(EATON, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is suing a wedding photographer in response to complaints from newlywed couples who paid for photos and videos but never received them.
“These couples tied the knot and now they’re tangled up in a dispute with a dishonest photographer,” Yost said.
The consumer protection lawsuit accuses Kelsea Hopkins, 27, of violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act by failing to deliver promised goods or refunds to customers who paid for her services.
Five consumers complained to Yost’s Consumer Protection Section, saying Hopkins photographed their weddings but did not give them all the items included in their wedding packages. Among the missing items were videos, black and white photos, photo albums and canvas prints.
Hopkins has not responded to phone calls, emails or text messages from the couples seeking an explanation. The couples live in Clermont, Montgomery and Warren counties in Ohio, and Randolph County in Indiana.
Hopkins has operated under the names Dear Tomasine Stills and Films, Dear Tomasin, and Blue Boots Photography. She has not registered any of the business names with the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office.
The lawsuit filed in the Preble County Court of Common Pleas requests an order requiring Hopkins to reimburse affected customers and pay civil penalties, as well as court costs. It also requests an injunction ordering her to stop violating the state’s consumer protection laws.
Consumers who suspect an unfair or deceptive business practice should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 800-282-0515 or www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov
