Nurha De Souza Photography Nurha De Souza She has been exploiting , exhibiting and profiting from my nude images since 2008. Los Angeles, California

I truly wish Nurha handled this situation and communicated with ME , professionally and not egotistically. ..

 I still and will never release those images to her.
 Non of these words would exist on the internet if this was handled and peace was made. 

People make mistakes . my intention for this report was to tell my story out of desperation for help and to make sure that those images were never sold again. if she had met with me and burnt the negatives ,this would have been over with , for I was willing to let it go even after she had the show. 

However , I feel she has learned a great lesson and hoping  She has become a better person and more aware of her actions. 

If you wish to hire her, please do , If you like her and like her style, images ect... please do business with her as you wish . Life is a miracle and too short. 

AMA 

As a regular commentator, Ama is amature.

"I gave her a mermaid water dance , exposing my naked flesh or 30 minutes or more. For I felt it would be a perfect story/image to add to my personal project."

"I sent her a message wishing to meet with her and that I had people possiblly  intrested in the images and that I was willing to go 50/50 with her."

"For me to be photographed naked is an act of liberation , where if i was in my country I would be stoned to death. Nude photographs of me , publicly displayed and sold as Art , are a political statement. I am banned from my country just for having public nude images of myself."

"My performance and Art has been twisted and I ended up being sold on walls in giant wall sized frames that were made into lamp boxes and once plugged into electricity , my nude image lit up the whole room if not the street!!! "

"Souza does not have the right to my images nor to jeopardize my freedom and my personal life and endanger me with political religious statements of my nude flesh and the traditional scarf." 

"This event has jeopardized me."

"I sent her a phone text message that I m willing to give her  50/50  on some of the shots"

"I was told by a friend that my images were up in frames at Bloom cafe and that he had been doing free labor on them , he was suprized I did not know about it. "

"I did not even know about the exhibit that Nurha was acctually  having with my nude images until 5 days before the show !!!??? I found out by finding a flyer at the restaurant. !!!"

"The person who mocked me [is] probably is Nurha herself  with a different name, should
know that it is a very ignorant comment."

Ama, yours are a series of ignorant and contradictory comments.  You got nekkid by yourself, did your seductive mermaid dance in a public location, offered to let someone profit 50% on what you describe as your own art project.  Nuraa seems to have courted your approval, met with you, and you made the offer (unless your words mean something else than the common interpretation in American English).  [Does amature mean not being mature, or not professional? Your ESL skills are lacking.]  Now you claim that because of these photos you can't return to the country of your birth.  Is that because you keep telling the world that you were took all your clothes off for an art project?  Give me a break.  You are slowly learning what it means to be an American.  You are responsible for your own actions is this life. 

And if you think I am Nuruah, you are mistaken.  And I am not mois either.

If you want to live in a country like the USA where you are free to be naked and take photos for "art" sake, relax.  If you are trying to make a buck and think you got screwed, go to court (although your testimony is so contradictory that any judge would probably throw your case out -- you couldn't even get Nura arrested when you claim to have been assaulted -- but that was because you didn't tell them about how she bruised you and threw you out in front of oncoming traffic.  It was all about your nude "art project" that she had stolen from you.  It must be hard coming from a wealthy family in the middle east (how else did you buy your way in here) to realize that now you and your future generations will be infidel americans.  Thats why we worship at the alter of Rock and Roll!

Or you can find inner peace by letting it all go and start enjoying life.

I never negotiated a price over the nude photos with Nurha De souza As I mentioned before , there were photos of me  where I was not nude . I was not aware of what photos she was going to use. she did that on her own. they were photos of hands only . feet only . scarf floating in water. 

when Nurha met with me to give me my photos , back in 2008 I met with her to pick up my photos and not to negotiate a show or deal with her. I had never seen those photos and I was waiting 2 years for them . The photos were for me and not for Nurha 's use. 

they were witness at the hot spring  and they know nurha and are disappointed at what she did . They were a witness that the photo shoot was not for nurhas personal use. They were for me . 

At my first meeting with nurha in the restaurant in 2008 where she was to give me my photos as we had agreed( like any normal decent photographer would) ,  Nurha suggested herself that some of the shots , like the floating scarf , hands fingers and abstract shots can be used . She said "  the images can make money and we can travel to  see our friend ------- " our friend who was also a  witness at the photo shoot in the hot springs. because our friend had just had a baby and moved to a different state.

Since Nurha was a couch surfer , I wished to do her a favor I sent her a phone text message that I m willing to give her  50/50  on some of the shots  , so that  travel  expenses could be made from the sale. I suggested in text that I needed to meet with her A.S.A.P  I also left her a voice message.  She never returned my text message. never called me back . never wrote me back.  She never tried to find me. I started to worry .

