Photographers represented by the Photoshot in the United Kingdom tell me that they are having trouble getting responses to their emails and there has been no payment for a long time.
Back in April, 2016 we wrote
this story about Charles Taylor and a new company Avalon that had acquired a number of small picture agencies including Photoshot.
Sources in the UK tell me that back in 2016 Charles Taylor launched a new company called
Avalon. He offered a number of photographers shares to join, in lieu of old debt. He was also seeking new investors who would effectively give him their company to be added to Avalon in exchange for shares.
Most people refused but Charles went ahead and transferred Photoshot to Avalon complete with all content from all contributors.
Once Avalon was up and running, Charles put Photoshot in administration. As far my source knows, no one has been paid for anything that was outstanding at Photoshot at the time of the transfer. They have been offered shares in Avalon in exchange but no money. It is unlikely anyone will get any despite Avalon continuing to trade with their content!!
It is unclear whether Charles should have been able to transfer content from Photoshot to Avalon without photographer permission. There may have been a clause in the contract. But it is not normal.
Photographers should be allowed to remove their content from Avalon, but they find it hard to do so as Avalon needs content. Only the threat of legal action for breach of copyright and contract seems to get any results.
The email address on the notification is
fnyrf@cubgbfubg.pbz, but it is also suggested trying
pgnlybe@cubgbfubg.pbz and
pgnlybe@ninyba.erq. Both still work but there is no guarantee of a reply unless legal action is threatened.