Contact 6 looks into two photography studios

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6's Contact 6 has looked into two photography studios taking thousands of dollars from potential clients before seemingly disappearing.

Melisa Erickson has beautiful pictures from her wedding that were taken by a photographer who stepped in after her contracted photographer disappeared.

Erickson says Jim Hamberg, the owner of Black Dog Studio in Brookfield accepted a $1,000 deposit and then never showed up to a wedding walk-through about a month before the wedding.

"We decided that we were gonna end our contract with him because he breached the contract by not taking our photo shoot that he agreed to," Erickson said.

Then, FOX6's Contact 6 received another complaint about the same studio. This, from Joe Wirtz -- a father who says he didn't get his son's senior photos on time.

A quick check with the Better Business Bureau reveals an F-rating for Black Dog Studio and a failure to respond to four of the eight complaints against the company.

Contact 6 spoke with Hamberg, who runs the studio and admitted he is behind on his work and is doing the best he can.

FOX6's Katrina Cravy: "Something's breaking down in the business when people get so angry that they come to the Better Business Bureau AND Contact 6. I mean there's a camera walking right into your business!"

"I understand that. And I don't know what I can do to stop that except to just continue to try to get everything done," Hamberg said.

Black Dog isn't the only photographer with complaints coming in to Contact 6. Contact 6 is also working on two against A Photo Illusion in Racine for not delivering after getting paid.

A Photo Illusion also has an F-rating with the BBB and hasn't responded to Contact 6's calls, letters or emails.

Unfortunately, these complaints are not uncommon.

"You don't need to be licensed, you don't need to go to school for it. All you need is a website, a camera and a dream," Kim Anderson with the National Association of Wedding Professionals said.

Anderson says photographers tend to disappear, so she and others with the National Association of Wedding Professionals offers to hep.

Hamberg sent Erickson half of her $1,000 deposit, and says the rest will be paid ASAP. Additionally, Contact 6 was able to work out a resolution on those senior pictures for Joe Wirtz.

Also, one of two Contact 6 viewers got her album from A Photo Illusion after waiting for two years. She credits Contact 6 for the help.