Business ProfileforLaque Productions, LLC

******* Laque is a unprofessional photographer. She gives you a contract to sign at the end AFTER everything is done and paid for. I had booked her for a photo shoot. I put a 50% deposit down to secure the date that I picked. On the day of the shoot after the photoshoot is done I shortly paid the remaining balance. What I paid for was a one hour shoot and five final edits. I ask her when I will be receiving my pictures and she told me it will take some time. She later on goes and email a contract to sign AFTER everything is done and paid for. Contracts should always be given upfront BEFORE furthering on with business. In order for me to get the pictures that is already paid for I have to sign the contract. I told her that what she is doing is wrong and that I will not sign a contract under duress. The contract stated that she will have the right to sell my pictures to a third party and that she can reproduce my pictures and sell it as T-shirts, phone case etc. I did not hire to take pictures of me to sell. I spent $300 for five pictures that I have not gotten. I feel robed and played. She does not let you look at the contract and sign the contract prior to making a deposit. I have express her that what she is doing is wrong. That contracts should NEVER be given at the end after everything is done and paid for. She fails to realize that she is wrong in holding on to the pictures that I paid for a contract that should of be given in the BEGINNING. I am beyond unhappy with the robbery. She most definitely shouldn't be doing any business with anyone.

All of our booking policies are clearly listed online, and available to all clients prior to booking. We feel disappointed that the client was unwilling to discuss accommodations so that we could return the photos to her, even after many attempts of reaching out. We will never prioritize profit over customer satisfaction, so we processed a 50% refund to the card charged for the appointment on July 18th, 2021 after the customer refused to return any further correspondence.

The client originally received all of the previews from this session and was informed it would take up to 2 weeks to return the photos, after she picked her final favorite 5.

As a part of booking policies, which are clearly listed on the website, there is a 50% nonrefundable deposit, and customers also are required to sign a Model Release which is a contract that confirms the client understands copyright law and how the photos can legally be used under State Law. In this case, even though the contract only confirms the client's understanding of rights delegated to the photographer under Maryland State Law, the client felt uncomfortable signing the release. The release does not grant the photographer any extra rights, but it does confirm that the client may use the photos for social media and personal promotion (which usually comes at an extra cost). After some written communication, the client informed us that she was planning to use the photos for commercial use, which typically requires a separate license and is not included in the original package price. Sadly, after attempts of explaining the contract and attempts at re-negotiation, the client refused to return any further emails and the balance was refunded on July 18th, 2021.

The client has been informed from the beginning that she is always welcome to receive a refund if she did not want to negotiate a written legal agreement for the photos, and was never 'under duress' especially as it was communicated, we'd alter the contract to accommodate her. The contract is not predatory and does not require the client to give up any rights; it is simply there to ensure the client understands the Law.

At Laque Productions, we want to make sure the client is legally protected to use the images we produce. We will always do our best to be flexible, understanding, and ultimately do what is in the best interest of the customer. Because the client was unwilling to sign any written agreement regarding the use of the photos, we decided to process a refund to avoid legal misunderstanding in the future. We hope that the client will develop a basis of understanding for contracted work and the legalities of using copyrighted images, and we are sad that there was no agreement reached for this interaction. We will never leave customers legally vulnerable, as that goes against our core values.