Kevin Valencourt MH Inc photography ripoff weird bizarre hygeine issues Niagra Falls, Ontario

I would like to first thank all of my friends, colleagues, and friends that I have done photos for in the past, for the kind words.  It’s an honour to know that I have so many people that know me, respect me and have my back.

I have had a lot of time to research what I was going to do regarding this matter, and after spending a lot of time reading, contacting attorneys, etc… I have come to the following conclusion.

As it stands, it would be next to impossible to have the article physically removed from this website. That said, I also don’t have anything against RipOff Report.  As the site is intended to be used for truthful complaints, unfortunately that doesn’t always happen, as you all know.

Since this is the case, I must once again thank all of you for helping to turn the bad publicity into good publicity.  Instead of wasting time and money going after Ripoff Report, I will be taking my lawyers advice, and following Ripoff Reports instructions on obtaining the posters information, to a tee.

The first phase has been completed, as some of you may have noticed, the 2 pictures posted by the Author of me, have been removed from the authors post due to Copyright Infringement as per the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.  After a legal notice was sent to RipOff Report, they followed the law and removed the pictures within 5 business days.

Shortly, my attorney will be requesting a subpoena from the Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix, Arizona.  This subpoena will describe the information we are requesting, in this case, since I am sure that “Darlene Model” posted false information; an IP Address would be the only useful information.  With that IP Address, we will request another subpoena to whichever provider hosts said IP, to gain the account holders real identity, which could also be the author or would lead us to the author.  Finally, with said information in hand, we will then commence legal proceedings against the author for compensation regarding Libel, Libel Defamation, and Slander.

For those that aren’t familiar with the term “Libel”, here is the definition;                         Libel is a legal term used to describe a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person.

At this point, since I am sure the author of this post is checking back on a daily basis to read all the rebuttals and such, and may now realize just how serious what they have done is and how serious I am regarding this matter, I am going to give this person(s) one chance to email me your true identity and a formal apology, against my attorneys better judgment, as he feels there should be no chances. 

I will set a time limit on receiving this email to 48 business hours, starting Thursday March 10^th, 2011 at 9:00am EST.  The email must be sent to the following address;

kevin@mhinccanada.com

If I do not receive an email from the author by the end of the 48 hours time limit set, at the given address, with the information and apology I requested.  I will commence the procedure I have laid out above, and will show no mercy in doing so.

Regards

Kevin Valencourt

I've known Kevin for the better part of 10 years in both a professional relationship, and as a personal friend.  I met Kevin while working at a call center, and Kevin has always been professional and courteous.  I've never known Kevin to have an issue with personal hygiene, or any of the asinine remarks made about him.  The poster is obviously fabricating this entire story based on holes, and inconsistencies through-out.  Why, if you felt your children, or family was in danger, would you proceed with something as simple as family portraits, if you thought the person was attemptig to "look down your 10 year old daughter's shirt".  Seems rediculous to me, and whats seems to be the majority of people commenting.

I could write for days about how rediculous this is, but I'm sure everbody already gets the idea....

The poster is writing this for personal gains of some sort, or has a *Personal* problem with Kevin, and is too infantile to figure it out like an adult.

 

First of all when I read the original report I knew it was a FAKE or BOGUS report!!  I have known Kevin for a few years now and I call tell you all he NOT the same person that was being reported on. He is very professional and courteous with his services. I have picked up the hobby of photography and I ask Kevin for tips and advice all the time. He is more than helpful and very patient in explaining sometime complicated settings. As for the hygiene complaints, that totally was ridicules and childish!  Kevin is a professional and takes pride in his work; I truly would recommend his work to anyone.
 
Trevor B.
 
Welland Ont.
 

I have known Kevin in both a professional and personal capacity for over 9 years. I have had Kevin perform 3 photo shoots now for myself and my family, and I have been enclosed in a vehicle with Kevin
for 18 hours.

First I'd like to address the statement that indicates "He seemed agitated with the children who were restless, and certainly could have been more professional."

My first photographic experience with Kevin was a shoot in a park with my then 2 year old daughter. She doesn't handle new situations well. We didn't drive at the time, and so Kevin had agreed to transport all of us to the location (Jaycee Park). Although I had been friends and colleagues with Kevin for 6 years at this point, my daughter had never met Kevin prior to this. When I put my daughter into the car seat she had a bit of a melt-down, screaming and crying as tired 2 year olds are wont to do. While I myself was humiliated, Kevin and my husband simply stood by, calmly talking about other things while they waited for her to settle down. Kevin is a busy man, but at no point did he ever seem even slightly impatient, instead he was Professional, calm, understanding, and even slightly amused at my discomfort.

I'd think if Kevin was ever going to be unprofessional, spending his own free time to perform a free service to a long-time friend and winding up standing in the hot sun listening to "my baby meltdown" would be the time he'd do it. But he didn't.

Kevin has photographed my family twice since then. One outdoor shoot and one indoor shoot. My now 5 year old is crazy about him, as are my twin daughters who are now 16. Kevin has never been anything other than protective of them as though he were an uncle. At no time during any of these 3 shoots did Kevin forget even one piece of equipment.

I can honestly say that in my experience Kevin has NEVER had a hygiene issue. Yes, in the middle of summer, Kevin sweats. We ALL do. Kevin doesn't smell badly, never has. I have also never known Kevin to be even so much as unkempt, never mind unwashed or unshaven, with the notable exception of the end of our 18 hour drive, but even then I didn't find it necessary to open the car windows.

Kevin has also never even so much as requested gas money for coming to us for the shoots, much less charged for his photographic services. In fact, that long ago summer day we stopped at DQ on the way home from the shoot and Kevin wouldn't even let me buy him an ice cream cone.

So to summarize: Shame on you, ripoff report for allowing the garbage that is the original post to be published without research. The original post paints Kevin as some sort of lascivious, absent-minded pedophile, which I find not only personally sickening, but potentially personally and professionally detrimental to Kevin. As the mother of 4 daughters ranging in age from 5 to 23, I can say unequivocally that if Kevin has seemed even the slightest bit untoward to any of them, he and I would most definitely no longer be friends. Whoever the original poster is, may you be blessed with that you deserve, 10 fold.

if kevin took photos of your family, please post them here.  i am sure we would all love to see the work he did for your family. and if they were his photos that will be proven quite easily and this situation can be done with once and for all.

that being said if you cannot post photos taken by kevin you need to delete this post and move on with your life. 

i have never known kevin to have any hygiene issues at all in the 10 years i have known him. 

Kevin is an extremely professional photographer. He takes extreme pride in his work and it shows. to accuse him of being anything but professional is complete libel.  Kevin would NEVER do anything do anything to jeopardize his business. 

Also, to claim that Kevin has a hygiene issue is comical. I have been around Kevin in the dead heat of summer outside, and never did he smell or have a sweating issue. 

To create this "report" on Kevin is just absurd. To imagine that someone has enough time on their hands to make this falsity up is pathetic.

Kevin, you are a brilliant photographer and I would be honored for you to photograph me anytime. 

I have known Mr Valencourt for a number of years.. have worked with him on a few one on one shots and a shot with my daughter.. in all instances he acted professionally and accurately without any offensive body odours or general hygiene.. I believe these accusations to be completely false and horrible. the writer needs to be taken up on charges of defamation of a good and decent character.

I have known Keven since 2007. We were in a serious relationship together, and if he were the man this bogus report makes him out to be, there would be no way I would continue to have anything to do with him or talk to him at all, yet even after our relationship failed, we continue to stay friends because of the good person that he is.


Kevin is a talented photographer and being that, there is no way he would need to return to his car that many times for forgotten equipment. I've been shooting with him in the past, and this report is nothing like the Kevin I've been shooting with.

