Local photographer worried non-profit won’t pay for work

CLINTON, Okla. ( KFOR ) — A Guthrie-based photographer said she hasn’t gotten paid for photos and video she took during a Pride festival in western Oklahoma months ago.

Victoria Varga was hired to do photography and videography for the Western Oklahoma Pride Festival in Clinton back in June.

“We agreed on $600 pre-tax for me to cover the event. We set up a payment plan to be a post payment plan. Considering the nonprofit status, I was willing to work with them,” said Varga.

Varga said she and the event organizer, Chris Roland, agreed on a three-month installment plan with her getting paid on the 15th of July, August, and September.

“August 15th came and went. I sent an email reminding of the payment, just thinking that maybe had been forgotten or overlooked. From there, I didn’t receive a response for a little bit,” said Varga.

After following up multiple times, Varga finally received a response from Roland.

“It was a two sentence response saying, ‘okay, I apologize’, which unfortunately there was no action accompanying with the apology,” said Varga.

That’s until we reached out to Chris Roland ourselves to see what was going on.

Roland told News 4 “no comment”, but shortly after he contacted Varga and paid the overdue payment.

Roland did not include the late fee that was also required.

“It’s been very difficult for small business owners to just stay afloat and keep things moving. It just kind of makes it hard on me as a one person operation to keep things moving whenever payments aren’t being completed,” said Varga.

As for the final payment, Varga said she isn’t holding her breath.

“I’m hopeful that payment will be completed, but I am nervous at the same time that it won’t be considering the history so far,” said Varga.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.