THIS IS NOT A PHOTOGRAPHER WHO HAS STOLEN IMAGES
TLDR; Is it OK to take people’s money then reschedule workshops to different years (sometimes multiple times) without refunding?
I don’t even know where to start with this post about Sallee Photography other than knowing NOT to name any child of mine Brinkley.
I’ve been in the industry for about 16 years and for all of them Sallee Photography has always been humming along in the background. JB and DeEtte run Sallee Photography out of Texas and often seem to be running workshops with a few weddings and portrait sessions mingled in.
Sallee Photography is a well-decorated member of the PPA, WPPI and probably a million other organizations that I don’t know. JB especially is (or was) the darling of the Texas PPA which is how I actually found out about him after somehow stumbling into their party at my first WPPI.
JB Sallee, who is the main man running Salle Photography, is also a ProFoto Legend of Light.
DeEtte, tends to run the backend of the business and is generally not at the forefront of a lot of the drama but she *is* still a part of the business and is at many of the workshops.
Sallee Photography workshops have been sponsored by WPPI, Queensberry, Sew Trendy, and LaCie.
In the summer of 2012 JB Sallee and Joe Buissink were going to tour with the now defunct Sallee School across the US and do a bunch of cheaper one day workshops. The full cost was $99 but many used codes from various partners for the Sallee School and paid $49.
The summer tour with Joe Buissink was cancelled and at the time, allegedly, JB blamed Joe’s health for the reason that the “Summer School” part of tour didn’t go forward. Joe refuted this and it was a bit of a scandal there for a while.
The Sallee School tour did bumble on to a few dates with other random photographers stepping in to co-host with JB but the vast majority were allegedly cancelled, especially in the latter half of the tour. I’ve had quite a few people message me stating they were never refunded but didn’t push it too hard because it was not a lot of money. IMO any money you pay was earned and you deserve a refund if you don’t get what you paid for!
Over the next few years there was a few other workshop tours but I believe all went off as scheduled. There was also always the general dusting up from some dramatic declaration from JB on Facebook and the fallout that usually ensued. For the most part it was just normal FB drama like the Brinkley mess (posted above) and a tiff between JB and Gary Fong.
Then in late 2019 I saw that JB was heavily advertising a destination workshop in Chernobyl which got some chatter going. It was scheduled for August 5-9, 2020. Not only did it just seem… distasteful… to take a ribbon gowned model to a place that caused the deaths and health issues of so many thousands of people but it also seemed like a risky choice given the political climate. There were also questions regarding how one would legally obtain the correct visas to work and photograph with a class inside the exclusion zone. Also, I’m going to be pedantic but it is Pripyat that they were advertising, not Chernobyl but I guess that doesn’t sound as flashy.
Per some of the attendees, in early 2020 before the pandemic shut everything down, JB allegedly told the class via their Facebook Group that the workshop would no longer be a portrait workshop like they booked but instead would be a landscape photography workshop. Those that wanted a portrait workshop could switch to another location but no refunds would be given he told them. Allegedly shortly before the trip, one attendee confronted JB about the status bc at the time the quarantine rules were pretty strict for Ukraine (2 weeks of quarantine) and they were getting close to the date to leave. That person was allegedly kicked out of the group and not refunded even BEFORE the first trip happened for simply questioning JB. Eventually JB told the remaining people in the group that the trip was being postponed due to covid to August of 2021 but it would remain a landscape workshop. The person kicked out and blocked was refused a refund.
Almost another year goes by and around May of 2021 the remaining members of the group (and allegedly a few new ones picked up via Clubhouse) were starting to rumble about if the trip was on or not because allegedly JB had not had much to say in the group. He eventually does appear and asks the group if they want to postpone again to 2022.
Thankfully everyone had put off making travel arrangements since they had begun to be doubtful of this trip ever actually taking place with JB allegedly acknowledging he didn’t have a lot of information about how they were going to get into Chernobyl or if they were even still doing tours. Finally about 2 months before the trip was supposed to take place in 2021 JB officially announced that it had been moved to August 8-13, 2022.
At this point attendees started to request a refund, which allegedly only one person from this group received while being told they could NOT tell anyone from the group. Sallee Photography informed those requesting refunds that the workshop wasn’t cancelled, it was rescheduled and so they didn’t have to refund like the clause said despite telling everyone before they could get a refund if they chose.
As we all know now, Chernobyl has not been able to be accessed since early 2022 due to the war between Ukraine and Russia, where Chernobyl has been a site that’s been fought over between the countries. So even *if* he still wanted to use the whole “it’s rescheduled TOTALLY not cancelled” line it HAS to be cancelled now because you CAN NOT GO TO CHERNOBYL.
Eventually JB deleted the Chernobyl Facebook Group and then his Facebook profile altogether. JB has asserted that the profile was deleted due to hacking, as has DeEtte who has created a new profile. Since they were unable to reach JB via Facebook the attendees emailed, sent website contacts through but they have allegedly got nothing back other than the original canned reply that they can’t get a refund but can roll their enrollment over to another workshop per the contract. But remember, the original one in 2020 said that if it was cancelled they would get a full refund.
