn about Photography!

By: K. Praslowicz

K. Praslowicz — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:50:44 +0000

I never once thought about how these shows actually run. Now I’ve learned something new today! Thanks.

By: K. Praslowicz

K. Praslowicz — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:35:15 +0000

Indeed. I never even take myself 100% serious.

However, the last line is actually the most serious line in my comment. When I get asked to do weddings, I make sure to call myself a reception photographer and use my marketing line of “The photographer who sticks around after the professional has gone home.” I throw in the free alcohol line to let them know that the more the guest let loose and have fun, the better results I’ll get.

Since I’m not looking to make a living off of weddings, I use the question to help pick which clients I’ll work with. Last thing I ever want to be in is a situation where I’m working for someone who things they are getting a budget photographer and are expecting the same type of work as a pro who can fetch several thousand for a shoot. If that were the case, I’d probably end up also having Judge Joe Brown giving me a critique about the sharpness of my negatives.

By: Miserere

Miserere — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:40:57 +0000

The show is a form of binding arbitration, and the plaintiff and defendant are paid to appear on the show. There is a pot of money set aside for each show that gets divided between the two of them, with the winner of the case receiving more by the amount determined by the judge.

In that last case, of the photographer who didn’t want to hand over the wedding photos, he probably ended up getting paid more than the $1,200 he was requesting from the bride. So even though he “lost”, he won

You can read more about how these shows work on the Wikipedia entry for The People’s Court

By: Miserere

Miserere — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:30:12 +0000

Todor, K. has a unique sense of humour, so don’t take him 100% seriously

As for the photographer in the last ruling, it’s a matter of what the law says, and the law says the bride paid for those photos and has a right to them. The photographer had to sue the guy who contracted him, not the bride. He had no type of written contract to stand behind. If he wanted to have a case, he would’ve needed a contract with the bride stating that he would only turn over the photos when Tom (the original photographer) paid him. If he’d had that, signed by the bride, then the judge wouldn’t have been able to give her the photos.

We tend to think laws are just, and they might be, but “justice” and “doing the right thing” do not always overlap.