I found my nude photos on the wall and invitations for the photo exhibit at every table in the restaurant 5 days before the exhibit.I did not even know about the exhibit that Nurha was acctually  having with my nude images until 5 days before the show !!!??? I found out by finding a flyer at the restaurant. !!!
  
They photos were also images of a floating scarf in water and other abstract images , where I am not nude , however Nurha used 3 images where I am nude.  

Nurha never met with me to discuss which photos she has permission to use. Nurha never had those images approved by me because she never contacted me again and disappeared for 8 months. 8 months later , I found out trough a friend , that Nurha is indeed in town and my photos were framed and flyers were posted everywhere with my floating scarf on the cover. 

I will add a photo of the floating scarf and the image I directed  and Nurha used on the flyer for her exhibit. It is a proof that they were many many images under my direction with me moving and floating the objects to be photographed that did not involve my nudity. 

Nurha did not have my permission to use the nude photos . I never knew what photos she used. obviously I dont wear a burka, nor do I wish to wear a burka!!! but after  Nurha publically humiliated  me in 2008, I started to hide my body under layers of fat and fabric., just so no one will photograph me again and publically degrade  me , exploit me and then shame and blame me or even look at me. It is taking me years to be comfortable with my body again and feel safe. 

 the person who mocked me and says I should wear a burka for the rest of my life , who probably is Nurha herself  with a different name, should know that it is a very ignorant comment. 

Nurha is half Palestinian. Nurha knows about the sensuality under the burka.  As they say ,the more valuable the jewels the thicker the veil. 

There is no argument there!!! no matter how Nurha twists my story , the issue remains the same . NURHA DID NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO USE MY NUDE PHOTOS.

the problem here is NURHA took the liberty to choose whatever she wanted and expose me , and never gave me copies of any of the photos nor ever called me or showed me the photos a seconde time. never got a contract nor asked me to sign a release. and as time proved , I asked her to destroy the nude photos of me and not use them .

Nurha  tells me that the photos are hers and hers alone , and that she can do whatever she wants with them since she is the photographer.  Nurha does not constitutionally believe she needed my permission at all. Nurha thinks she has the right to all the pictures she takes because she is " the photographer" 

that is why she never called me back or met with me and she never even told me about the photo exhibit. Nurha did not want me to find out what she was doing . She knew as my witnesses know , I would have never and will never release those photos to her. what she is doing is illegal. 

she still is using them and she is still doing whatever she wants with them knowing I do not want her to use them . They are in a international market and I do not have access to them. 

It is apparent in all of the comments above that the truth is being twisted and the ignorant comments try to make me look at fault.  It is clear how much I am being bullied and Nurha and friends are still defending this unlawful action as if I am at fault just for existing or taking a dip in a water pond!!!!! 

obviously Nurha is making a living from the photos or she would have burnt the negatives as a gesture to make peace with me , like I wanted to, even after she had the photo exhibit with my nude images in 2008. Stolen wine is poison. 

So if you are going to be stoned to death, why were you negotiating on price?  And why are you bringing attention to this on the world stage so that the Saudis, Iranians, Taliban or other intolerant country will know that you allowed nude photos to be taken of you and that you negotiated with the infidel who took the photos?

And you still claim to be ripped off by a couch surfer who made tens of thousands of dollars off of these photos? If I were you, I would contact your embassy and plead that you were corrupted by western values -- and that you are willing to wear a burka for the rest of your life.

The country I come from if I showed the  hair on my head  , I would be considered unchaste and severely punished. 
Nudity , to be able to swim in a pond or the sea with a bathing suit or nude,  to sunbath naked , are extreme luxuries that I have experienced in the west . My old country condemns me for these images that Nurha chose to display and sell without my supervision or release. 
For me to be photographed naked is an act of liberation , where if i was in my country I would be stoned to death. Nude photographs of me , publicly displayed and sold as Art , are a political statement. I am banned from my country just for having public nude images of myself. 
The photographs that Nurha chose to make a living from , were nude photos of ME, and not some family portrait or a mug shot of cute baby , mom and dad and dogs, or for the back of a book or a rock concert. 
They were NUDE PHOTOS .  NAKED . NUDE .3 different  wall sized NUDE images of me ,in a traditional scarf!!! That is what made those photos exotic and incredible. They are not ordinary images. I am a performance Artist, what I do with my body ,the poses, gestures , the dance i dance are all profound expressions of me as an Artist of the hard life I have lived and the torture I have endured and the joy and celebration of life itself.. My performance and Art has been twisted and I ended up being sold on walls in giant wall sized frames that were made into lamp boxes and once  plugged into electricity , my nude image lit up the whole room if not the street!!!

