Waiting for the sting

Hi All

Someone once said to me (probably my Nan…it sounds like something she would’ve said) ‘If you have nothing nice to say. Say nothing at all.’

…I’ve been very quiet.

I always like to think that I try to see the good in people. That my default position is to trust…or maybe trust is too strong…to always give people the benefit of the doubt. That they are good…until they are not. I have encountered a bit of the ‘not’ lately and have so far steered away from venting about it. But, one instance is probably worth sharing, if for nothing else than to warn others.

A lot of my photographic work starts out as an inquiry via email. Nothing unusual there.

This inquiry was from a ‘lady’ (let’s call her Beryl) wanting coverage of her 60th birthday celebrations. Not something that there is a huge calling for, but each to their own.

We had a few emails back-and-forth, establishing availability and requirements etc. The tone of the emails was a little weird, but I figured that maybe English wasn’t Beryl’s first language. It would also explain the want to have her birthday professionally photographed (different cultures, different traditions).

The conversation got progressively weirder (alarm bells were ringing but I couldn’t pinpoint the problem) including revealing specific details of medical issues and surgeries she was having.

She then advised that she required four hours of coverage (something I thought a bit excessive) and could I provide a price.

By this time, I had pretty much decided that this shoot was going to be one giant headache. I didn’t hold back, quoting full commercial rates. Much to my surprise, she agreed to the price and insisted on paying in advance ‘to avoid disappointment’.

Beryl had lots of reasons (most of which made no sense to me at all) to pay by ‘certified cheque’ (whatever that means). I thought cheques had died out long ago.

A little time passed, and things got even stranger. Beryl emailed me to say her son-in-law (who insisted on sponsoring her celebrations and lives overseas) had sent the cheque but had included the fees of the cake maker and decorator in the one cheque made out to me. Could I bank the cheque and then contact her about paying the other parties.

At this point I decided this whole thing was a scam of some sort. I started doing some digging. Beryl had asked that we do some shots in her garden. The address she had supplied was the Upper Burnie Memorial Hall…which to my knowledge has never had a garden!

I then checked with the council (who manage the hall) to see if there was a booking. There is…but not for her. It is booked by a well-known Tasmanian non-government organisation.

Beryl’s birthday is supposedly next week. The cheque hasn’t arrived. I’m just waiting for the next email to try and work out how they mean to fleece me.

Can you see how this (along with other shit) has me a bit jaded?

I will let you know how it turns out.

To finish off, I will share a few pics of nicer things and catch you next time.

Cheers!

Ps Happy Fathers’ Day to all the Dads out there.

Oh…another thing…big bonus points to anyone out there who can identify which plant this flower belongs to? I’m happy to provide a print to anyone who gets it right.

Cheers people…be nice to each other.