ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCES CONSENT ORDER WITH FREDERICK AREA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has entered into a consent order with Albert Dalmau, d/b/a Fine Focus Photography in Walkersville, Maryland to resolve allegations that Dalmau violated the Consumer Protection Act by taking money to provide wedding photographs but not providing the photographs.

Dalmau, of 410 West Potomac Street, Brunswick, Maryland, solicited business at bridal shows, promising to photograph weddings and receptions and provide wedding photographs. While Dalmau collected the full fee in advance and took the photographs at the weddings, he did not provide the photographs and other goods to the consumers. More than 20 consumers did not receive their wedding photographs. The Division alleged that Dalmau violated the Consumer Protection Act by promising to take the pictures and provide the photographs, and collecting the fees in advance, but failing to provide the goods to the consumers.

Under the consent order, Dalmau promised not to accept advance payments or deposits from consumers and to stop engaging in practices in violation of the Consumer Protection Act. He also signed a release of any copyright claim he may have so that consumers with negatives and proofs can have photographs made. Dalmau will pay restitution of all monies paid to him by consumers who did not receive the wedding photographs as promised, including $28,000 in restitution that is specified in the consent order, and will pay a civil penalty.

" Wedding photographers are hired to capture a once-in-a-lifetime event in people’s lives," said Curran. "When consumers hire a photographer, they are entitled to receive the goods they paid for."

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