The Kirpa Sudick Collaboration: Lessons Learned in Influencer Photography

When it comes to influencer photography, collaborations can either be a huge win or a cautionary tale. Our recent experience working with Kirpa Sudick and Sydney Lotuaco, both former contestants on the TV show “The Bachelor,” serves as an important lesson in the intricacies of such partnerships.

The Beginning: A Promising Collaboration

Our lead photographer, David Harvey, initiated the collaboration by reaching out to Kirpa Sudick via Instagram. As a fan-favorite contestant from the 23rd season of “The Bachelor,” Kirpa was quick to agree and even suggested that Sydney Lotuaco could join the project. Everything seemed to be aligning perfectly for a photo shoot in Hollywood, California, scheduled for September 29, 2019.

Smooth Sailing: Until It Wasn’t

David Harvey recounts, “Everything went fine until a certain point. Both Kirpa and Sydney signed the model release forms, posted some photos, and we didn’t encounter any issues.” That was until David found his photographs being used in a paid partnership post on Sydney’s Instagram account, endorsing Match.com. Shockingly, there was no credit given to David or Blugraphy.

The Unfolding Drama

When confronted, both Kirpa Sudick and Sydney Lotuaco cited technical issues for not tagging David. They mentioned, “It’s not letting us tag you in the photo because it’s already up but happy to tag you in the caption.” Shortly after, Kirpa also posted a similar “paid partnership” post, once again neglecting to mention our photographer.

Taking Legal Measures

Our team didn’t take this lightly. We contacted Instagram’s intellectual property department and succeeded in getting all the unauthorized posts taken down within 7-9 hours. Additionally, we reached out to Viral Nation, the agency involved in the paid partnerships, offering them a chance to rectify the situation financially. We are currently awaiting their response.

Who is Kirpa Sudick?

For those who might not be familiar, Kirpa Sudick gained fame as a contestant on the 23rd season of “The Bachelor.” Hailing from California, Kirpa works as a dental hygienist in her father’s dentistry business. She enjoys hiking, reading, cooking, and swimming. And yes, flossing is a deal-breaker for her!

Final Thoughts

Collaborations with influencers like Kirpa Sudick can offer immense value, but they also come with challenges. It’s essential to have clear agreements and to be vigilant about how your work is used, especially in the age of social media and paid partnerships.

Have Questions?

For any inquiries about this incident or our services, please use our contact form or send an email to [email protected].

Related Bios

Sydney Lotuaco: Also a contestant on the 23rd season of “The Bachelor,” Sydney is a professional dancer for an NBA team. Despite her career success, love has been elusive; she’s never had a boyfriend.