| EP Julien / Eric Paul Julien / New Orleans Photographer |
| Terrible Proofs / No Final Photographs / Terrible Attitude |
| 13th of Sep, 2011 by NOLAFAN |
I hired New Orleans photographer Eric Paul Juliean (EP Julien) of websites http://www.e-paul-julien.com/ and www.i-love-new-orleans.com.
The shoot was supposed to be a surprise mother's day gift for my mother [we were in New Orleans for a vacation]
Whilst the actual shoot was fun, the aftermath was nightmarish and exposed the photographer's utter unprofessionalism, disregard for his clients and questionable competence.
When I was initially researching for photographers I noticed two things:
1. EP Julien was significantly cheaper than the competition
2. In spite of having - apparently - been in business for 9 years and claimed to have won awards - there are NO reviews of his business anyone online.
Neither on his own website, or secondary review sites. He claims to have done weddings; there are no reviews from gushing brides. The only ONE review of him online is on Google and written by an E Paul (isn't his name Eric Paul Julien?!)
Had I known then what I know now: these would have been be significant warning signs.
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The problems began when I received the unedited photographs, a few days following the shoot.
The pictures - even in their unedited state - were disasterous. Awkward angles, poor composition, over or under exposed.
I contacted the New Orleans based photographer Eric Paul Julien/EP Julien immediately and was given three main reasons for the poor photographs:
1. He did not have the right equipment for photogaphs taken inside [even though he chose the shoot locations!]
2. We - the clients - had not "warmed up" [I have never met a competent photographer who blames their client for poor photographs!]
3. Photography is an artform like painting, and he was looking for "one shot" [I clearly contracted for a SERIES of photographs].
As a result of my complaint, EP Julien (Eric Paul Julien) threatened not to give us the edited photographs "you do not like them - why would you want them" his exact words, and refused to give us a refund.
In fact - as of 12 September 2011 - we have neither received the edited images [as per the contract] NOR a refund. To be clear; even though we have paid we have not even got ANY edited images [our entitlement, under the contract].
To make matters worse - in an apparent bid to intimidate - New Orleans Photographer EP Julien (Eric Paul Julien) posted a selection of the terrible images to his blog because "they are my photographs and I can use
them for marketing" (his exact words).
To be clear - in spite of it being clear that we were highly dissatisifed with the photographs, and could not even use the photographs orurselves,
New Orleans Photographer EP Julien insisted on his right to plaster the photographs.
And this is where the real scam lies:
Photographer gets: paid upfront and tipped handsomely
Client gets (in my case at least):
Poorly composed, unflattering photographs plastered on the internet by a photographer determined to weild his muscle.
If the photographer you use is going to insist on holding the rights to 'their' images of you, make sure you use a photographer with professional integrity and who will take onboard client's concerns about having hideous images of themselves
plastered all over the internet. Make sure you use a photographer who places you - paying clients - above their ego.
From my experience - New Orleans Photographer Eric Paul Julien (EP Julien Photography) is NOT that photographer. |
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