 Kevin is professional and as a mother of 2 girls if the accusations made against him even began to describe his character, I would have stopped talking to him a long time ago. These claims are bogus and phony and the work of someone who doesn't know how to properly handle their anger issues. It should be removed.

I am writing this as a friend of  Mr. Kevin Valencourt's. I have known Kevin for approximately 6 years. I have never had an issue with his hygiene as stated in the report. 

I know that this report is both bogus and damaging to Kevin's reputation. I would trust Kevin to do nothing but a great job when talking pictures of my family. He is nothing but a professional and would do nothing to jeopardize his reputation. 

I would 100% recommend his services to anyone looking for a professional

Normally I consider that what amounts to internet name calling childish, and normally feel it would not warrant a response... however, this is a personal attack and defamation of character of a personal friend of mine... on a purported consumer advocacy site?! Shame on you ripoff report dot com... you are harboring libel. I suggest you see if a claim has any basis before allowing it on your site.

I take it the person that fabricated this nonsense has ill will towards Kevin. So be it. Keep it to childish internet name calling if you must... dont slander someone on a site that could potentially affect their livelihood! Granted, Kevin earns his living by other means, but again - this is a consumer advocacy forum... and if Kevin did make his living off of photography then your words could potentially take food off of his table, affect his credit, potentially affect the roof over his head. Do you seriously wish that on another?! What goes around comes around... and karma can be a b***h.

Kevin has done portraits of my teenaged daughters, on multiple occasions, and is completely appropriate on any visit that he has made to my home, and he is welcome here any time.

Kevin - I'm quite sure you own the copyrights to your images this individual has included with their slanderous posting.  On top of the false allegations and outright lies they've perpetrated, posting those images you own would also be illegal re-distribution of copyrighted intellectual property.

I'd be issuing a formal DMCA notice to the owner of this bullshit forum (at the very least) and demand they remove the images.  They have no 'safe harbour' legal provision they can hide behind when it comes to the Digital Millennium Act and removal of copyrighted content.

We've dealt with this ourselves many, many times over the years with our copyrighted images - if you need advice on handling it, don't hesitate to contact me.  I'd be more than happy to lend all the help I can against this.

AS the webmaster on Wellandcanals.com, I have had the opportunity to work with Mr Valencourt on a number of occasions. I have found him to be very professional in both his work ethics and appearance. He has assisted me on a number of projects and I have never once, whether traveling alone or with other companions ever noticed the slightest bit of behavior being reported above.

Dealing with public relations in my website work, I find this report listed above to be merely a slanderous attempt by someone who may have a personal beef, if you will, against Mr Valencourt and rather than confront him personally, has created the above listed report in an attempt to ruin his business.

Please do not believe any of the above listed information. He is very professional in nature and appearance and does provide excellent photography work.

Thank you

I have known Kevin for going on close to 15 years and have shot many times with Kevin while doing UE's around Niagara. I can say that this is all complete B.S . It stinks no pun intended.  I have been with Kevin on some of his shoots and the thought of him being anything less then accommodating to a model or subject is ridiculous.

Kevin is a true professional and i would be more then happy to hire him if the need arose.  Whomever had the malicious intentions to right this is obviously to afraid to speak with Kevin directly. If this scenario was even remotely close to true then why wouldn't the police be involved? Is the poster that much of a mouth breathing Neanderthal that they would jeopardize the own child's safety to save a few dollars?

There is no way that this is possible as a friend and fellow Photographer, This Hoax crap should be taken down.  

I know Mr. Valencourt and he has always been professional and his personal hygiene has never, ever been an issue.

If this alleged person had a problem with his personal hygiene, then they should have said something and asked Kevin to come back. If they felt he was staring at their young daughter, they should have said something. They could have found an excuse to get rid of Kevin instead of continuing on with the session.

