A Personal Account to help others stay informed
ABOUT PREDATORY MARKETING PRACTICES ONGOING AT Haus of Portraiture
I created this page to share a recent experience I had with a photography business in Santa Monica called Haus of Portraiture.
My goal is not to make accusations, but to document what happened and highlight aspects that felt misleading to me—so others can make more informed decisions.
How It Started
I came across an Instagram ad from a local photography studio offering:
“Enter your email for a chance to win a free family portrait.”
The business appeared legitimate:
A real physical address in Santa Monica
An active Facebook page
100+ positive Google reviews
At first glance, nothing seemed suspicious.
The Call
The next day, I received a phone call informing me that I had “won” the free portrait.
During the call, a few things stood out to me:
The representative described the portrait as having a $3,000 value
This immediately raised a red flag for me, as that price seemed unusually high (even compared to professional wedding photography I’ve seen or personally used)
We discussed the general process and scheduled a session.
The Deposit Requirement
At the end of the call, I was asked to put down a $200 deposit.
I was told:
The deposit would be refunded after the photo session
At this point, I became uncomfortable with the situation.
The offer was presented as a free portrait, but it now required an upfront payment to proceed.
My Decision
I chose to decline the deposit and asked to cancel the appointment.
The representative sounded somewhat annoyed but did not push further.
After that, I did not receive any additional follow-up.
Why This Raised Concerns for Me
To be clear:
I am not claiming this business is illegitimate or a scam.
However, based on my experience, a few things felt misleading:
A “free” offer that requires a deposit may not feel truly free to some people
The stated value of $3,000 felt unusually high and may create pressure or perceived urgency
The structure of the offer (win → call → schedule → deposit) felt more like a sales funnel than a giveaway
Things to Watch Out For
If you’re considering a similar offer, you may want to:
Ask upfront whether any payment is required at any stage
Clarify exactly what is included in the “free” offer
Understand refund terms in writing before paying anything
Take time before committing—especially if something feels off
Final Thoughts
This page reflects my personal experience and perspective only.
Others may have had positive experiences with this business, and I encourage anyone interested to do their own research and make their own judgment.
Disclaimer
This website is based solely on my individual experience.
All statements are opinions or factual descriptions of events as I experienced them.
This content is shared for informational purposes only.
