Laretta Houston Photography: Bad Business & Malicious Tactics Towards Models - Page 2 - MyModelTalk Free Casting Calls for Models and Actors!

tashaford · 07-25-2009, 12:50 PM

I've been a professional model for nearly half my life. At this advanced point of my career I regret working with Laretta houston Photography as a very poor choice in hindsight.

In May, I hired her for a shoot that was approximately $650. This shoot included makeup, hair, apparel and 4 looks. The shoot was in May and now with August around the corner Laretta Houston Photography refuses to turn over the work she was hired to do.

She disseminated my photos for commercial purposes; which are being used to sell the apparel I'm wearing in the shoot I hired her for. After I paid her and requested my photos she demanded I sign a model release. Remember, I hired her. Of course I politely declined to sign, however; she refused to give me the images until I sign a release that would give her legal cover for actions already done without my permission. It would also give her the right to sell the images indefinitely without my consultation or compensation!

This release would give me little or no room to use these images for my own benefit; which is the reason I hired www.larettahouston.com. I've tried to resolve this, but Laretta has been unrelenting in her demands for rights which I will not relinquish at this point.

Since trying to resolve this privately and professionally, I have had to deal with name calling and unrealistic slander on public forums like facebook.

To all models and future clients, I would seriously suggest you reconsider working with a photographer that is known to be bullish with talent and factually known not turn over the artistic images they are hired to create. I would hate to have what has happen to me to happen to you or anyone else.

I have since sent a complaint to the Better Business Bureau (which was accepted), and had a cease & desist letter sent by certified mail Laretta from my attorney. I plan to send a cease and desist letter to the boutique selling their product with my images I paid for and never received.

Below I have attached a few documents:
1. Breach of contract
2. Screenshot of the images being used commercially without authorization in Atlanta.
3. Model release form that Laretta asked me to sign after the shoot was over and wrapped. This should have been mentioned in negotiations with her. If it had she would not have been hired and she would not have been paid $650.00.

Example 1:
Cease & desist letter sent to Laretta Houston Photgraphy by my legal counsel.

Example 2:
Images I hired Laretta Houston Photography to shoot are being used for commercial purposes without authorization online and offline in an Atlanta boutique!

austinmodelsandtalent · 09-02-2009, 01:21 PM

A model release is not always necessary for displaying examples of your work as a photographer. This may vary state by state, but I will say that when I shoot with models/actors, I never obtain a model release and I absolutely FORBID any of our represented talent from signing a release of any kind at a TFP, Test Shoot, or Paid shoot (where the model/talent is paying). Models signing TFP releases, I just am not sure what it is that they are thinking.

mykkal · 09-02-2009, 06:03 PM

Well I don't know Laretta honestly to make a judgement but i did hear of a recent situation where a model was advised not to shoot with her because of her model release.

Some photographers and clients purposely spring model releases and other legal language on talent the day of the shoot. That's unfair because it doesn't give them proper time to vet the verbage and it puts them in a position where they aren't able to work unless they sign it.

That stuff needs to be sent in advance and most of the agencies here require the contract & model release before a shoot is agreed too. But Georgia isn't regulated so any talent without representation isn't protected from these kind of tactics.

tashaford · 09-03-2009, 12:46 PM

Nope, unfortunately, she still has not given me my photos. This has been the worse experience I've ever had. I wish this on no one. The learning lesson for me is 1. Ask if there is a model release involved. 1b. If so, ask to see it via email before you pay any deposits. 2. Have your own release and send it before the shoot and get it signed and returned before you pay any deposits. 3. Do your research with some of the models you see in the photographers port. 4. Post on the model site forums area, you located the photographer on, that you are doing a reference check before you shoot with this particular photographer. Ask the was like shoot with the photographer. Offer an option to email you discreetly about their experience.

Although there are many good photographers. Its experiences like these that give the goods a hard way to go.

austinmodelsandtalent · 09-03-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tashaford

1. Ask if there is a model release involved. 1b. If so, ask to see it via email before you pay any deposits. 2. Have your own release and send it before the shoot and get it signed and returned before you pay any deposits.

Question:
Why would any model sign a model release to a photographer when they are paying the photographer? What on Earth would you be releasing your images to the photographer for? YOU ARE PAYING THEM. It is different if you are being hired and paid by a client and they require a release for publication of the image (in which case the release should spell out the exact use with terms, including how long it will be used). Models paying a photographer, or shooting tests or TFP should NEVER EVER sign a release to a photographer. That simply makes little business sense at all. Professional models with agents are generally forbid from signing these things (agreements and releases are handled through agents, not through the models).

tashaford · 09-03-2009, 04:30 PM

You're 100% right, but they do hit you with these releases, so rather be safe than sorry if these issue should arise. A lot of times photographers feel that they are giving you a discounted rate or deal. If you plan to use the images for commercial use, yourself,then they have a commercial rates. Some photographers are a little flexible. I noticed once I started building a resume and making a name for myself, more and more photographers began to give me limited useage, because they know 9 times out of 10 that if they shoot you and you're a go getter and find a way to market the image and get it published, they want you to come back to them with money to let you use the image. Sometimes they go so far as to request to speak to your contact (one they would not have had if it weren't for the collab) and see what they can squeeze out of it for themselves.

Its a tricky business and the only way to protect yourself is to ask questions and cover your hiney. I know I'm paying you but is there a release involved? If so, can I see it so I can make an educated decision before I pay. You don't want some photographer that has an undisclosed agenda holding your pictures you paid for over a release you didn't know about and don't agree with.