Photo of Teen with Her Uncle Surfaces in Wedding Hall Ads

A Bronx teen is suing a wedding hall and bridal shop for using an unauthorized photo of her and her uncle in ads that made them seem like newlyweds. The lawsuit filed by the family of 17-year-old Katelyn Aviles accuses the Sanz catering hall and Margie's Bridal in the Bronx of causing her "severe and serious injuries and damages" by using the photo, which wasn't even taken at Sanz! It was snapped at her sweet 16 birthday party, and Aviles's lawyer speculates that the photographer is affiliated with Sanz. Aviles says she knew nothing about the ad until friends began teasing her about a modeling career. "When I got to school, everyone is looking at me different, talking about me, whispering," she tells the Daily News. "A few of the girls I hang out with were saying, 'You think you're all that.' " The ad appeared on a postcard, which friends found in a stack in the foyer of an IHOP. Now some call her the "IHOP girl," and Aviles feels "violated." She tells the Post, "One person said, 'Who's that, your boyfriend?' I did a double take and said, 'What are you, serious? That's my uncle.' He basically raised me."

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By John Del Signore in News on September 16, 2009 1:52 PM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

She's just angry that she didn't get any wedding presents.

Barbj8

I get really annoyed when people use the term 'basically'. He basically raised me, I didn't get any extras, just the basics, bread and water, and a red dress.

JMH

That fact that she's wearing a blood-red dress doesn't tip people off to the fact that she's not a bride?

nomnomnom

The ad doesn't look that bad.

I kind of wish one of my friends would get married in one of those cliche Brooklyn or Queens wedding halls.

r1b2

The IHOP girl. Stop, yer killin' me.

Kojak

'What are you, serious? That's my uncle.' He basically raised me."

I'm sure he did. There must've been many TENDER moments that you and your uncle will remember forever. His gentle, yet, firm embrace overwhelms your senses, and covers your body in xtc.

militza

ha! you should write a romance novel.

hotstepper

for incestuous pederasts.

Kojak

Hey whatever floats their boat. If theres grass on the field...

Mr. Shankly

I'd hit that.

militza

eeeewww!!!!!

a nicer topic should be picked.

hmm, too tired of think of anything clever

*emits a tiny yawn*

robingee

>> "A few of the girls I hang out with were saying, 'You think you're all that.' " >>

Nice friends.

And then she answered, "Way to use a catch phrase from 10 years ago."

sexisicilian

she's all that & a bag of chips:)

valeriob

And a shortstack

longacre

And a bowl of grits.

valeriob

Better read the fine print in those photographer contracts. The part where it says they can use your photos for advertisements and promotional items is almost standard.

Or is reading too much to ask for these days? Please stop trying to sue, and try getting a job. Trabajo.

longacre

Using the photos for the photographer's own marketing is one thing, but selling it to a third party is a different story.

robingee

Seriously. You can't sue because idiots in your school are whispering about you. This is a good time to learn to confront and handle this type of situation, not let it ruin your life. They call her "IHOP Girl!" Give her a million dollars!