SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - The Korea Consumer Agency issued a warning on Tuesday against deceptive photography promotions that lure customers with promises of free family photo sessions, only to charge high fees for albums, frames, or access to original image files.
The agency urged heightened vigilance during May, designated "Family Month" in South Korea, when demand for commemorative photographs traditionally surges.
Consumer complaints tied to photography services have risen steadily in recent years, according to agency data. There were 312 complaints filed in 2022, 329 in 2023, and 472 in 2024. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, 115 complaints were reported.
Of the 1,228 complaints received over the past three years and three months, roughly 15 percent involved cases where consumers were enticed by offers of "free" photography services, only to encounter unexpected costs.
An analysis of 172 cases with verified financial details found that nearly half of consumers — 47.1 percent — ended up signing contracts worth more than 500,000 won, or about $374. The average contract price was 750,000 won, the agency said.
In one instance, a customer who canceled a reservation seven days after booking a “free photo event” was denied a refund of a 50,000 won deposit. In another, a consumer was told that original photo files would only be released after purchasing frames, leading to unexpected additional charges.
The Korea Consumer Agency advised consumers to thoroughly review potential costs and contract terms before making reservations or visiting photography studios.
The agency also recommended that customers confirm which services carry additional fees before the shoot and retain copies of reservation messages, contracts, and other documents as evidence in the event of a dispute.
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