Laravel 4 PHP: 'Use' statement with both local files and package files - php

Question

I am trying to include a custom defined validation file that is local to my system and wish to use it with 'package' files from an application I downloaded online. The purpose is so that I can have my own custom validators since I made modifications to this application.
I keep getting the error -> 'Class 'Models\Validators\Photo' not found'
Controller:
use JeroenG\LaravelPhotoGallery\Controllers\AlbumsController; /* From Package */
use JeroenG\LaravelPhotoGallery\Controllers\PhotosController; /* From Package */
use JeroenG\LaravelPhotoGallery\Models\Album; /* From Package */
use JeroenG\LaravelPhotoGallery\Models\Photo; /* From Package */
use Models\Validators as Validators; /* Custom local file */
class EditPhotosController extends PhotosController {
public function __construct()
{
parent::__construct();
}
public function update($albumId, $photoId)
{
$input = \Input::except('_method');
$validation = new Validators\Photo($input); // Here's where error occurs
/* Validation check and update code etc. */
}
}
}
Photo.php -> File path: Models\Validators\Photo.php
namespace Models\Validators;
class Photo extends Validator {
public static $rules = array(
'album_id' => 'required',
'photo_name' => 'required',
'photo_description' => 'max:255',
);
}
Is this just a simple namespacing issue?

Answer 1

The most likely problem is that composer doesn't add file Models/Validators/Photo.php to the autoload index. Make sure you have provided correct path for your files in composer.json.

Answer 2

Try running
composer dump-autoload
to regenerate the autoload files.