 - Donna M. Paul  Contact Donna M. Paul Donna M. Paul's Gallery |
Need INFO I read some of the threads on the ILP site, and many were wondering about their books (they have an area where the expected publication date of the books are posted), photos being published, unable to get in touch with the site, etc. etc. I will say that I have been published, have rec'd my book, certificates, etc., have had great CSR with them, and even have email addresses of their office staff. MY question is this.....I have been selected to attend the "$10,000.00 Grand Prize to be Awarded to Amateur Photographer of the Year at the ISP Photography Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada! to compete in a contest and participate in other events that are planned, an array of professional photographers are supposed to be in Attendance at two star-studded events and awards ceremonies featuring National Geographic photographer, Steve McCurry; famous celebrity photographer, Bob Gruen; and Time Magazine photojournalist, Robert Nickelsberg. I am a bit hesitant now after reading so MANY varied remarks to finish the final process of registration...MY question, has anyone attended the prior conventions, or is this just a SCAM/HOAX. Thanks much for any and all comments good, bad or indifferent
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Jon Close |
Not a hoax. Whether it's a scam or not depends on how strictly you interpret the word. Certainly not illegal. But you have to wonder about the value of an "honor" that you are required to pay to receive or attend. If they sold the event as a teaching seminar, a la those offered by Nikon and others, there probably wouldn't be a problem. But characterizing it as an Awards Ceremony and preying on people's vanity with the offer of medalions, commemorative plates, etc. shades into the "scam" realm in many people's minds.
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Christopher A. Vedros |
Donna, In other words, you CAN get something from them, but ONLY if you pay for it. Your photo that was published may be stunning, and truly worthy of awards, I don't know since I haven't seen it. The harsh reality is, it didn't need to be great - it was published in the book because you paid for the book. That's the true nature of their operation that most people say is a scam. Most photo contests award prizes based on the merits of the photo. ILP and several affiliated operations send the "you have been selected for publication" letter to every photo that is entered, regardless of how good it is. If you pay for the book, you get published in it. When they get enough people to pay, they put all the photos together and publish the book. Lots of people feel cheated by this and demand their money back. That's when they find that customer service won't cooperate. Of course not, ILP is a business and they want to make money, not give it back. Regardless of all the crusaders out there vowing to contact attorney's, etc. ILP's scheme is NOT illegal. If you pay for the book, you will eventually get the book. They are not taking anyone's money without giving something in return. Their promised publication date may slip by months, but that's not a crime. I'm sure if you pay whatever fees they are asking for this convention, you will get something in return. If you pay the most money, you might even get a bigger "prize". Chris
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Brendan Knell |
"Their promised publication date may slip by months", Chris,from what I can tell, it's more like years. They were trying to get me with Endless Journies, and from what I can tell, it's still not out. And that was at least 3 YEARS ago!
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Christopher A. Vedros |
I think they always call it that.
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Brendan Knell |
You think they always call it Endless Journies? From what I can tell, they don't. Here's a list of all there "publications" and Endless Journies is nowhere to be found. So that's why I'm guessing that it's not out yet. http://www.picture.com/publications/pubsmain.php P.S. There's a bunch of them with Endless and Journies in there titles, but no Endless journies.
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- Donna M. Paul Contact Donna M. Paul Donna M. Paul's Gallery |
Thanks so much for all your help Guys/Gals, it has been appreciated. Not sure what the title of the publication I have, but I did receive mine. I think, I will attend anywayz, I could use the vacation..LOL..I'll take pictures and let you know how it turned out.... Again, Thanks Bunches.
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Debra P. Chenault |
Donna, I look forward to your experience at this award ceremony. I too was a winner, I too received the many, many letters, emails, etc to 'purchase' my award and book. I never sent them a dime after researching this site and others on ILP. After writing them a letter asking them they do not have my permission to publish my picture, I received my awards. I didn't pay a dime for them. I recently received the emails about the awards ceremony in LV, and again told them NOT to publish my picture, etc. etc. I am now waiting to see if I get my 'awards' again without paying! This will be interesting to see how this so-called 'ceremony' went. Look forward to your thoughts and experience.
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Debra P. Chenault |
Donna, I look forward to your experience at this award ceremony. I too was a winner, I too received the many, many letters, emails, etc to 'purchase' my award and book. I never sent them a dime after researching this site and others on ILP. After writing them a letter telling them they do not have my permission to publish my picture, I received my awards. I didn't pay a dime for them. I recently received the emails about the awards ceremony in LV, and again told them NOT to publish my picture, etc. etc. I am now waiting to see if I get my 'awards' again without paying! This will be interesting to see how this so-called 'ceremony' went. Look forward to your thoughts and experience.
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- Donna M. Paul Contact Donna M. Paul Donna M. Paul's Gallery |
Hi Debra: Well, I went and I had a FABULOUS time. I met WONDERFUL people from all over the world, made some really good contacts. I was completely mesmerized with the commaraderie, banter and discussions of all the photographers of so many skill levels, some from as far as Australia, Croatia, Japan, UK, Wales, Ukraine, Hawaii, Africa, to name but a few. The invited celebrities were there and gave wonderful intense symposiums of their award winning photos, as well as, hands on classes i.e., Billy Pegram, Fashion Photographer. The invited entertainment was excellent, and the food given at the banquet and talks was eatable..LOL. There was a massive screen that showed photos with members names on it (I don't know the people, but the photos were nice, from very amatuer to professional levels). There were some areas that could have used improvement (my opinion), but that goes w/o saying, as not everyone is going to be entirely pleased with all the outcome of any event, I guess that is just human nature. I was truly impressed by the lineup, the convention, and symposiums that were offered there, and the work that went into this event to get it organized. I can actually say that I was pleased with the young lady "Donna M. Casell" that won the 10k award, I wasn't too happy with the photo, but was VERY glad she was an amatuer (her children made her submit the photo for the contest), it restored my faith in a lot of areas (wink), all the other prizes were awarded that included Door Prizes as well as Monetary. It was an experience, and I was VERY tired after the outcome, I only got to see Las Vegas on my last night there, and that was after the convention was officially closed on Sunday. Would I do it again, most definently, and although some may not agree (human nature again..LOL), I rec'd my money's worth, rec'd my "vanity" award which always makes a person feel good, almost like an invisible pat on the back..LOL..and to tell you the truth even if I hadn't gotten the award, I would still be pleased, as some High Leveled Photographers enjoyed my work, and it was a nice feeling to be acknowledged, to know that your time and effort is not in vain (wink)!!! Take care and Thanks for asking
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