This so-called report is full of nothing but lies. For one, the person can't even get the city's name spelled right. I believe this is some sort of personal attack for something unrelated and this posting should be removed.

It is clear that this is a personal attack towards Kevin. I have known Kevin for for a few years now and of the times that I've seen him, hygiene and personal appearance has NEVER been an issue with him.

I believe I know who the attacker is, and it surprises me that this person would stoop so low. Only you would be able to associate inappropriate behavior towards a child in an attack towards a professional photographer.

Kevin is one of the most professional and skilled photographers that I know. Visit his website, www.mhinccanada.com, and I promise you, you will see through these false accusations. It shocks me to believe that www.ripoffreport.com would allow such scandals to be posted on their website....

I can't even believe that someone would take the time to post such false and nasty accusations.  As Kevin's ex-girlfriend of 8 years, I think I would be a good source to speak out on his behalf. 

First of all, after living with him for that long, I would know if he had any problems with hygiene, which NEVER was an issue.  And as far as his photography goes, he only ever photographed people he knew and was trusted by them to take pictures of their kids.  I had also gone with him to a few shoots, and he was never at any time disoriented or confused at all.  He was always professional and knew what he was doing. 

And even more important than this is how he feels about pedophiles.  Nothing sickens or angers him more, so I know how much it must hurt to be accused of it.  This definitely sounds like a personal attack on him. 

So I hope when people read that report, they will take into consideration everything that has been said by those who really know him, and it will be obvious that there is no way any of it could be true. 

I would recommend him to friends and family, and if I had a young daughter, I would have complete trust in him to photograph her.

Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
It is apparent to me, and to the others that have posted on this website (I use the term loosely), that the poster is in fact a fraud. I have known Kevin in a personal and professional capacity for over 10 years now. Too many inconsistencies cloud the post, and therefore I feel it is not a reputable report to rely on.
 
In all my years of working in the legal field, I have yet to meet a woman, a mother, who would put their children in a position of such as described simply for the benefit of a cheap portrait. I would question the following:
1. If he did not portray a professional image, why would you allow him to continue onto your property and be near your children?
2. Why was he not asked to leave if you were uncomfortable?
3. If you suspected behaviour that was unbecoming towards your children, why would you not file a charge with the police? I can see that you did not, because if you had, you would have been asked to not speak about it publicly.
4. Why would your husband not speak up for his family?
5. Why would you be asked to pose if he did not have all his equipment?
6. Does his photography even appear to be of the "posed" genre? I think not.
7. If a professional appeared agitated with your children, perhaps they were acting out, and you chose not to take responsibility for having misbehaved children.
8. If you purchased pictures, the following would have had to occur:
a) You would have had to meet with him again, or had further contact with him.
b) You decided that your communications were not that bad, as you then paid him for pictures.
c) You would have included a picture in your report.
d) Your family obviously was not distraught, otherwise any professional photographer would tell you it would be apparent in the final proofs. 9. He live in St. CathArines, any local would be aware of that, plus it's in CANADA, not the United States.
 
The above questions what the poster says, however I am inclined to believe that the poster is not legit, but instead an imposter poster.
 
To the host of the report, I say shame on you for creating a precedent of fraud and pretending to wash your hands of the situation. It is disgraceful that you feel that, by not removing such reports, you set a true record of the type of service a company provides, but in that of itself, you have created the opposite. I question each and every "report" posted on this site, as there is no one taking responsibility for providing a shoddy service. An arbitration process should not cost the business $2,000.00 to dispute a fake report. It clearly says that you are not interested in hearing the truth, entertaining that your site may be a pathetic excuse of a "BBB", or that you are only interested in the profit you receive since you do not want to staff adequately to have a reputable site.
 
My suggestion to all is to do your research: not just on the company or individual you are hiring, but on the sources of information. I can say with confidence that both the poster in this matter, and the site allowing such a report to be posted publicly, are not reliable.
 
