Crabby Photographers

3rdPlanetPhotography · January 4, 2008

Wow.... Why are some people just harsh.

Recently I was searching online for some documents to post in my personal online forums. Documents like "What to look for in a photographer" and standard documents like that. You see them all over the web and there are plenty to go around.

I found one from a New York photographer posted on her website. It was very well written and was very general. I though boy that would be nice to post in my forums. So because I respect everyone, I sent the lady an email and complimented her on her well written document and asked for permission to re-post her document and link it with credits back to her and her website. I was very nice and it's just the right thing to do.

Well, I recevied an email from her a few hours later that said, "Permission Denied, do NOT use my document or any of my photos".

I simiply wroter her back and again complimented her on her well written document told her that I was in no way asking to use any of her photos ( I guess she thought I was looking to steal her stuff). I told her that's fine, I can write my own document.

Well this morning I get a very harsh email from the lady's husband. He jumped all over me saying that I offened his wife and such and that he's sending my emails to their attorney and that if they find any of their document on my site they will slam me in court and that if I responed to his email then it was going straight to his attorney. :argue

My goodnes what has crawled up some folks rear end? I know everyone is different by their own right but I just want all you fellow photographers to know that I feel we are all a team so keep up the great work all of you do and I'm always willing to help out a fellow photographer. I don't know how it is in other cities but here in St. Louis I know several of the photographers and though considered "competitors" they/we are all good friends, hang out, and will always help each other out when needed.

And finally, I did send a letter of apology to him and his wife as I never intended to insult or offend anyone. I guess email sometimes gives off the wrong flare.

Tommyboy · January 4, 2008

First, I'm sorry that you had that experience. There's all kinds of people out there, and apparently you encountered a couple of nuts. I don't say that they are nuts because they denied you permission, but because of their outlandish reaction.

I think the only thing you did wrong was apologize.

P.S. The only people who threaten to involve their attorneys are people who don't employ attorneys.

3rdPlanetPhotography · January 4, 2008

I really hate to point them out haha... I'm afraid I'll offend them again or even they might be a friend of yours (laugh) and then you'll be offended

http://www.bibiphoto.com/

Andy wrote:

For the entire state of New York I apologize for those jerks :uhoh

Let's see the website

3rdPlanetPhotography · January 4, 2008

You are exactly right! He told me in the email that I better contact my attorney

Well I really don't need an attorney to tell me I did no wrong by communicating via email. Even if I would have told him what area he could stick it in... still legal.

Tommyboy wrote:

First, I'm sorry that you had that experience. There's all kinds of people out there, and apparently you encountered a couple of nuts. I don't say that they are nuts because they denied you permission, but because of their outlandish reaction.

I think the only thing you did wrong was apologize.

P.S. The only people who threaten to involve their attorneys are people who don't employ attorneys.

aktpics · January 4, 2008

You must be mistaken - according to her website: "She is affordable, friendly and unobtrusive."

Andy · January 4, 2008

3rdPlanetPhotography wrote:

You are exactly right! He told me in the email that I better contact my attorney

Hahah!

3rdPlanetPhotography · January 4, 2008

Guess I should have been a customer

aktpics wrote:

You must be mistaken - according to her website: "She is affordable, friendly and unobtrusive."

Andy · January 4, 2008

aktpics wrote:

You must be mistaken - according to her website: "She is affordable, friendly and unobtrusive."

You could write a review if you wish

http://www.weddingreportsny.com/servicedetails.cfm?vendorID=1270&action=writeReview

3rdPlanetPhotography · January 4, 2008

Thanks Andy! I surely would never try to steal anything from anyone as I wouldn't want that to happen to me. On that same note I would be happy to offer any documents I have or create to other photographers. In fact I put all my documents in PDF and place them on my website for whoever wants them (www.3rdplanetphotography.com/documents).

Well what can I say. I really shouldn't let it bother me but it did. One side of me wants to be ugly and rude back but the right thing to do is move on

Thanks for the support! I guess this will count for my counseling for today :ivar

Scott

Andy wrote:

Heh - they're not too far from me, but I don't know them. What can I say, Mean People Suck. Too bad for Bibiana, they go through life thinking that people are out to get them You did nothing wrong, Scott. They are just your typical paranoid people, rather rude, too. Brush it off, and know that most folks would never, ever do what they did.

aktpics · January 4, 2008

Andy wrote:

You could write a review if you wish

http://www.weddingreportsny.com/servicedetails.cfm?vendorID=1270&action=writeReview

Too much trouble - I would have to contact my attorney first

Sam · January 4, 2008

3rdPlanetPhotography wrote:

Thanks Andy! I surely would never try to steal anything from anyone as I wouldn't want that to happen to me. On that same note I would be happy to offer any documents I have or create to other photographers. In fact I put all my documents in PDF and place them on my website for whoever wants them (www.3rdplanetphotography.com/documents).

Well what can I say. I really shouldn't let it bother me but it did. One side of me wants to be ugly and rude back but the right thing to do is move on

Thanks for the support! I guess this will count for my counseling for today :ivar

Scott

Scott,

Suck it up! Take the high road. Don't sink to some mentally deranged state.

Vent here all you like. Venting is healthy! That's what we are here for.

ps: I took a look at her web site, and I am not impressed.

No real gallery's. In her article she advises to be sure the contract specifies all expectations, yet in her download contract while showing three price packages, provides NO details about those packages.

She also demonstrates something I really have a problem with. To be honest many businesses do the same thing. She / they present themselves as friendly , easy to get along With professionals, yet conduct them selves exactly opposite.

I personally consider this to be fraud. Note: I do understand that legally it probably wouldn't be considered fraud.

I would love to see what kind of letter a lawyer could possibly write with regard to this!

Have a nice glass of wine.