Nurha de Souza does not have the right to my images nor to jeopardize my freedom and my personal life and endanger me with political religious statements of my nude flesh and the traditional scarf.  . These images have been taken in 2006, I only got to see them late 2008 , and they have been in the market since. to this day , october 2012 , I do not have one small print of those images. Nurha knew due to the spiritual and political and sensual content of my essence in those images, that they were worth a lot of money and could be her bread and butter. Greed , lack of integrity , survival , competition , negligence , took over Nurha de Souza and made Nurha completely oblivious to my existence ;THE WOMAN in the photos. My position in the world and my statement as a human being. 

 They are distributed worldwide and sold for $10,000 and more.  I cannot recover the value from them in small claims court nor do I have any control over the rate of its publishing and to whom and where they are being distributed and sold. 
 I have  begged Nurha de souza  for the last four years to cease these images, to burn the negatives in my presence, to stop selling them so that neither one of us will have them , yet , she and her friends and associates and organized establishments, continue to rob me of my rights and have profited from my NUDITY, and publicly humiliated me , harassed me ,mocked me, denied me ,assaulted me and then asked the police to arrest me for trespassing on their property!!! While all I seeked was justice, peace and harmony.

 What Nurha de Souza, Kathleen Pratt, Antoine Bonsorte , Jean louis Batroli , Arnauld Palatan chose to do with my images , and the business they make with my NUDITY  , has been their choice.  This event has jeopardized me and failed me. It has brought intense emotional and psychological fear ,stress ,mistrust and pain into my life. Nurha De souza is continuing to endanger my safety and freedom on Earth , in this one life that I have. It has been their choice to violate and rob me like this for their own personal fame and fortune. 
 Ama 

I have seen this again and again... photographers' use of somebody's else images without a signed contract. Very common practice. Does Nurha has a signed release/contract?

Also there is a mention of Antonio Bonsorte (sometimes called Antoine Bonsorte) whom I know from references, that in several situations was making business not exactly respectful of the other part... 

So for me it is NOT clear cut to say, as some reports pretend to assume, that Ama is at fault and Nurha is clean... I have my serious doubts... 

Plus, all the reports against Ama, sound like twisting her report and making her look bad... these reports feel like planted by friends of Nurha... 

Ama's report looks real and sincere. 

Cafune

I have seen this again and again... photographers' use of somebody's else images without a signed contract. Very common practice. Does Nurha has a signed release/contract?

Also there is a mention of Antonio Bonsorte (sometimes called Antoine Bonsorte) whom I know from references, that in several situations was making business not exactly respectful of the other part... 

So for me it is NOT clear cut to say that Ama is at fault and Nurha is clean... I have my doubts... 

Ama's report looks real and sincere. 

Cafune

Nurah has been photographing my family and friends over the past 10 years. I have only know Nurah as a wonderful, artistic and thoughtful person. She has always been kind, faire and generous in all of our interactions.

I have worked with Nurha on a couple different occasions plus I have referred her many times to clients and friends. I found Nurha years ago shooting for music professionals and then she has done head shots for me and others. I also have recommended wedding photography and pregnancy shoots to my friends to use her.

I think she is fantastic and I haven't heard of any one having a problem with her professionalism or the quality of work she provided to them.

I was shocked today when I pulled up her website and saw this posting under her site. I feel shocked and called Nurha to find out directly what had happened so I could try and help her clear this up.

There is a lot of unfortunate untruths to this original post and its sad that someone would do this to someone else especially a person you thought was a dear friend.

I highly recommend Nurha and the her creative talents run deep.

For the past 15 years, I've operated a live music events production company.  Nurha captured several of the live shows, and has photographed several of the artists I worked with over the years, including me.  

I've found her to be consistently kind and professional.  Always a pleasure to work with.  She truly brings out the best in her subjects.  

I also know the woman that posted this complaint, and feel strongly that she is out of line, as I know she is NOT operating from a professional place.  There was clearly a major miscommunication, and by now a large chunk of time that has gone by, lending to a very weak argument on her behalf.  

I am happy to provide further references on Nurha de Souza as a civil, professional photographer.

Nurha de Souza is not only an exceptionally talented photographer, but a kind, loyal and warm human being. I have hired her for several shoots over the past eight years and her photos are stunning!  I would be happy to give a personal reference to anyone interested in working with Nurha.

jennifer@jenniferpaskow.com

I have a branding business in which I hire Professional Photographers all the time. I have hired Nurha for many shoots throughout the past 10 years. Here quality of work is outstanding and her professionalism has always been spot on with me and my clients.

My clients have always been extremely pleased with the results of our work together and have been able to utilize their photos for years after. Nurha always supplies more then our expectations. The team she hires to support her, i.e. stylist, photo assistance and make-up artist have also been professional.

I write contracts for clients weekly and Nurha's contracts are always the standard professional contracts I receive from my other photographers I use. She has always stood behind her work and her contracts.