One more suggestion is to the poster: If you are ever discovered, be prepared for serious charges including, but certainly not limited to, slander, defamation of character, fraud, and fake accusations. Be prepared to be required to pay compensation for those you have hurt. Oh, and get yourself a good lawyer - you will need it.
 
As for Kevin, he is none of the things as suggested by the fraudster, except perhaps an excellent photographer.
 
Yours truly,
 
A lifelong resident of the Niagara Region
 
(contact me at information provided)

I have known Kevin for almost ten years now and have worked along side him both in a professional career and as a photography hobbyist and I have to say that I am absolutely appalled by this report.

In my time of knowing Kevin I have never known him to forget equipment, have a grubby appearance, smell or any of the other allegations listed.  In all actuality Kevin has always been well prepared for any occasion, groomed sufficiently and pleasant to work with.  Anyone that actually knows Kevin would know this report about him is 100% inaccurate and whoever filed it obviously has nothing better to do with their time then to set up a hoax against someone who has never done anybody any harm.

Also, as previously said...  If the person filing the report thought Kevin was such a threat to his child, why wouldn't the parents have contacted the Police?  So many things in the report don't add up and it all shows that this is just a feeble attempt to bring down the reputation of a good Man.  I stand beside Kevin and encourage the alleged victim to post the pictures that Kevin took of his family with all the EXIF information intact. 
 

I have known Kevin for many years and I believe this report is a hoax.

I have watched Kevin's photography career develop over the years, and he has always been polite, courteous and professional and I highly doubt this person's "claim" is real.

For those that know Kevin, or have ever visited his site he is mostly interested in photographing architecture and landscapes and he has only done portraits for close personal friends and family. His facebook group is only used to share his work and sell prints.

I have known Kevin for many years and have never seen any problems with his personal hygiene, his professionalism or his manner around young children, and I highly doubt the legitimacy of this claim.
I believe this is some sort of personal attack for something unrelated and this posting should be removed.

I have modeled for Kevin several times, some times were planned and others were spontaneous, and he has never been anything but professional. He has never charged me, EVER!
The first shoot we did was one that I requested. It consisted of nude modeling. I was uncomfortable at first, but he helped me work through that. Within ten minutes, maybe less, we were getting amazing pictures and I was as comfortable as I've ever been in front of a camera.
The other times were so that I could have professional photos of articles of clothing I had designed and made for myself, in hopes to further a fashion career.
To this day, Kevin and I are still friends, although I have moved far away. He is nothing but kind and professional.

First may I say that I was shocked and dismayed to witness the deliberate slander and obvious personal attack on an upstanding young man I have known for more than 15 years.

Kevin has spent the last few years trying to build a name in the difficult field of "Artistic" photography.  He is not a family photographer by trade or choice and only does portraits occasionally to help fund his pusuit to have his artwork exhibited in a gallery setting, which if you wish to look at do not include any portaits of people or families, but of landscapes and interesting locations.

I took the liberty of extensively searching the name Darlene Model, not suprisingly this was a fabricated name.  The surprise came when I began clicking on the links that did come up on all my searches and was led to several questionable sites.  All of these sites had pictures of young scantily clad latino girls in juniour style clothing sucking on lollipops, blowing bubble gum bubbles and soap bubbles in a way that was obviously meant to mimic teenaged or younger girls.

It is unfortunate that www.ripoffreport.com which could be a worthwhile and informative website would allow itself to be tricked in this manner that it has now actually provided a search link to the type of pictures someone interested in young girls would enjoy.  In closing I hope no intelligent people who have the misfortune of stumbling onto this completely fabricated report will give it any credance.

Shame on you www.ripoffreport.com for not double checking information in this report to validate it in anyway and ensure that names used were not intended to lead people to pornographic websites.

I have previously hired MH Inc. Photography as an onset photographer for a motion picture and these are my observations:

- Kevin Valencourt was professional, courteous, well-mannered and extremely helpful. 