Sam

rdlugosz · January 4, 2008

Wow - that's really too bad Scott. It always amazes me how weird people are. What's her problem anyway? I feel for her husband for sure... (though it sounds like he's just as clueless and rude).

Anyway, what I really wanted to chime in on is that with a unique name like "Bibiana" I wouldn't be surprised if google searches in the near future point people to this thread where they'll get a taste for what she's really like.

Too bad for her - it pays to be nice to people. Shame on you, Bibiana. Learn to take a compliment!

SloYerRoll · January 4, 2008

It's shame you had to deal w/ jerks like this. I wanted to add my .02 about these ppl.

Anyone that has a rudimentary knowledge of the web can see where the hits are coming from. So in effect anyone that clicked on the previous link can find out it came from this forum and this thread.

So please don't stoop down to their level and shoot them a nasty-gram. It may come back to haunt you. PPL like this are just looking for a fight so they can score some quick money.

Icebear · January 4, 2008

Never wrassle with a pig. The pig likes it. You just get dirty.
Wait . . did I just call a mean person a pig?? Oooohh . . . better call my attorney.

3rdPlanetPhotography · January 4, 2008

hahahah thanks everyone for putting their 2 cents in. Yea I'm hoping I get a letter from a "attorney" I will spend the rest of the day like -->

I'm sure he got all bent out of shape because I did tell her that I wasn't asking to use any of her photos. Heck I'm a photographer... hahaha I also stated that I'm a people person and that I help everyone especially in the photography community and yes even my local competitors. We all are in the same boat, we all compete to an extent, yet we all speak the same language and cover each other (at least around here). It must be tough to be in the people business and not be a "people person" especially to a fellow photographer who is in NO way any competition to them 1000 miles away.

Oh well.. what comes around goes around for sure. If I was wrong or even appeared to come off offensive in my email then it sure wasn't mean to. I wished them a happy new year and good luck in my last email.

I'll take you up on that wine. I just sat down for the evening. I think I'll pour a glass of wine and enjoy it. I have brial "stuff" to do all weekend so no sleep for me!

Thanks again... and like I've said a few times.... I'll try to post more

Zanotti · January 4, 2008

rdlugosz wrote:

Wow - that's really too bad Scott. It always amazes me how weird people are. What's her problem anyway? I feel for her husband for sure... (though it sounds like he's just as clueless and rude).

Anyway, what I really wanted to chime in on is that with a unique name like "Bibiana" I wouldn't be surprised if google searches in the near future point people to this thread where they'll get a taste for what she's really like.

Too bad for her - it pays to be nice to people. Shame on you, Bibiana. Learn to take a compliment!

Interesting find when you do google "bibiana"

http://www.fhmonline.com/girls_girls_of_fhm_article.asp?idx_id=2913

3rdPlanetPhotography · January 4, 2008

hahahah indeed

Zanotti wrote:

Interesting find when you do google "bibiana"

http://www.fhmonline.com/girls_girls_of_fhm_article.asp?idx_id=2913

DavidTO · January 4, 2008

You might want to take a look at this!!!

bkatz · January 4, 2008

DavidTO wrote:

You might want to take a look at this!!!

Now that's funny - one of the 2 cribbed from the other

ShepsMom · January 4, 2008

Well, you should have told her you were looking for a wedding photographer, and now that you got to know her better, you'll make sure no one else will

Icebear · January 4, 2008

Bibiana Photography
Just making sure there's something for Google to find.

RogersDA · January 4, 2008

Andy wrote:

I nominate SAM to find out, all in favor?

AYE!

http://www.elegala.com/photography-hiring.html

http://www.bibiphoto.com/?method=Bibi.Category&CategoryID=BDB82147-D511-39CC-E1930F1FB123509B

Earliest archived entries from the Internet Archive:

Elegala: September 2006

Bibi: August 2001

gus · January 4, 2008

Icebear wrote:

Just making sure there's something for Google to find.

ian408 · January 4, 2008

3rdPlanetPhotography wrote:

You are exactly right! He told me in the email that I better contact my attorney

Ha ha. Maybe you should

Andy · January 4, 2008

RogersDA wrote:

Earliest archived entries from the Internet Archive:

Elegala: September 2006

Bibi: August 2001

Neat find

3rdPlanetPhotography · January 4, 2008

Baahahahah

I sure with I was a S.O.B sometimes....

DavidTO wrote:

You might want to take a look at this!!!

claudermilk · January 7, 2008

Note to self: don't tick off the dgrin community.

This is definitely a story of how NOT to behave.

zacker · January 7, 2008

wow, can you imagine having to work with her and the threatening hubby? i'd never hire someone like that.. Sheesh!

Justiceiro · January 8, 2008

Wedding photographers can be jerks even after you hire them. Here is a link to a (now semi-defunct) blog story I wrote a while back, "When Wedding Photographers Attack"

http://jerseystoop.blogspot.com/2006/07/when-wedding-photographers-attack.html

banbro · January 8, 2008

Wow... that was quick, looks like the elegala hiring.html has been yanked. Maybe this is why Bibi and hubby were so abbrasive... my guess would be that her document may have been infringed on more than once.

Regardless I agree her actions were uncalled for and she should go back and read her point #6 again and understand that it applies in everyday situations as well.

Justiceiro · January 8, 2008

banbro wrote:

Wow... that was quick, looks like the elegala hiring.html has been yanked. Maybe this is why Bibi and hubby were so abbrasive... my guess would be that her document may have been infringed on more than once.

Regardless I agree her actions were uncalled for and she should go back and read her point #6 again and understand that it applies in everyday situations as well.

I can't believe someone would offer attribution and links to your website, and you would be "offended." Isn't that the internet model of marketing, in a nutshell?

Crabby Photographers

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