Out of curiousity, do you feel that they will actually pay? So many photogs get awards, but never collect.
I would guess they won't pay, just based off what I've read about the lady in this thread. There is another way to get out of paying a debt - declare bankrupsy. If her new husband already has a house and they already have cars, they'd probably think that was better than paying. Hopefully they will just start paying it though.
The money is great, but I think just go through it and winning the case is an even bigger deal...isn't it? It definately shows future clients that you aren't some 2bit opperation who will not fight back if taken advantage of. Not to mention you were able to stop her from using the image she stole from your site, and that was the main point - i think.
Anyway, glad to hear it worked out and the judge was fair about it.
"A photo is like a hamburger. You can get one from McDonalds for $1, one from Chili's for $5, or one from Ruth's Chris for $15. You usually get what you pay for, but don't expect a Ruth's Chris burger at a McDonalds price, if you want that, go cook it yourself." - me
Just to clarify, I dont think there's a criminal "record" here. What there IS is a civil judgement. They would have a hell of a time refinancing a mortgage, selling or buying a house, or anything else involving a title search. Until that judgement is cleared, they're in fairly deep doo-doo.
If they've got a lick of sense, they'll try to get you to settle for some lesser amount. Thea't a judgement call on your part. The law is on your side, but it do move pretty slow if they choose to be stoopit about it.
John :
Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
Thanks everyone, its never fun to have to do this kind of stuff, and the potential (key word, potential) negative press is a little scary, but then again, I wouldn't want anyone she refers to me anyway, or talks to for that matter. I am just glad to be able to wash my hands of this, and hopefully be able to avoid this problem in the future. It is all a learning process. Since 1996 I have learned so much, and I chock this one up to another learning process to better my studio and business practices. I guess its a blessing in disguise to some degree. Although it was hard to see the blessing at the time.
They probably will file bankruptcy, or try something to get out of paying, and frankly I don't care about the money, its the purpose of the whole thing. Dont steal from photographers, who captured your day. After all, all you have after the wedding are the pictures - they should be sacred. But some people have to be sued to realize these things.
I hope they think twice before stealing anything ever again, photography related or not.
*turns water faucet on, puts hands under it, rubs them together, and sighs in relief*
Glad to hear it all worked out (been lurking following the course of events). I see so many threads along similar lines with lots of big talk & "I know a friend of a friend"--now there's finally a concrete case to point at where things ended up going right for the photographer.
Comments
GreyLeaf PhotoGraphy
I love it when people who think they are immune from the consequences of their actions learn for a fact that they're really not.
Great work!!!
Chuck Cannova
www.customrideportraits.com
www.socalimages.com
Artistically & Creatively Challenged
I would guess they won't pay, just based off what I've read about the lady in this thread. There is another way to get out of paying a debt - declare bankrupsy. If her new husband already has a house and they already have cars, they'd probably think that was better than paying. Hopefully they will just start paying it though.
The money is great, but I think just go through it and winning the case is an even bigger deal...isn't it? It definately shows future clients that you aren't some 2bit opperation who will not fight back if taken advantage of. Not to mention you were able to stop her from using the image she stole from your site, and that was the main point - i think.
Anyway, glad to hear it worked out and the judge was fair about it.
Its said some people have to sued to act right.
If they've got a lick of sense, they'll try to get you to settle for some lesser amount. Thea't a judgement call on your part. The law is on your side, but it do move pretty slow if they choose to be stoopit about it.
Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
They probably will file bankruptcy, or try something to get out of paying, and frankly I don't care about the money, its the purpose of the whole thing. Dont steal from photographers, who captured your day. After all, all you have after the wedding are the pictures - they should be sacred. But some people have to be sued to realize these things.
I hope they think twice before stealing anything ever again, photography related or not.
*turns water faucet on, puts hands under it, rubs them together, and sighs in relief*
---
Atlanta, GA
http://www.chrislaudermilkphoto.com/