- Kevin Valencourt had no issues with personal hygiene. 

- There were several young children on set, that were photographed, and Kevin Valencourt did not act in any deviant way. He was kind, attentive and was extremely helpful in making the children comfortable around the camera crew and cast.

- Kevin was detailed, had his equipment ready and knew what he was doing.



In regards to the accusations made against Kevin, they are in my opinion false and he has provided a means in which the original poster would be able to prove these accusations are true.

As a husband and a father, if I suspected a photographer to be learing down my daughters top, I would halt the session and would not proceed based upon "getting a good price"

I suspect this is a false report altogether, and the original poster may find themselves with legal ramification. This is clearly defamation of character.

If you suspect a person is a pedophile would you not contact the police? Or would you simply post a scathing message on a web site?

Again, this shows the original poster is simply a liar.

As for the request for monies in exchange to delete this original accusation, that is a more serious crime, extortion. In Canada, that can acquire a 10 year jail sentence.

***

For those who are looking for a great photographer, have no worries. Kevin Valencourt is a long-time resident of St. Catharines and the Niagara Region with a lot of references.

I am the owner of KA Productions Inc. based in Welland.  I have known Mr. Valencourt for close to a decade both professionally and personally.  We have worked together on numerous occasions and I've gotten to known him quite well on a personal level in the past ten years.

I read the comments concerning Kevin's demeanour during a recent photoshoot with dismay and disbelief - knowing full well his perceived behaviour was grossly mis-interpreted by the client.  Kevin is both a talented, experienced and consummate professional and the accusations made against him with regards to inappropriate attention towards adolescents would be highly uncharacteristic and unfounded in fact.

I'm not sure of the motivation behind said client making public accusations of this nature towards Mr. Valencourt - but I will certainly vouch for the fact this is not indicative of his personal or professional conduct.  I would be willing to give testimony with my personal and professional character reference in an open court of law if required. I can be contacted for further reference in regards to this matter through the contact information provided.

 

I would first like to start out stating, I am not sure what kind of company allows trash like this to be posted about a person or business without verifying the authors information first.  I would like to take this opportunity to break down this report about myself, and expose all the lies and incorrect information.

1.  Whomever posted this report states they live in St. Catharines.  Normally one who lives in St. Catharines can SPELL St. Catharines.  If you notice, this poster made a common mistake in the spelling, of someone that doesn't live in the city or even CLOSE for that matter.

2.  I have never once photographed a Husband, Wife, son, daughter portrait.  I welcome the poster to provide date, time, location, and also since they stated they have pictures taken by me.  The EXIF Data to prove that the pictures were taken by me and by my specific camera and lens.

3.  Any portraits I have EVER taken, which is very few to begin with, have never been charged for.  I don't advertise these services on my Facebook Fan Page or my webisite, and never will, I have only done portraits of people that I know and trust that are good friends.  No money has EVER been exchanged for them.

4.  I don't personally know, nor have I ever done business with a person or model named Darlene.  And I am calling "her" out to provide the date these photos were done, once again with EXIF data, which I am sure will prove that I was working at my FULL TIME JOB, or I have a solid ala by for my where abouts.

5.  My hygiene has never been an issue, and I an sickened by the thought of anyone that looks as small children in the way that was described in this report.   

It makes me sick that someone would stoop this low, spread such lies about someone, even if they had a problem with said person.  It's one thing to post legitimate facts, but this is a complete load of crap, defamation of character and outright slander!  If this site houses a moderation team I am surprised this was permitted to even be posted.

All publicity is good publicity, anyone that knows me, or has ACTUALLY worked with me, knows what kind of person I am and knows that this report is all lies, and a personal attack on me.

For the record, I was made aware of this report from an email I received from a company called "RepCleaners", oddly enough only 2 days after this nonsense was posted about me.  It basically stated that this nasty report about me could be buried for the "Right Price" for no one to see again.