The Green Magazine's Art director called me in early May to ask if I would want to shoot an event for them on May 22 here in Houston TX at a local Golf Event.
Red Flags went up when the price initally discussed went from 250.00 for a couple of hours to 300.00 for the entire day, 9:30 to 5:30. I almost declined but thought I had the day open, was a new business for me, so why not?
We signed contractual agreement.
Day of shoot, they started calling me an hour earlier then I was suppose to show up, and asking me to get there ASAP. I lived 5 minutes away, so I did arrive earlier then asked.
They also asked me if I could do "instaprints" of foursomes. I wasn't setup for it, but managed to get it there and of course when I did they changed their minds. Then they asked if I could get a videographer there. I did that too. I also asked 2 additional family members who are photgraphers to show up and assist.
Day was hot, but we got through it fine. I shot almost 100 frames plus hours of video. I was told verballynot only by President of The Green, Ina Martinez that I would be compensated for all this extra work, but their sponsers for Level and Merrill Lynch also told me they would be sure to "take care of me" and how much they appreciated all I had done for them.
Videographer left at 5:30. But Ina asked me to stay and continue shooting awards ceramony. I did so, even though it was my birthday and my family had dinner plans for me. I stayed until just before 8:00 P.M. And missed all that. Had not eaten nor sat down for 11 hours straight. Not even a restroom break.
Now I cannot get them to pay me. Even though they have admitted they are late, and claim it is due to non payment by their sponsers.
When I try to call, email, etc. They avoid me. They will give me a date and then not follow though.
I have threatned media attention, they still ignore.
My husband and I had some very bad luck this last year and lost everything finacially, retirement, etc. So I wrote Ina Martinez, President of The Green Magazine and explained very nicely how important this money would be to my family. She Ignored me. No response at all. I wrote again and she stated they would pay the following week, and of course did not.
She then wrote me a short nasty note stating she will be happy to be "rid of me" and looks for a "speedy end to my emails".
This is a woman who is recognized in the Minority community as a leader for promoting golf to these communities.
They have Level Vodka and Merrill Lynch as sponsers. They lead a very posh lifestyle, having many celebrity adorn their covers and visiting very posh courses and sipping martinies.
They seemed like very nice people and I had fun shooting the event even though I was exhausted by the end of the day. I just want to be paid in full for my and my families very hard work that day.By the way, I did contact previous photographers and they stated by email that they had to hound them weekly to be paid and wished me LOTS of LUCK!
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