Melissa Smith Photography

The photographer was hired and paid $2500 to photograph my wedding, provide photo images digitally and a wedding album. We did not receirve our album.We paid Melissa Smith $2500 to capture our special day on May 22, 2010. We did recieve images digitally within 2 months, however, the most important part, our wedding album we never received. I have emailed her repeatedly over the years, I have called, and have even sent pleas to her in her [redacted] inbox. There has been no action taken. Initially she told me she was having issues with the album vendor, then said it had been rectified. We could proceed or receive a discount. I asked for the product. However after that point she has ignored all responses and request for my product. I inquired of a lawyer in 2012/2013 and they stated I had a case, but at the time, I did not want to go into litigation. I just recently decided to go this route because I did not want to destroy her business, but obtain my product. I honestly think because we are African Americans, she underestimated that we would pursue it further. I just want my wedding album. The value of the album is around $500. Please please help!!Desired SettlementI would like her to either provide us with a quality product or refund us for the current market value of being able to get a wedding album produced.Business Response I have read over this complaint as well as forwarded the information on to our attorney. I have to say waiting almost 5 years says alot. Yes there were issues with the vendor at the beginning however [redacted] did the final viewing of her album through the password protected gallery and gave the ok for it to be ordered. She lives in a different city so the album was shipped directly to her. Yes it did take several months to finally get things handled however after letting her know in an email that things were crazy at first but everything was being handled and her album was being shipped I never heard anything back from her. So I honestly just assumed she received it. My email address is not the same as it was when [redacted] hired us however my phone number hasn't changed and all the information to contact me is on her contract. I have not received any phone calls from [redacted] nor any kind of voice mails. She states she has sent[redacted] messages which I do not always receive those from anyone so I do not do business though[redacted]. I do not understand why she does not have an album nor do I understand why shes waited 5 years for this complaint. I would be happy to provide [redacted] with an Album if knowing she did not ever receive it but I feel there is something very strange in the fact that its taken so long for a complaint without hearing from her. I also feel it VERY UNNECESSARY for [redacted] to claim "its because we're African-American" That's the most ridiculous accusation and excuse. I dont mean to get personal on this because this is business however I do NOT like being accused of racist please feel free to look into my family background as I have as you say "African American" family members. So lets please leave the racist accusations/excuses out of this. Because I would not want anyone not receiving something we promised them if [redacted] can provide me with the photographs from her wedding as I do not keep them past a certain time frame I will be happy to provide her with an album. She can send me the CD that was provided to her. However I would appreciate at least this being removed once she has in person picked up an album that will be provided for her. I will not have another shipped out. My email address should she choose to work this out is [redacted]