JB keeps asserting that the workshop hasn’t been cancelled, it is postponed even though clearly it cannot take place. These people are not only out the $2500+ they have paid for a workshop that cannot take place but also a few had booked flights and travel arrangements for either the original or rescheduled dates. To date, Sallee Photography has yet to host the 2020 workshop in Chernobyl.
BUT WAIT, there’s MORE!
So, I’ve highlighted Chernobyl because that’s a location that absolutely cannot be rescheduled and as of right now is not currently even showing on their website as upcoming. However, that’s not the only workshop that has been “rescheduled” (sometimes in perpetuity) that I’ve been messaged about. Since I already got deep into the nitty gritty above I’m not going to do the same again but just know that basically the same song and dance applies to these workshops.
Scotland 7/18/2020 $2500/attendee reported cost – When this trip had to be rescheduled due to covid, JB offered to either refund the attendees or roll over to the following year. Most (if not all) allegedly took the offer to roll over to 2021. However, the 2021 workshop didn’t happen and I can’t find if 2022 happened either. When asked for a refund JB refused, with at least one attendee eventually suing him in small claims court, and winning (the refund has not yet been paid).
Santorini Fall 2020 $2500/attendee reported cost – Originally this workshop was advertised and many booked in 2019 for the fall of 2020. This date was rescheduled for 2021 (which did happen). Some could not make the new date, some were ghosted when inquiring about the new date and if they could be rolled over to it – allegedly there are still attendees who did not get refunded.
Salt Flats 10/21/2020 $299+/attendee cost – This is part of the 10 City Tour in 2020. I do not have the information as to what the reason was for this workshop cancelling allegedly pretty last minute but it was. Shortly before the rescheduled date in March, Sallee Photography reached out to at least one attendee to let the know of the new date. They could not make it due to needing more time to prepare for childcare and couldn’t make it. They were allegedly not refunded citing the clause that there are no refunds given despite the ad for the workshop clearly stating that there would be a refund given if the event was cancelled for any reason. Another attendee was actually there waiting for JB who allegedly claimed he was at the park but the attendee searched his dropped pin location for almost 2 hours without being able to find him and left.
France 3/15/2021 $2500+/attendee – This workshop was cancelled and allegedly at least some of the original attendees were ghosted and never were offered a place in another workshop. Another workshop did happen in 3/2022 in France but the original was only JB whereas the rescheduled date had multiple speakers and had a higher cost.
Hawaii 5/30/2022 $5500+/attendee – This workshop was cancelled, although Sallee tried to move to a future date it appears that there was no Hawaii workshop on the books for 2023. At least one attendee was able to get a refund with their bank when refused by Sallee Photography.
Italy 7/11/2022 $5500+/attendee – JB, DeEtte and 8 other speakers were meeting in Italy for a workshop in July of 2022. Allegedly during the workshop in France of March 2022, it was mentioned offhandedly that Italy was being cancelled/postponed/rescheduled (whatever freaking term you want to play with depending on your sympathies with Sallee Photography by this point). Original attendees were allegedly never officially notified of the change in dates, the infographics and links just all changed to reflect the new dates in 2023 but the information no longer reflects what speakers will be attending. The attendees have allegedly mostly been ghosted with no answers from JB or DeEtte regarding if they’re enrolled in the new dates, who is speaking or if they will refund.
In 2022 Sallee Photography was running a 20 City Tour for originally $399/attendee. Eventually that price was lowered to $299/attendee after he sent out this email to Help Us Save Sallee Workshops! Some of the cities on the list were NYC, Boston, Des Moines, Detroit, Chicago, San Antonio, San Francisco, Ft. Worth and Olympic National Park. Some of these dates would be cancelled and at least one had a last minute date change.
NYC 10/9/2022 $299/attendee – This was part of the 20 City Tour in 2022. Shortly before the scheduled date JB emailed the group booked for Bethesda Terrace moving the date to the following day, 10/10. At least one attendee could not make it due to a scheduling conflict and has not been refunded.
Oh I found this bit in the email to NYC Attendees interesting (it went out to all those in the 20 City Tour), “…do our best to stay on public land and have all required permits and pay all appropriate fees.” DO YOUR BEST? That should be something that is a definite when hosting workshops but maybe I’m just a crazy rule follower.
San Antonio 10/15/2022 $299/attendee – Part of the 20 City Tour. This date was allegedly cancelled.
Ft. Worth 11/6/2022 $299/attendee – Part of the 20 City Tour. This date was allegedly cancelled and no refund was given. Note the clause in the contract from the website.
There are a few 2022/2023 workshop dates that are posted on Sallee Photography’s website currently but it is unclear if any of the ones that were supposed to happen already (Alaska, France) have taken place or what the status is for the others (Italy, Norway).
