217 complaints, almost $1M misplaced in Raleigh wedding ceremony pictures case, NC AG Jeff Jackson says

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Customers of Holly Christina Photography joined North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson Wednesday as he introduced new developments within the state’s lawsuit towards the Raleigh-based wedding ceremony pictures firm.

“As you can imagine, as a wedding photography company, you really have to screw up to get sued by your state’s attorney general,” Jackson stated through the press convention.

His workplace has now obtained 217 complaints towards Holly Christina Photography since January, with reported losses totaling roughly $1 million.

Jackson stated, “There was just no question that something really terrible had happened and we needed to respond quickly to it. The level of energy around this, almost unsurpassed with respect to any other issue that we have had, the visceral of the comments that we were getting and the conversations we were having with the victims, in this case, really emotional stuff.”

Troubleshooter Diane Wilson first investigated Holly Christina Photography in January after dozens of brides stated the corporate ghosted them, not lengthy after Holly Christina Photography shut down. While some prospects did get their uncooked pictures from Holly Christina Photography and gained disputes with their bank card firms, different prospects say they nonetheless don’t have anything.

“This company was taking deposits right up until the point where they shut down,” Jackson stated, “then offered no refunds, didn’t offer any help to any of these couples to try and find a new wedding photographer.”

In February, Attorney General Jackson filed a lawsuit towards Holly Christina Scott Ayscue, Christopher Owen Ayscue, and their firm, Holly Christina Photography. The grievance alleges that they misled and deceived brides, engaged {couples}, and their households by failing to offer the pictures and videography providers they promised.

“To this day, there are couples that had their day taken from them by this company that has refused to hand over the photos and the video,” Jackson stated.

Despite repeated makes an attempt by ABC11 to contact Holly Christina Photography for remark, the corporate has not responded.

As a part of a preliminary injunction issued by the courts, Holly Christina Photography has 30 days to show over all undelivered pictures and movies owed to prospects. Under the injunction, the house owners of the corporate are prohibited from shifting, concealing, or disposing of any of their cash or any buyer funds with out courtroom approval whereas the lawsuit is pending.

“We want to get all the money that we can. The first step in that was freezing the assets to make sure they can’t spend any more of the money than they already have,” Jackson stated. “Now we’re taking an inventory of the assets. I will tell you they are cooperating as far as sending us documents that we have requested.”

The lawyer common additionally stated the Ayscues agreed to not function whereas the courtroom course of performs out.

Newlywed Caroline Roach Jones bought married final September and stated she nonetheless has not obtained images or video from her wedding ceremony in September 2025.

“We trusted them to capture the most important day of our lives, and we’ve been left with nothing,” Jones stated. “It’s caused an emotional toll. A lot of anxiety. You know, my parents are really upset. I didn’t receive any photos or videos of my parents, speeches, or dances.”

Mother of the bride, Mary Beth Paulson, stated she paid greater than $3,000 to Holly Christina Photography for her daughter’s upcoming wedding ceremony, however by no means bought her a reimbursement after the corporate shut down.

“I filed three disputes, and each one got denied,” Paulson stated.

She stated whereas refunds are vital, “the top priority right now is just getting the pictures back in the next 30 days.”

Attorney General Jackson’s lawsuit seeks a everlasting injunction towards the enterprise, restitution for affected prospects, and civil penalties.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the enterprise — which primarily bought wedding ceremony pictures and videography packages — failed to offer some or the entire promised providers to a whole lot of shoppers.

Investigators say:

• At least 38 purchasers solely obtained “sneak peeks” as an alternative of full galleries or movies.
• Approximately 35 purchasers obtained solely uncooked, unedited images or movies regardless of paying for modifying providers.
• More than 150 prospects requested refunds for deposits that have been by no means returned.
• At least 43 wedding ceremony dates have been double-booked or triple-booked, together with two dates the place 5 weddings have been reportedly scheduled.
• Some {couples} say backup photographers have been used with out their approval.
• At least 96 complainants reported feeling pressured into reserving via “last spot” promoting ways.