News Summary
Dozens of couples across five states accuse wedding photographer Courtney Smith of scamming them by taking deposits for services but failing to deliver wedding photos. Victims are frustrated after reporting the incidents to law enforcement. The case is under investigation, as authorities suspect many more may have been affected. Couples are urged to be diligent when selecting wedding vendors to avoid similar scams.
Charlotte, North Carolina – A wedding photographer named Courtney Smith is facing accusations from dozens of couples across five states, including Massachusetts, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The couples allege they were victims of a scam, where Smith collected deposits for her photography services but failed to deliver any wedding photos, leaving them without the cherished memories of their special days.
The Stanly County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that at least 11 incidents related to the wedding photography scams have been reported, dating back to 2021. Victims describe a frustrating experience, as many received neither their photos nor refunds, and were unable to reach Smith for answers.
Rachel Noel, one of the alleged victims, expressed her frustration over the situation, lamenting the loss of important memories that should have been captured on her wedding day. Others echoed her sentiments, recounting similar experiences of hiring Smith, paying deposits, and ultimately being left in the dark with no communication or wedding photos.
Among those affected is Hengameh Naki, who shared that she was blocked by Smith after her fiancé attempted to contact her regarding their photography agreement. Naki and her fiancé now find themselves starting from scratch to find another photographer for their wedding.
Investigations into Smith’s activities revealed that she operated under multiple names while advertising her photography services. Moreover, law enforcement officials discovered several websites linked to Smith, with registered addresses in Charlotte and Albemarle, North Carolina. Many of the phone numbers associated with her photography business have since been reported as non-functional.
Due to the number of reports and evidence gathered, the case has been referred to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Authorities are encouraging any additional victims to come forward and report their experiences, highlighting that it is possible that many others have been swindled but have not yet taken action.
Industry professionals have taken note of the situation, with other photographers warning potential clients to conduct thorough research before hiring to prevent falling victim to similar scams. Rachel Noel emphasized the importance of carefully selecting a photographer, as capturing those fleeting moments is critical for many couples.
This incident is not the only recent issue within the wedding industry in the area. In a separate but related case, local wedding venue owner Jason Lottmann was arrested after facing accusations of defrauding couples and investors by providing wedding packages that were never fulfilled. Furthermore, another Charlotte area photographer, Ali Robbins, is also in the spotlight for underwhelming service, facing complaints from clients regarding late arrivals, failure to deliver promised photos, and lack of communication.
As the investigation into Smith’s practices continues, the focus remains on supporting and guiding those who may have been victimized in the wedding photography scams. Officials hope to raise awareness about the importance of diligence when selecting vendors for weddings and other significant events.
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Additional Resources
- wcnc.com: Charlotte Photographer Scammed Couples’ Wedding Plans
- wccbcharlotte.com: Local Wedding Venue Owner Arrested
- wcnc.com: Wedding Photographer Scam in Charlotte
- qcnews.com: Union County Wedding Venue Owner Accused of Fraud
- qcnews.com: Wedding Photographer Took Money, Left Memories
- Wikipedia: Wedding Photography
- Google Search: Wedding Photography Scams
- Google Scholar: Wedding Photography
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wedding
- Google News: Wedding Photography
Author: HERE Charlotte
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