Seeing as weddings are supposed to be celebrations of love, you’d think they’d be more fun to plan. Alas, that’s not always the case.
From the occasionally predatory “wedding tax” to complicated wedding ring logistics, there truly is no end to the financial pressures—or headaches. And one major stressor can be hiring the wedding photographer.
Enter Sarah Cline (@sarahhhcline). She is currently going viral on TikTok for sharing a multi-part saga about her quest for a wedding photographer—and being possibly scammed as a result.
‘I don’t know what’s true and what’s not’
It all began on Jan. 17, when Cline posted a photo to TikTok. It has since accumulated over 1.6 million views. Cline overlaid text on the photo, asking her followers if not hearing back from a wedding photographer is “normal.”
“Okay I’ve emailed my wedding photographer 3 times within the last 2 months after paying in full to set up the complimentary engagement session and haven’t heard back,” Cline wrote. “Is that like normal? I’m getting anxiety and I’m so type A I just want to set up the session.”
In the comments section of this picture, one commenter asked if she was referring to wedding photographer Holly Christina. Cline liked the comment and replied in all caps, “YES.” Another commenter replied, “My bestie had to take her to court for her deposit back,” in response.
Later that same day, Cline posted another photo, this one featuring her face edited with clown makeup on it. Text overlaying this picture reads, “How I feel getting scammed by my wedding photographer/videographer.”
A day later, she shared a short video update in which she reveals she’s “disputed the charges” and “found a new photographer and a videographer.”
But wait, there’s more
But the real meat and potatoes come in the form of the most recent long video Cline posted on Jan. 18. In it, Cline offers viewers a full “story time” on how she got here with Holly Christina photography.
“I got engaged in November, and I posted a video asking for recommendations for literally everything in North Carolina because I’m new to the area and I’m getting married here,” Cline begins. “A lot of people recommended this girl, and a lot of her work was seen in, like, People magazine, Marry Me, North Carolina. Like, her work is beautiful, it’s great. And she offered both photography and videography,
which is exactly what I wanted.”
Cline says Christina offered her a deal. If Cline booked the “last spot for a fall discount” and paid for a certain package in full, rather than in installments, Christina would give her an “additional ten percent” off the price. This is on top of the initial 20% discount. This would bring it down from $10,000 to “a little under $7,000.”
Cline says, “I trusted her because, like I said, she’s very well known. Her stuff is featured in magazines, and her work is beautiful.” But then, Christina’s responses apparently dried up.
She tries again
Cline emailed her after Christmas, just a few weeks after booking. She requested the “free complimentary engagement session” and “a shot list” requested by her wedding venue. No answer. Chalking it up to the holiday craze, Cline tried again after New Year’s, with no luck. Same thing in mid-January.
At this point, Cline decided to do some digging. She found an endless sea of complaints about Christina’s clients not hearing back from her.
“It comes to my conclusion that there are 30+ brides going through the exact same that haven’t gotten pictures, haven’t heard from her, have been ghosted by her,” Cline says. “She’s no-showed weddings. So much is going on, and I don’t know everything. I don’t know what’s true and what’s not.”
What is this wedding photographer up to?
Christina, for her part, posted a Facebook update in January saying her “family has been navigating a serious and unexpected medical emergency.” The post said Christina “has been hospitalized twice” and encouraged existing clients to reach out and settle their affairs.
A few days later, a second post announced the shuttering of Holly Christina Photography altogether. Christina’s Instagram bio reads, “Business doors are now closed,” with her official website echoing the same thing.
Some of Christina’s photography peers, along with previous clients, ended up seeing Cline’s videos. They expressed a suspicion that something terrible truly has happened, rather than this being a scam situation.
“This makes me so sad!” a previous client wrote in Cline’s comments section. “She did my wedding in May 2023 and everything was great. Makes me wonder if there’s really something bad going on.”
“I don’t know them personally but I am also a wedding photographer and videographer in NC and she had built a very reputable company and this switch up is wild,” another viewer commented. “I do feel like something bad has happened. It is a crazy switch up.”
Is something else afoot?
ABC 11 reports that some of Christina’s ghosted brides suspect she has blocked their numbers, and no emails seem to be getting a response. ABC 11 also reports that Christina’s husband, “Christopher Owen Ayscue, who shares an address with the company and is listed as the company’s CEO and owner on his Facebook page, was arrested and charged with assault on a female and domestic violence.”
“The North Carolina Department of Justice says it has launched an official investigation into a Raleigh wedding photography company after receiving 89 complaints from brides who say they paid the company thousands of dollars but never received responses or their photos,” WRAL news reports. “More than 150 brides say they are collectively out of $540,000 after Holly Christina Photography took their money but never provided their services or never released the photos already taken.“
Cline says she hopes “whatever is happening behind the scenes with [Christina] and her company
and her family … gets situated.”
Wedding photographer scams: What to watch out for
While it’s unclear whether Cline’s situation is a racket, there are definitely con artists out there preying on married couples-to-be. One of her viewers even commented that she “had to sue [her] photographer in small claims court” to get her wedding photos. However, several brides and seasoned photographers offered advice in Cline’s comments section. According to them, there are a few key red flags to look out for when looking for a wedding photographer.
“Typically when a photographer badgers you about ‘pay in full and get a discount’ and ‘here’s a bunch of incentives to get you to book’…. RED FLAG!” one viewer wrote. “Most photographers only ask for a retainer upon contract signing and then the remaining balance before your wedding date.”
@sarahhhcline here is the storytime! Wanted to say thank you for everyones comments, support, and advice on the first video. I hope everything gets situated with the photographer and whatever she has going on. I know many brides including myself are angry, but just trying to process everything and hope every bride gets their money back & photos ? #northcarolina #weddingphotographer #2027bride #wedding #bride ♬ original sound – SARAH CLINE
More helpful advice
“As a photographer it’s a big red flag every time I see these ‘deals,’ it normally means they need the money injection and they plan to spend it far before your event,” another commented. A second photographer seconded this comment, replying, “As a photog—yes, this!”
Another viewer pointed out that magazine spreads are not necessarily a hallmark of authenticity or reliability—sometimes, they can be bought out.
“Anyone reading this, please NEVER let ‘they were in a magazine’ be more than a ‘oh that’s cool,'” this viewer advised. “MANY ‘features’ in magazines, like Vogue, are paid advertisements. There’s nothing wrong people doing that. We all pay to advertise just like any business, but it tends to be a bit deceiving when people think it’s solely because that magazines chose their images out of alllll the images out there because the work was just that good vs. people paying for an advert.”
Before booking a wedding photographer, make sure you look at their reviews. Also, search their name on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Research what standard prices are for your area. Make sure their photos check out across social media platforms and their website.
The Mary Sue has reached out to Cline and Christina via email.
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