What to know
- Multiple clients claim the photographer accepted deposits but failed to deliver on the photoshoots or respond to messages.
- Zorrina Govia’s viral TikTok detailed her own experience and prompted others to come forward.
- Some clients say they only received a response or refund after going public or threatening legal action.
- The photographer has since issued a public statement but did not respond to Now Toronto’s requests for comment. The reporter’s account was blocked on Instagram.
A Toronto photographer is facing backlash after multiple clients alleged they paid deposits for photoshoots that never happened and were later unable to reach the business.
Toronto business owner Zorrina Govia shared her story on TikTok after booking a July photoshoot two months in advance with the photographer, only to be ghosted the day of.
@goodiegoldenn come to find out he been doing this for years🧐
♬ original sound – Zorrina💕
In her video, Govia explained that the communication was rocky from the start.
Communication issues before the shoot
Before even getting in direct contact with the photographer, the business didn’t include the promo offer originally posted. So, she had to book normally and request the promo in the notes section.
Govia told Now Toronto that when the promo finally popped up, she double-booked, gave her $100 deposit and requested to cancel the other one.
Beyond her experience with the website, her communication with the photographer was much rockier.
She had tried to reschedule for a day following her original booking, without a response. But the morning of the shoot, the rescheduling was approved.
Govia said the address she was given appeared to be a townhouse complex, but she was never provided with a unit number.
“10 minutes go by, 30 minutes go by, no response,” she said in the video. “I was just completely ghosted. I was scammed. My deposit.”
She said she received no response, apology, or accountability that day, and saw the photographer actively posting on Instagram while allegedly ignoring her.
How did this experience affect Govia?
Govia had to do a photoshoot for her business, and the experience disappointed her because her hopes were high and quickly shattered.
However, she didn’t let this experience stop her from getting her photoshoot, especially after she had already paid for a makeup session.
So, she found a self-portrait studio.
“It didn’t affect me to the point where I was upset or enraged with anger because my plan was always to do two photoshoots,” she said.
Govia planned one lifestyle soft shoot and one headshot-style. Plus, she had a photographer friend who took the weight off her shoulders.
In fact, this experience opened her eyes to more female photographers with whom she felt safe.
Refund after the TikTok video
Before posting the video, Govia, by courtesy, gave the photographer a warning that she would post a review video of her experience, to which the photographer didn’t reply.
But after her viral video and other videos about similar experiences with the same photographer went viral online, the business finally replied to Govia.
“Two days after the video was going around, that’s when I ended up getting an email from him apologizing, and he did end up giving the deposit back,” she told Now Toronto.
“I was like, ‘Whoa! It took all that for you to finally respond and finally do an apology.’ It was crazy,” Govia said.
She’s seen other videos sharing similar experiences and people, have been texting her about it too; some told Govia they allegedly had to threaten legal action just to get their unedited pictures or deposit back.
“This is crazy. He’s been doing this for years. I had people talking about it from 2022,” she said.
Govia believes the photographer prioritized celebrity and influencer collaborations over paying clients, although Now Toronto could not independently verify that allegation.
“He just collabs with girls… This guy’s outside, and he doesn’t reply,” she said.
Govia said several people contacted her after the video, alleging they had similar experiences dating back to 2022. Now Toronto has not independently verified those claims.
The business issues a statement
The photographer did not respond to Now Toronto’s requests for comment before publication.
Shortly afterward, the reporter’s account was blocked. However, the photographer shared a public statement on Instagram before blocking.
“I strive to maintain professionalism at all times and remain committed to providing every client with an exceptional experience,” the statement reads in part.
“I will continue to learn, grow, and implement constructive feedback into future endeavours.”
