ICU Network from Universal City California had hired me as a photographer for an event they had in September. They hired me last minute to help them out and I showed up. The amount I was supposed to be paid was $185 dollars for 3 hours. I ended up having to give a piece of my equipment to one of there people so they can shoot video while I did what I could to do my job. It was not a problem either way because I did the best I could. I went above and beyond and stayed as they asked me to. Come to find out they decide to tell me that they have to wait for the client to pay them just so they can pay me. I was a little bothered by that but I understood. Well I told them I was not going to release any photos or anything until I was paid. The woman Elixis, I think was her name had told me they needed some proofs. I was not ok with that and I told her that as I photographer, I reserve the right and own the rights to all images until paid.
Well, we went back and forth on text, (for which I printed copies of the conversation of) how she would pay me if I sent 3 proofs for them to see. I let her know that I would with water marks just so they could not use them. She agreed and I went ahead and sent them 5 instead of 3. Not only did they still not pay, but now they said that they are only going to pay $100 instead of $185. The bottom line is that I wanted to be paid for a job I did. I told them that I would send them the photos as soon as they paid me paypal or another form of payment that had to clear first.
Now I have received stories on how this person is dealing with situations with there families. Well I have a family as well and the bottom line is that I needed to be paid for a service I did. I told them that I was going to post on the internet about what they have done and they said they would do the same to me. Great, so because I am letting everyone know that I did not get paid for a service I was hired to do, someone is going to write back and say that what?, I was a pain in the butt trying to receive payment. Anyway, pleases stay away from these people because now, I don't care if I get paid or not because at the end of the day, it's KARMA that will come back and haunt them. If they decide to pay me, then I will do what I can to update this post and let everyone know that they did pay. It was my fault for not making sure I was paid up front when I showed up, but for now on, I will never help anyone last minute again with out being paid up front. Just please stay away from them.
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