Judge Compels NC Wedding Photographers to Deliver Photos and Videos

Legal Action Taken Against North Carolina Wedding Photography Company

A Superior Court judge in Wake County, North Carolina, has issued a preliminary injunction against a local wedding photography company, Holly Christina Photography, which is accused of defrauding couples out of nearly $1 million. The ruling requires the company to deliver all edited and unedited photos and videos to customers within 30 days.

The court also froze the company’s assets, and the owners, Christopher Owen Ayscue and Holly Christina Scott Ayscue, are prohibited from operating their business while the case continues. This legal action follows a significant number of complaints from customers who claim they were scammed and never received the wedding photos or videos they paid for.

The Attorney General's Response

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced the court order during a press conference, emphasizing the importance of protecting consumers. He stated that the state will take action against businesses that engage in fraudulent practices.

“We took this company to court to get justice for brides and grooms who were left without the wedding photos and videos that they paid for,” Jackson said. “This court order is an important step in getting these couples back the memories of their wedding day. It’s also a warning to other businesses who scam consumers: if you come for North Carolinians, we’ll come for you.”

According to the attorney general’s office, the North Carolina Department of Justice has received 217 complaints from customers, with a total loss of about $1 million. Jackson noted that he has never encountered as many complaints about a single company during his time as attorney general.

Scam Tactics Used by the Company

The attorney general described how the company used deceptive tactics to attract customers. According to Jackson, the company would create a sense of urgency by claiming they were almost fully booked and only had one spot available. This strategy was used to sell expensive photo and video packages, ranging from $5,000 to $7,000.

However, the company was found to be double booking or even quintupling bookings on the same day. Some customers paid an upfront deposit of at least $1,500, and more than half of those who submitted complaints paid the full cost, averaging about $4,500 upfront.

Impact on Couples

More concerning is the fact that some couples never received the photos or videos they paid for. At least 38 clients only received a sneak preview instead of the full gallery, and about 35 were given unedited photos despite paying for editing services.

Caroline Roach, who got married last September, shared her experience of receiving only previews of her photos and no full gallery after nearly eight months. She expressed her frustration and the emotional impact of not being able to relive her wedding day.

“I didn’t receive any photos or video with my parents, speeches, our dances,” she said. “It’s been a dark time wondering if I’ll ever be able to relive my wedding day.”

Financial Strain on Customers

The closure of Holly Christina Photography on January 25 did not stop the company from taking deposits from customers. At least 29 couples were less than 90 days away from their weddings and had to find new photographers and videographers.

Alexis Sullivan and Lauren Mortell, who both hired the company for their weddings, spoke about the financial strain caused by having to hire new service providers. Sullivan mentioned the hours spent trying to find a new photographer and videographer, while Mortell expressed her nervousness about contracting with another company due to her negative experience with HCP.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

The preliminary injunction does not mark the end of the case, as Jackson seeks to shut down Holly Christina Photography and provide full refunds to affected couples. CBS 17 has reached out to the company but has not received a response.

Court records show that Christopher Ayscue, the husband and co-owner of the company, was arrested last October for assault on a female and domestic violence. He is currently out on bond and scheduled to appear in court on May 20.

While the criminal case is separate from the civil lawsuit, Jackson emphasized that the focus remains on ensuring couples receive what they are owed.

“We are tackling a lot of big cases, like FEMA, fentanyl trafficking, and Ticketmaster,” he said. “But these consumer protection cases will always be big to us because we either live in a state where you mistreat people or we don’t.”

Emotional Toll on Victims

Despite the legal actions taken, victims like Roach continue to suffer emotionally. She emphasized the significance of wedding photos and videos, stating that they are more than just memories—they are essential parts of a couple’s special day.

“Pictures and videos might not seem like the most important issue in the world, but it’s special,” Roach said. “It’s not something couples deserve to go through.”