Karnataka woman pays Rs 1.99 lakh to wedding photographer who promised personal coverage, finds assistants covering ceremonies instead; consumer court orders Rs 35,000 compensation and litigation expenses

BENGALURU: A wedding photographer in Karnataka has been directed to pay Rs 35,000 in compensation and litigation expenses to a bride after a consumer court found deficiency in service over his failure to personally cover her wedding despite an alleged promise to do so, according to report by Bar and Bench.The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Hassan held that replacing a specifically engaged photographer with assistants without informing the client or obtaining her consent amounted to a breach of contract under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.According to a report by Bar and Bench, the order was passed on October 17 by a bench comprising Commission president Chanchala CM and member Anupama R in a complaint filed by Chinmayi M against Karthik Singh, proprietor of Karthik Singh Photography and his associate Sharvari.Chinmayi had hired Singh after viewing his Instagram portfolio, which showcased his photography and videography work. The parties agreed on a package worth Rs 2.05 lakh, covering candid and cinematic videography for the engagement and other wedding-related ceremonies. She paid Rs 1,99,200, including Rs 16,200 towards travel expenses.According to the complaint, Singh had assured her that he would personally photograph important ceremonies, including the engagement, wedding reception and wedding. However, he allegedly sent other photographers without informing her.The bride alleged that the team arrived 70 minutes late and missed several important moments, including rituals at her home, the bridal procession accompanied by relatives and musicians, and the groom's arrival in a car.She further alleged that the photographers later asked the family to recreate some of the missed moments artificially.The complaint also raised concerns over poorly edited videos, missing footage, the absence of drone coverage, the placement of an LED screen and delays of nearly a year in delivering the photographs, videos and wedding album.Singh denied the allegations, maintaining that the photographers were part of his regular professional team and worked under his supervision. He argued that the complainant had failed to establish any technical deficiencies in the work and was attempting to avoid paying an outstanding amount of Rs 22,000.The Commission, however, found that Singh had failed to honour his commitment to personally photograph the ceremonies. It also observed that clients engage professionals based on their individual skills and expertise, making their identity an important consideration in such contracts."In professional contracts involving creative or specialized skills like photography, medical procedures, or legal representation the identity and unique talent of the service provider are often the primary reason for the contract. Substituting that person with an assistant without the client's consent constitutes a direct breach of contract," it said, as quoted by Bar and Bench.The Commission said photographers must inform clients if they are unable to attend an event, giving them an opportunity to make alternative arrangements.It relied on WhatsApp conversations to establish that the photographer's assistants had arrived 70 minutes late, resulting in important wedding rituals being missed.However, the Commission rejected the allegations concerning the poor quality of photographs and the absence of drone coverage.It directed Singh and his associate to pay Rs 25,000 as compensation and Rs 10,000 towards litigation expenses. The amount must be paid within 45 days of the order, failing which it will attract annual interest of 10% until payment.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in BengaluruStay updated with the latest Bengaluru news. Download the TOI App.