Wedding photographer hired over Instagram delivers just 7 pictures, bride wins Rs 70,000

Hired on seeing Insta profile

According to the complaint, the woman hired the photographer after seeing an Instagram profile which showcased wedding photographs and videos and claimed to offer reliable, high-quality services.

For her wedding, the parties agreed on a package worth Rs 56,000 that included an HD highlight video, teaser trailer, Instagram reel, calendar, photo frame, 70 edited photographs and all raw images on a pen drive. It was stated that she paid Rs 5,000 as an advance booking fee and a further Rs 40,000 towards the service balance, bringing the total amount paid towards the photography and videography services to Rs 45,000.

However, after the wedding, the photographer allegedly delivered only seven edited photographs before becoming largely unresponsive despite repeated calls and messages. The complainant said she received only erratic excuses for the delay before communication stopped altogether.

The complaint further stated that the first 32 GB pen drive supplied by the photographer was completely blank and the replacement pen drive contained only a few raw photographs covering a limited portion of the wedding day and even included photographs from another couple’s wedding.

During mediation, the photographer allegedly admitted that he did not possess the complete video footage or additional photographs and later failed to honour a settlement reached between the parties. Alleging deficiency in service, the complainant moved the consumer commission.

Allegations unchallenged

The commission observed that the complainant’s testimony and documentary evidence, including payment receipts and WhatsApp and Instagram chats, remained unchallenged as the opposite party neither filed a written version nor produced any evidence to challenge the allegations.

The commission held that the complainant was put to mental agony, hardship and inconvenience due to the unfair trade practice and deficiency of service of the opposite party. Therefore, it directed the opposite party to refund Rs 45,000 to the complainant and to pay Rs 25,000 as compensation for the inconvenience, hardship and mental agony suffered by the complainant.

For consumer-related grievances, individuals may contact the consumer helpline in their respective states and Union territories (Kerala helpline: 1800-425-1550) or call the National Consumer Helpline at 1915 for assistance.