Gary Ventura

Not that this is great news, but Gary has been hospitalized! He is in substance abuse rebab and likely to be there until the end of November. We're not aware of any of the specifics, but unfortunately none of this is good. We are in the same situation as everyone who has posted here. What we have been able to find out is that a couple of photographers are working to get people their files on a disk. Mark Potter is no longer associated with Gary Ventura Photography. If your wedding was completed in 2008 Mary Corcoran may be able to help. She has one of Gary's hard drives with 2008 wedding photos, and may be able to get you the files. Unfortunately our wedding was not on that hard drive. Brandon Vick may also have some photos, especially if he shot anything with Gary. Good luck to everyone trying to get their photos.

I can attest to the complaints here, although I consider myself lucky to have avoided a true disaster. Gary took a $1000 security deposit and two weeks prior to the wedding I was attempting to contact him to work out details and get in the rest of the money. We could not get a hold of him and after leaving a few messages, his message machine was full. About a week out I got a call from his mother indicating that he would not make it to the wedding. She said he was talented but that he "had problems", which it now seems is a terrible drug problem. We were able to hire a new photographer to avert the devastating issue most of you are experiencing, however, we are still out $1000 bucks. I can't even begin to afford to walk away from that kind of money, so I need help!!!

I need to know any and all information that you have all used in the way of prosecuting this guy. Have you received any settlements? Who have you talked to that may be able to help. I can't afford a lawyer, but it seems like my case is very strait-forward. Also, I live in California and can't be there in person. I am so upset about this. I honestly feel bad for this guy who is obviously in a bad way, but I don't know what else to do.

NEW INFO -----If you are a couple who Gary has cheated, please check out the WHEC news story that others have mentioned here. When you do, read the comments folks have written at the end of the story. Several photographers who used to be friends with Gary have posted there offering to help any couple who has managed to get their files. They will help you make your bridal album at cost. It's a drag that you have to pay anything, but at least you can get an album designed by talented and reputable photographers. These photographers have listings and links to their personal websites at http://www.NYphotoloft.com

DO NOT HIRE HIM!!!! The day of my wedding was the last time I saw or heard from him. He was paid in full, of course, the day of the wedding and then he disappeared on us. After months of stressing out and trying to contact him in every way possible, we threatened w/ legal action. ONLY THEN did his MOTHER call us. After many more months of dealing w/ the man's MOTHER, did we finally get the PROOFS. Forget about the prints, we've given up on that!! Save yourself the stress, he's talented but you're risking never getting your pictures and lots of stress!! FYI, he did this to SEVERAL of our friends as well. And there's practically a support group of his victims that I ended up finding online in my quest to contact him.

Count my wife and I as another victim of Gary's. Wedding was in May and we have little hope of a "finished product", but do want to get our hands on the photos. Have not heard from GV since the event (where he was quite blurry eyed). After multiple calls to his "manager", Mark Potter, we did receive one call two weeks back letting us know that Gary had moved (outside of Geneva?) and was ready to start putting in 10 hour days to clear the backlog. Sounds great, but I tend to doubt it based on all that I have read.

Has anyone been in contact with each other to initiate joint legal action to save on costs? Seems crazy to spend thousands more on a lawyer after already being ripped off once. Also, has anyone pursued legal action against Mark Potter? He was our primary contact for all negotiations and payment and should be held jointly accountable.

I can be reached at smverrill@statestreet.com if anybody wants to speak further.

Oh my God, Gary you are terrible! I can't believe you are doing this to all this couple...including me and my husband,...and yeah the legal action will start soonn!
IT'S TRUE DON'T BOOK GARY VENTURA...

My husband and I have had the same problems with Gary Ventura photography. The guy is incredibly unprofessional fraud. He should NOT be allowed to do business.

The Better Business Bureau is useless. If you have not already done so, please send a complaint into the NYS Attorney General's Consumer Fraud division. If there are enough of us complaining, the Attorney General may intervene on our behalf. Check out this similar case: http://www.oag.state.ny.us/media_center/2007/jan/jan31b_07.html

My husband and I used Gary for our 2007 wedding. We receieved our wedding proofs (print and digital) after doggedly pursuing Gary, but received none of the other items agreed upon in our contract (album, prints, etc) . We've tried contacting him through a number of avenues over the last year, but he seems to have gone into hiding.

It's true that Gary is talented, but he is not a reputable businessman. I would NOT sign a contract with him again despite his artistic abilities.

I also just learned about the local news coverage on Gary in Rochester. I'm so glad that they did a segment, but there a many GV casualties out there who don't live in the Rochester area (meyself included) who may not see it -- Gary travels. I hope the news gets out to them as well. My husband and I plan to pursue legal action at this point. I'm sorry that it has come to this.

Gary Ventura photographed my wedding 8-12-2007. We never received our photos. I am offering a $500 reward to the first person that can provide me with high-res digital copies of my wedding pictures. My name is Tegan Biun, previously Tegan Breese-Garelick and my email address is tegan.deanna@gmail.com. Please spread the word and help me out! I just want copies of my pictures...it's been so long and they mean so much to me, as I'm sure you can all relate to. Thanks for your help and commiseration!

DO NOT BOOK GARY VENTURA! Gary photographed my wedding 2 years ago and still has not delivered upon the items outlined in our contract...even though he has had my money for 2 years. Unfortunately, this same situation happened to me before with the first wedding photography I booked who took my deposit and disappeared (Karen Record of Fluture Imgaging)...talk about bad luck with choosing wedding photographers! The only way we were able to get anything from her was to join together and file complaints with the attorney general's office as well as go to the local media in Rochester, NY (News Channel 8 previously covered the story on Fluture Imaging). If everyone is willing to team together, we may able to get what we are owed. It's a shame that he's allowed to get away with this- no couple deserves to go through this frustration.

DO NOT HIRE GARY VENTURA!

He is possibly the most unprofessional individual I have ever met or worked with. I was married two years ago and still have not received my wedding album. I have spent more time with a headache than I ever imagined possible. You may get your wedding photographed, but nothing more. He is a flake, he lacks business skills, he is unprofessional, and unapologetic for his behavior. He should not be allowed to cause this kind of grief to people who have paid him thousands of dollars. IF I COULD CHOOSE NO STARS I WOULD.

DO NOT HIRE GARY VENTURA PHOTOGRAPHY!!!!
Please please please read this review and do NOT hire Gary. I agree with everything the first poster said. I got married two years ago and have not received my wedding album. He's gotten terrible reviews on the Better Business Bureau and for good reason. If you book Gary you will be riddled with unanswered phone calls and emails, years of frustration, considering to take legal action, and NO WEDDING ALBUM to enjoy and cherish. Please spread the word. You will lost all of your money and get nothing in return!!!!! DO NOT HIRE GARY VENTURA!

EVERYONE: WHEN YOU GOOGLE GARY VENTURA AND GARY VENTURA PHOTOGRAPHY, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU CLICK ON THE UP ARROW NEXT TO THE PROJECT WEDDING LINK. LET'S MAKE SURE THIS COMES UP HIGH IN THE RESULTS LIST. EVERYONE CONSIDERING BOOKING HIM NEEDS TO SEE THESE COMMENTS.

--> ****This just in!!!! Here's the news story that's airing about Gary and his scam: http://www.whec.com/iteam/stories/S1070939.shtml?cat=572 ****

HELP!!! LOCAL NEWS LOOKING FOR BRIDES WHO HIRED GARY!! Please email me if you're interested in sharing your story. A local news team has contacted a few of us as they're interested in doing a story on him and what happened to all of us. This is our chance to help keep other brides from making the same mistake we all did. dancinloo@aol.com