When I work with Nurha she is very humble, very creative and very focused. We collaborate to insure my clients get the shots they need. Her studio is very minimal and she usually rents equipment (which is standard) so I was a bit shocked to read in the RipOff report that was files that she was purchasing expensive computers that is simply not true.

From what I know of this unfortunate report is that there was a communication problem and that the mental state of this woman was not in the right mind. Its very unfortunate that this would lead to something like this. As Nurha has only shown me the up most professionalism in the work she has provided me with.

I have branding design studios in L.A. and S.F. and have been able to work with her on several types of shoots and not once did she display conflict or unclarity with our contracts or usage rights of photos.

I hope this Report or Person really can clear this up sooner than later with Nurha so it doesn't affect her lively hood long-term.

Nurha de Souza is a great photographer and a person of the highest integrity. She is one of the kindest people I have ever had to pleasure to meet and remains a true and loyal friend.

She took amazing pregnancy pictures of me that I will forever cherish, she was also our wedding photographer and our pictures are incredible. I am very happy to give a personal reference to anyone who may be interested in working with Nurha.

KamGi Finch - Co-Founder of Be Love Apparel

kamgi@beloveapparel.com

I am considering hiring this photographer, Nurhah des Souza, to take pictures of my family.  She seems like a really nice and generous person. 

Then I read Ama's report at RipOffReport.com. I told my partner, "No way.  I don't want to hire someone who is crooked or will misuse our family photos."  My partner read the review also, and she convinced me that how I interpreted the review was incorrect.  She pointed out that the review reflected a friendship gone bad, with one party seeking vengeance.  I went back to the report, and it does state that they were a group of friends camping.  It also said that Nurhah was homeless, or at least down on her luck, referring to her as a "couch surfer."  And Ama refers to  Nurhah ("the couch surfer") having an attorney. 

The post states that Ama wanted a 50/50 split on sales, but at the show where she was invited by a friend doing free work on the photos, she was offered only 10%?  This sounds like a disagreement over a modeling fee -- or as I said earlier, a friendship gone sideways.  I mean this is a person swimming naked in hot spring wearing "only my red scarf."  I have been to a fair number of places where individuals swim nude, and scarves are never included.  This sounds like a photo shoot.

Ama also reports that she called the L.A. Police Department? But she didn't press charges for assault after being injured on multiple occasions?  She filed Ripoff Reports against Nurhah Des Souza and Antone Bonsorte Photography, but not the gallery (Bloom Cafe) and not the attorney.

Look, I just want some nice photos of my partner, our children, and maybe our puppy.  I wish this toxic Rip Off Report had not wasted so much of my time in making a decision to hire Nurha (we will).  We live in a tough world and a tough economy.  If you have a contract, abide by its terms, and seek resolution.  If Nurhah sold photos of you and made money, take her to small claims court.  If you are friends and have a touchy feeling arrangement, can you not burden the rest of us with your drama? 

Note: I was only given around 5 to 6 mintues viewing time with the shots , Nurha covered my body parts , covering the nudity and said woudnt these be nice...if covered, we can use them , she showed me many versions, yet never left me with any prints of my images and quickly took off from the restaurant announcing that she was late....

thee were beautiful images of me , very personal and private the actual nude shots were few , for I was wrapped in a cloth , however she used the ones that were nude completely , exposing me in large prints , with me having only a vague hint of what anything of my images of myself looked like from my 10minute viewing time that she permitted me.

Basically the argument here is , that I never waived , signed or approved and I never ever wish her to have those photos for herself, to keep them , print thema nd sell them as she wishes, making a great living from them

Again, I didn't even really know what the photos looked like , i only had 10 minutes to see it in our 35 minute meeting , those images of me , Nurha just waived small prints in front of me one by one and too off leaving me in the restaurant and most importantly ,she never returns my calls .

And the real outrage here is deep within me like a fire, a dragon , sometimes consuming in deep sadness and shock, a deep guilt that how could I have made myself be robed like this?!!

How could this really be happening to me ?My body , a piece of my being , my story , is just taken away away from me. taken away , without any grace, dignity , honor of me. just robed from me right before me. taken away and SOLD !!!

The pain is deep the suffering consuming ,and I know every photographer feels like it was their hunt, their shot, their prey and especially in this case this Art , this treasure , this moment would have not come into being without my essence, my existance. me as a person a human with flesh and bones , elemental and euphoric, a human , with all my pain and joy , me denied , and sold on walls, in frames, celebrated with wine exploited for the game.

This is what pains me , the betrayel , the enslavement , the dishonor, and the way Nurha behaves as if I do notexist and they call me profane and condescending names.Tthe exploitation of the body of the woman , the sacred feminine. the essence and the drop , that is life.

I am seeking a small measure of justice, honor, and reverence.