217 complaints, nearly $1M lost in Raleigh wedding photography case, NC AG says

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Customers of Holly Christina Photography joined North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson Wednesday as he announced new developments in the state's lawsuit against the Raleigh-based wedding photography company.

"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 said during the press conference.

His office has now received 217 complaints against Holly Christina Photography since January, with reported losses totaling approximately $1 million.

Jackson said, "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 said the company ghosted them, not long after Holly Christina Photography shut down. While some customers did get their raw photographs from Holly Christina Photography and won disputes with their credit card companies, other customers say they still have nothing.

"This company was taking deposits right up until the point where they shut down," Jackson said, "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 against Holly Christina Scott Ayscue, Christopher Owen Ayscue, and their company, Holly Christina Photography. The complaint alleges that they misled and deceived brides, engaged couples, and their families by failing to provide the photography and videography services 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 said.

Despite repeated attempts by ABC11 to contact Holly Christina Photography for comment, the company has not responded.

As part of a preliminary injunction issued by the courts, Holly Christina Photography has 30 days to turn over all undelivered photographs and videos owed to customers. Under the injunction, the owners of the company are prohibited from moving, concealing, or disposing of any of their money or any customer funds without court approval while 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 said. "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 attorney general also said the Ayscues agreed not to operate while the court process plays out.

Newlywed Caroline Roach Jones got married last September and said she still has not received photos or video from her wedding in September 2025.

"We trusted them to capture the most important day of our lives, and we've been left with nothing," Jones said. "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, said she paid more than $3,000 to Holly Christina Photography for her daughter's upcoming wedding, but never got her money back after the company shut down.

"I filed three disputes, and each one got denied," Paulson said.

She said while refunds are important, "the top priority right now is just getting the pictures back in the next 30 days."

Attorney General Jackson's lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction against the business, restitution for affected customers, and civil penalties.

According to the Attorney General's Office, the business -- which primarily sold wedding photography and videography packages -- failed to provide some or all of the promised services to hundreds of customers.

Investigators say:

• At least 38 clients only received "sneak peeks" instead of full galleries or videos.
• Approximately 35 clients received only raw, unedited photos or videos despite paying for editing services.
• More than 150 customers requested refunds for deposits that were never returned.
• At least 43 wedding dates were double-booked or triple-booked, including two dates where five weddings were reportedly scheduled.
• Some couples say backup photographers were used without their approval.
• At least 96 complainants reported feeling pressured into booking through "last spot" advertising tactics.