Beware of PhotoPress Production

A few months ago, after a friend of mine asked me to photograph his wedding, I started getting serious about using strobes, so I began with reading all of Strobist, got a number of books, instructional DVDs, a subscription to Kelby Training, and started following a number of well-known photographers’ blogs.

Among them, David X. Tejada, a respected photographer based in Denver. David holds a series of lighting workshops called Small Strobes Big Results that are generally considered to be among the best. So it was with great joy that I read the announcement of his upcoming 2011 European Tour, that would have come to Milan on April 15, 2011.

I immediately went to the site of PhotoPress Production, the company tasked with the logistics for the event and did a pre-registration. After some time, I was informed via email that the price had been raised to 350€, if I still wanted to take part in the workshop. Since it still seemed to be to be quite cheap for a full-day workshop, I confirmed my registration by paying the 350€ via PayPal.

A few days before the event, not having received any information about the location and the times, I sent an email to PhotoPress Production, inquiring about it. A short time later, I received a phone call from Mr. D.L., who told me he had previously sent me an email (which I did not receive, but it’s possible that my server thought it was spam) and apologized but said they had to cancel the workshop, due to an insufficient number of subscribers. I was disappointed, but appreciated the professionalism of PhotoPress Productions, who called me personally from Hungary to explain the situation. He also told me I would be reimbursed shortly via PayPal of the full amount I had paid.

I guess at this point you can imagine where this is leading. After two months, I still haven’t seen my money. After a first reply to my solicitaion, where Mr. D.L. apologized and wrote “You should get it within days” (this was on April 27), I got no further notice, my other emails were ignored, and my phone calls went unanswered and not returned.

On June 3, I also wrote David an email, asking if he knew what was happening and whether he had any way of contacting PhotoPress Production about the issue, but I got no reply either. However, David later replied to a comment I left on his blog. It looks like I am not the only one in this predicament, but it’s not David’s fault.

Two months have passed now, I have tried all systems for contacting PhotoPress Production and D.L.,including three more phone calls today, but I was ignored. So I think it’s time to make this story public. I might not get my 350€ back, but this might serve as a warning to other people who are thinking of participating in a workshop organized by PhotoPress Production.

Please retweet, reblog, like on Facebook, or do whatever you can to publicize my story. Thank you.

Update (June 22nd, 2011): I just received an email from D.L., where he says they had an “unexpected financial problem” that is holding the refunds, and that “it will be solved soon”. At least, the guys are not dead, it seems, but there’s no excuse for not answering emails and phone calls. Probably, making this story public prompted them to finally get back to me.