Regarding resolutions for those that are owed money…
The attendees have reached out, often originally via their Facebook Group each workshop had led by JB but often were ghosted or blocked by JB when asked for a status on their refund or rescheduled dates. They also reached out via email, website contact form, cell phone and certified letters attempted to be sent to the Sallee’s home.
A couple were able to get refunds via their banks but most have been stonewalled due to the amount of time between when they put their deposits down (some all the way back to 2019) and when the workshop was supposed to happen.
JB and DeEtte both claimed to have been hacked on Facebook and their accounts disappeared in August 2022. JB has apparently left the platform completely while DeEtte has created a new profile.
The new Sallee Photography Facebook Page has comments turned off and claims the old one was hacked.
DeEtte is still advertising for mini sessions and linking their new Sallee Photography VIP Page instead of their traditional Facebook Page.
JB apparently has not got back on Facebook but he is on LinkedIn which shows that he is now pursuing a career as a pilot with American Airlines Cadet Academy and Envoy Cadet Academy. He enrolled in August 2022. He appears to do a LOT of networking there for his newest piloting endeavor.
I do not have the cost breakdown of the Envoy Cadet Academy which appears to be an additional course you can take to advance further once fully trained by the American Airlines Cadet Academy but the cost for the AA one is $99,400.
I already know that Sallee Photography’s defense is that all workshops are non-refundable and those that paid agreed to that (despite the ads for the ones from 2020 stating they would be refunded if the workshop was cancelled and same for the 2022 20 City Tour).
I also know that I had two different contract lawyers look into the contract Terms and Conditions on their website and, as one put it, “that isn’t worth shit.”
Also, note that the only place it’s mentioned that this workshop is not refundable is under the travel changes due to COVID. The workshops that had this set of T&Cs were not reportedly cancelled due to COVID (allegedly no reasons were given as far as I have been told).
The ones that were affected in 2020 had contracts from 2019 where the ads stated the workshops were refundable if cancelled for any reason (as seen above).
If you have more information about dates that were cancelled/rescheduled in perpetuity or anything else you’d like to talk to me about regarding this please feel free to email me or message me via Facebook.
Summary: to date I have almost 30 people that are owed refunds up to about $30K by Sallee Photography. 10 original workshops (13 dates total) that have not gone forth on their scheduled date. While JB claims that they are postponed, many of these workshops were paid for in 2019 for workshops that have yet to take place. At least one person has taken him to court and won, yet has not been paid yet.
Update 5/2/2023: I added more information and dates that were cancelled above. Also adding the below!
People keep saying, well why would anyone book with JB? He does have a reputation that precedes him. Who would WANT to spend a vacation with him or hell, even join his workshop as a speaker? Sure he’s talented but…
What I’ve heard is this: during the pandemic an app that became a big deal for a short time was Clubhouse. For those who missed this flash in a pan it was an app that basically where you’d join a room and talk shop, or whatever the room was about. Since there were a lot of bored/scared photographers, there was a LOT of photography related rooms.
Allegedly JB was on there a LOT and was constantly hyping himself. He talked a VERY good talk, lording around these rooms that included other well known industry leaders while bragging about his many awards and the locations these workshops have taken him with well known sponsors. It SOUNDED impressive and he did have the work to back it up. If you hadn’t been in the industry a long time you may not have heard the earlier gossip about JB or seen one of his typical Facebook rants.
Not only did JB gain some bookings for upcoming workshops but this is also allegedly where he gained some speakers from these rooms who believed the hype and didn’t know the stories from before. This group also became close knit and much like a Facebook group they became friends and wanted to travel after the shutdown to see each other. JB leading a class with some speakers from this group seemed like a wonderful rainbow at the end of a dark year.
I also have been messaged and told many, many more stories. Everything I am hearing just underscores how wildly unprofessional Sallee Photography/JB Sallee in particular has allegedly been not only to workshop attendees but also other professionals working alongside him for these events.
One story from a workshop in the Great Sand Dunes with the now apparently defunct Campfire Workshops had JB allegedly telling an attendee that he couldn’t use flash because they didn’t have a permit to be shooting there. Other classes that did go forth were told, repeatedly, to act as if this was just a group of friends playing because they didn’t get the proper permits for shooting in the areas they were at (which are often required when doing anything commercial).
Another told a story about how they went with him to one of his first overseas workshops where the attendees were encouraged to bring their families along. One person brought their child who was well behaved but JB was so unkind to this child that he ended up in tears over his behavior.
There is another side of alleged unprofessional behavior also. Too many stories have come forth about JB being allegedly inappropriate with various models, makeup artists, and photographers. Most want to stay off the record as they are scared of JB but if you look into the comments on the Facebook Page you’ll find a few who are talking about their stories and it’s just sad and infuriating.
Since my original post many of the people awaiting refunds from JB have reached out to him again but have been met with silence or shuffling them from his LinkedIn messages to email the studio and THEN silenced. I have yet to hear of anyone being refunded.