Bitch Says Sorry, Screw You

I read with utter disgust at this blogpost by that "I am different" sourpuss photographer. This time, I shall no longer hold my piece. And with the consent of my clients R&G (the clients whose photos I supposedly "stole") - I shall have my day to speak.

To the sourpuss - first and foremost - had you kept your slander to Eileen Lui ONLY - I would've let this slide. But no, you dragged my company into this, and worse still - you dragged AWP into this. To me, that is plainly tainted with MALICIOUS INTENT. And as what the Japanese said when they bombed the Pearl Harbour - you had awaken a sleeping giant. I ain't taking this sitting down. You want your sorry? Here's your sorry.

First and foremost - let me clarify a few points. I was given permission to use the photos by my clients R&G. R&G did not hire us for the full planning service as they were on a tight budget. When we wanted to start our wedding website, we asked all our clients to allow us use of their wedding photos. We further received permission for the photos to be used by The Star in their wedding pullout. And herein, the trouble started - plain and simple - it was MY MISTAKE. And MY FAULT. I failed to credit the photographer. Obviously, a big mistake. In any case - to clarify again - I'm a wedding planner, NOT a photographer. If I were to "steal" photos, wouldn't I be better off stealing photos of wedding set-ups to showcase my portfolio?? And no, from the get-go till now, there are NO photographers under our payroll. Point made.

But what this sourpuss did to call in on my mistake - with his so-called lawyer friend from a reputable law firm (whose partner ironically, introduced my lawyer to me) was what my lawyers termed as "entrapment" and that lawyer could lose her bar license. Upon advice, a police report, together with a copy of the CCTV security tapes from Plaza Mont Kiara, was lodged at the Mont Kiara Police Station shortly after the confrontation. I was placed in a position of "utter fear and duress" and "threatened" not to mention - shocked that sourpuss demanded a compensation sum of RM40,000 for the use of 8 images without credit. When this sum was revealed to my lawyer - swear to God, the first thing he asked was "Is this guy going out of business or what?" Aside from that - sourpuss wanted a full-page apology ad in The Star.

Honestly, the apology ad - we were all ready to go ahead with. Since it was blatantly my mistake. But upon advise from the lawyers - we were not to do anything except lodge the police report - until we received a proper letter from sourpuss. And the advise was also that - if he had an issue - he should be taking it up with the clients for giving me permission to use the photos (this was where, previously, R&G didn't want to have anything to do with this case and I had promised not to drag them into the mess).

In my profuse apologies to sourpuss over the phone and text messages, I had asked him to please understand that my partners are insisting on seeing the letter - just to make sure that I wasn't in cahoots with sourpuss (I mean, if you think about it - I could be screwing my partners over for the sum of RM40,000 and sourpuss and I take 20 a piece :P) He said if I was sincerely sorry, I should start paying the compensation. During this period too - a formal letter was sent out to The Star's T.L.D. regarding the issue and disallowing them to use the photos.

Anyway, the formal letter from sourpuss NEVER came. But here's what - the so-called lawyer of his, during this period, left the firm and went into a partnership with a local fashion designer in the wedding business. How ironic. Anyway, a chance meeting at a bridal fair at Crown Princess KL with sourpuss had us ironing out our issue - or SO I THOUGHT. We agreed to put this issue behind us and I apologized for the last time to him about it. He said he didn't want to put R&G in a spot either. Of course, maybe he knew too that R&G were very displeased with his services.

Over the next many months, I had been professional - I continued to recommend clients to sourpuss, not just weddings, but also advertising clients for product shoot (since he claims to be a really good photographer), trying to work out packages to work together - but sourpuss was of course, too high up there for the likes of me. In fact, another client of mine - A & T did eventually hire him. Not a word of thanks - it was as if I owed it to him to bring clients forward. But hey - whatever keeps the clients happy, yes? I even recommend clients to that lawyer-turned-wedding gown designer friend of his - C & T were one of the confirmed clients for their gowns. I mean, I can honestly say - I've taken the high road. And not to mention - never ever made the same mistake again. In fact, when I start my computer each morning, there's a pop-up that says "CREDIT PHOTOGRAPHERS" (admittedly, since it's been there forever, it has now become a blind spot!). Anyway, since sourpuss always plays hard-to-get, after awhile, I had a list of other recommendations and in any case, we all heard less of him - except for one round of hate mail about him circulating amongst the wedding industry people.

And then, sometime in 2007, after the launch of Journeys For Two, there was another interview in The Star. Horrors of horrors - they used R&G's photos despite the letter sent to them in 2003! Needless to say, once again, sourpuss was,... you know, sour about it. He confronted me yet again and he said that he had given me a chance, bla, bla, bla and now I am doing it again, bla, bla, bla.... this time, I told him to take that case with The Star - because I certainly would! I had no intention of ever using R&G's photos again. I mean, what for?? When someone says "Put It Behind You" - it means just that! He once again threatened to take this matter further, wanting compensation, etc.... and once again, my lawyers were conferred - my arms were tied till I receive a letter.

And then no news. Until the blogpost which was as recent as last month. To think, this guy spent all of his time and energy bearing this grudge for what? Was it because I was making tiny headways in the industry? He thinks I am minting money? Believe you me, I'm struggling to survive - just like the average Malaysians. I don't exactly drive around in a Lexus, you know.

Apologies - he had received from me - not just ONE - over a thousand - because I do concur - MY MISTAKE for failing to credit the photographer and thus leading it to be misread as MY photos. Once again, if I were to steal photos, I wouldn't steal from him! Duh!

Being in the advertising line as well - every fucking day, we get our ideas stolen by clients and they even implement these ideas right under our very noses. Do I chase each one down with a lawyer's letter and demand for money?? Do I hold a grudge with them forever? NO! What do we do? Sure, I bitch and bitch about it but inevitably, we MOVE ON and continue steering our businesses down the right paths. We will also continue striving to uphold AWP Malaysia's strong code of ethics. I'm sure my President will have something to say about this.

So do I want to take this slander matter up now? My partners are asking. But you know what? Our plates are full. We're better off making proper money than to chase down some old bag of grudge for pittance.

Point made. And once again - thank you to R&G for allowing me to say my piece.