Almost two dozen couples say they’re missing once‑in‑a‑lifetime wedding moments — photos and videos they may never see — after a Victorian photographer allegedly took thousands of dollars upfront and failed to hand over the work.
For Tegan and Ethan, the memories were meant to be priceless. Instead, they say they’re $7000 out of pocket.
WATCH ABOVE: Ballarat photographer accused of ripping off brides on their wedding days
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“We’re not getting our videos back, we’re not getting our vows, we’re not getting our first dance back… it’s hard,” Tegan told 7NEWS.
They hired Ballarat photographer Justine Missen to capture their big day. She shot the wedding — then, the couple claims, she vanished after they were sent only a small amount of photos.
Missen told 7NEWS she has been in contact with “people”, but eight months later, Tegan and Ethan say she still has more than half their wedding album.
“We don’t even know if the footage is still there… don’t know if she’s deleted it,” Tegan said.
“You pay for something, you deserve to get it,” Ethan said.
Another couple, Katie and Luke, say they were ghosted before their wedding even happened.
They prepaid Missen nearly $4000.
“We attempted to contact Justine — email, phone call, social media — she was unresponsive,” Katie said.
Despite mounting complaints and legal action, Missen has continued to book new clients and ask for payment up front.
7NEWS is aware of 19 couples who’ve paid Missen almost $90,000 in total. All signed contracts and say they’re still owed at least some of the work they paid for.
Missen told 7NEWS she has spent the money “trying to survive” and claims she will honour every job, even if the budget is blown.
The fight is likely headed to VCAT.
“I’m emotionally damaged, I’m stressed, I’m angry,” Tegan said.
