Exposing a Videographer Friend Who Sucks!

Im not in the business of covering & hiding. I very much believe in exposing people’s shameless behavior.

Check this out. I am on a Board of a Non Profit that serves domestic violence survivors. We wanted to create a promo ad to generate more engagement. I recommended a videographer guy I know, spoke so highly of him because we go to the same church & I’ve seen him video many local African events. I was excited because I love it when monies are invested in Black Businesses. We paid him a deposit. Not cheap. Initial shooting time was 3p, at around 1p we were told videographer needed 1 more hour. 4p: Board members arrive. One was legit 80y/o, even HE made the time. These people are big shots. Talking about “I just closed on my house at a couple millions…” 4:20p Videographer NOWHERE TO BE FOUND. I call him. No response. I get a text “Please will call you in a few minutes, having issues with my cameras, but going for new once now “.
4:26p I call again, no response.


I am Incredibly frustrated on the inside but I decide to keep it cool. I start fake laughing, minimizing what’s happening, explaining how in Eastern cultures, time is a illusion, a flexible concept. I apologize on his behalf, saying he should be here shortly. GET THIS: MAN NEVER SHOWED!!

4:46p I get another text “should be there on or b4 6 please. Never being disappointed like this before.” A Board member has to travel so he leaves. I reply “Not cool. No Need. They’ve left.” Another text from him “I can refund the money. You know me. I don’t play with the quality of my work. I am not going to bringing substandard equipment for my shoot .” I respond “Would have been nice to communicate, we could have rescheduled. Thanks for refunding her” 4:51p Another text “I’m so upset this happened, Am So Sorry” 5p-We decide to wing it and use phones & we do what we can. 5:23p– He finally calls back. Music blasting in his car. Big chilling. Giving me a “Woe is me speech” on how people disappointed him. How people are not trustworthy. They promised him cameras, did not deliver. (He is also sure to throw in there how even the agreed upon price was too small for him, it’s just that it’s me, so he accepted.) The irony is too much for me to bare. I ask, ‘so- you want ME to feel bad for YOU?’ He does not answer, rather goes into the same cyclical illogical reasoning of placing the blame on everything/everyone BUT self… I still keep it cool because I’m chill chick & the water has spilled already, I tell him “we don’t need to go back and forth please call NGO Founder & apologize & refund the money.” He promises to do so right away.

We are sitting in my friend & Founder’s living room eating cheese and crackers, we have accepted our fate, she is sharing updates on her latest DV Case how they went to court, offending man was deported and they even helped the woman get a green card. We congratulate her dedication… MAN NEVER CALLS HER.

I’m cool and all but I have my limits. I HATE people who take advantage of others. We had kept it cute the whole time. But when 6p came and went, still no refund, talking about, he has no service. I call my sister to vent. She advises: “chouchou, give a firm deadline, some people don’t understand courtesy.” So 7:25p, I call. I am going to do what Sandrine advised but with a flair. I will also throw in a quick lil threat… He starts to give me the same ole sob story. I cut him off. My tone has shifted. He can tell. I begin “I’m going to be brief, your behavior is inacceptable, money needs to be in her account by tonight. If not, I’m bringing this matter to the Pastor in the morning.” Money was refunded within 3 minutes and he called me back 2 more times offering to shoot for free and many other free services. I laughed at the power of a good threat.

In the end, I told him, my heart is pure, I don’t hold grudges. It’s over. If you feel that badly, fly me to Jamaica so I can rest from the stress you caused. Otherwise, God bless you, I’m sleepy. (*Keyboard Drop*)