Wedding Photographer Accused of Overcharging Sues Clients for Defamation
A wedding photographer strikes back with a lawsuit
Last January, Neely and Andrew Moldovan, a newlywed couple from Dallas told NBC that their wedding photographer was withholding their images unless they paid an extra fee for the cover of their wedding photo album, even though they already paid for the book itself.
Before their wedding, the couple hired photographer Andrea Polito and signed a $6,000 contract with her, which included a “40 page 8.5×12 Storybook Album with up to 80 images.”
The couple claims that when they ordered the album after their wedding, Polito told them that they must pay an additional fee for a cover, and the cheapest cover was priced at $150. The couple argued that this was not stated in the contract, and should be included in the price of the book, while Polito took the opposite stance.
The story has resurfaced with Polito coming forward with her side of the story and a lawsuit to defend her business. Polito is now suing the couple, stating that they “engaged in a smear campaign taken worldwide on many websites and different forms of media,” according to the petition filed in Dallas County, Texas. Polito claims that the couple misunderstood the contract they initially signed and when they contacted local media they defamed her and her business, which she says took a hit following the accusations. Polito is asking for a trial by jury and for monitary relief between $200,000 and $1,000,000.
Considering this dispute started with a $150 price tag, it’s clear that this the disagreement has really escalated to new heights.
You can read the entire filing here by searching for case #DC-15-03069 in Civil District Case Information.
Last January, Neely and Andrew Moldovan, a newlywed couple from Dallas told NBC that their wedding photographer was withholding their images unless they paid an extra fee for the cover of their wedding photo album, even though they already paid for the book itself.
Before their wedding, the couple hired photographer Andrea Polito and signed a $6,000 contract with her, which included a “40 page 8.5×12 Storybook Album with up to 80 images.”
The couple claims that when they ordered the album after their wedding, Polito told them that they must pay an additional fee for a cover, and the cheapest cover was priced at $150. The couple argued that this was not stated in the contract, and should be included in the price of the book, while Polito took the opposite stance.
The story has resurfaced with Polito coming forward with her side of the story and a lawsuit to defend her business. Polito is now suing the couple, stating that they “engaged in a smear campaign taken worldwide on many websites and different forms of media,” according to the petition filed in Dallas County, Texas. Polito claims that the couple misunderstood the contract they initially signed and when they contacted local media they defamed her and her business, which she says took a hit following the accusations. Polito is asking for a trial by jury and for monitary relief between $200,000 and $1,000,000.
Considering this dispute started with a $150 price tag, it’s clear that this the disagreement has really escalated to new heights.
You can read the entire filing here by searching for case #DC-15-03069 in Civil District Case Information.