Unhappy customer

This is gold!
Thank you for taking the time to go through this for us. I'm writing an email at the moment stating all of the above.

Thanks again.

cookiejay wrote in post #18934126
This is gold!
Thank you for taking the time to go through this for us. I'm writing an email at the moment stating all of the above.

Thanks again.

Given what you have already said, I bet it isn't going to change anything.

Did you ever look to see if he is using other people's images on his website?

I agree, based on the attitude of the photographer, I suspect the only thing to gain his attention will be the notice of arbitration. Keep all records of contact with the photographer, it will help paint a picture of what has already been attempted and the attitude.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18934139
Did you ever look to see if he is using other people's images on his website?

Heck, if you don't want to do it, post the photographer's web site that has the portfolio. I'm sure someone here is curious enough to want to investigate.

joedlh wrote in post #18934167
Heck, if you don't want to do it, post the photographer's web site that has the portfolio. I'm sure someone here is curious enough to want to investigate.

Lol

Seriously. It's about a two minute process.

Any updates on his reply? I share the view that no one will end up walking away happy, yet at the same time if he's engaging in unacceptable or unprofessional behavior you need to call him out on it.

You must have been looking over my shoulder, I have literally just submitted a case with small claims court!
I don't want to go in to too much detail, for all I know they could be a member of this group

They stopped responding to me, so I left it 2 weeks and posted a review on their Facebook page explaining the situation and how I was unhappy with my photos, especially that so many moments were missed...
Now I'm getting keyboard warriors that are clearly associated with them sending me hate mail and hurling insults over Facebook - I'm thick skinned so taking it on the chin, just a massive shame
it's had to come to this.

I don't want to post any of my photos or their business just yet, I'll see what the outcome is with the SCC as I don't want anything to impact it, if it can (?).

cookiejay wrote in post #18941728
You must have been looking over my shoulder, I have literally just submitted a case with small claims court!
I don't want to go in to too much detail, for all I know they could be a member of this group

They stopped responding to me, so I left it 2 weeks and posted a review on their Facebook page explaining the situation and how I was unhappy with my photos, especially that so many moments were missed...
Now I'm getting keyboard warriors that are clearly associated with them sending me hate mail and hurling insults over Facebook - I'm thick skinned so taking it on the chin, just a massive shame
it's had to come to this.

I don't want to post any of my photos or their business just yet, I'll see what the outcome is with the SCC as I don't want anything to impact it, if it can (?).

That is best, just only ever discuss the facts of the situation should you have to talk to anyone outside the courts, and have everything fully documented, examples of their past work compared to the current work, and a record of all their messages and emails to you (and yours to them). That will help paint the picture of the inadequacies and the lack of attempt to work with the customer outside the courts.

This is what I had to do when I took General Motors to small claims (and won), or when I was dating my now-wife back in college and went to court on her behalf against a police officer that unfairly ticketed her (and won). I think that is when she decided I was marriage material.

Smart decision to not litigate in public yet. The hardest part of business disputes is removing the emotion, and it's far easier to settle to get what you want if there aren't already public negative reviews or other things that you've put out there that aren't easy to take back. Facts and data speak louder in court than "I feel".
Even if it's just small claims court you may want to spend an hour with a solicitor getting some advice on the best way to organize your case. They can probably give you enough tips in an hour to be much more convincing about how you present your argument in a way that the magistrate (Assuming UK courts use magistrates for small claims?) will find most convincing.

I have been following with much interest. Please keep us posted as to the outcome or developments.

Just a quick update and thank you to everyones comments on here, incredibly valuable and much appreciated.

Finally arrived at the light at the end of the tunnel.
After a small claims case and a few solicitor battles (as they wanted to counterclaim for loss of earning, damage to health and breach of contract (which we proved was incorrect)), I have finally received half of the money back.
Unfortunately I am still unable to comment on who it was as I've had to sign to say no further reviews and mentions must be made against them

Still unable to edit the photos myself as they retain the copyright, would have preferred that over the money but I suspect that would have been more difficult to negotiate.

Thanks again for all the help.