Dozens of couples accuse photographer Courtney Smith of scamming them by taking deposits but failing to deliver wedding photos.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dozens of couples across at least five states say they were scammed by the same wedding photographer who allegedly took their deposits but failed to deliver promised services, leaving brides and grooms without photos from their special day.
The photographer, identified as Courtney Smith, is accused of defrauding couples in Massachusetts, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina and South Carolina, according to victims who spoke with WCNC Charlotte. The Stanly County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed at least 11 pending incidents related to wedding photography scams dating back to 2021.
“We were a victim of a horrible scam,” Rachel Noel, one of the alleged victims, said. “We don’t have photos, no refunds, and no answers.”
Multiple couples described a similar pattern: They hired Smith to photograph their weddings, paid deposits, but then received no photos and no communication from the photographer.
“She blocked my number,” said Hengameh Naki, whose fiancé added, “We don’t have a photographer, she has our deposit, and we’re kind of starting over at this point.”
The case has drawn attention from other photographers in the industry. Jachele Cohen, a photographer who said Smith contacted her to cover a wedding at the last minute, told WCNC Charlotte that she was never fully paid for her work.
“She’ll do a couple weddings under the name, the current name but then she’ll switch it up,” Cohen said.
Investigators found various websites associated with Smith, some linking to Charlotte and others to Albemarle, North Carolina. Multiple phone numbers associated with the photographer were no longer working, according to WCNC Charlotte’s investigation.
The Stanly County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Smith lived in the area and said the case has been transferred to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Officials are encouraging additional victims to file reports.
“Clearly she’s been doing it to more than one person who hasn’t spoken up,” Noel said. “The floodgates literally opened and the amount of people that reached out to me was unbelievable.”
The alleged victims are now warning other couples to thoroughly research photographers before hiring them.
“Take who you choose to take your pictures incredibly seriously,” Noel said. “You cannot get these memories back.”
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