New Jersey Seizes Wedding Photographer's Assets

Celebration Studios went out of business without delivering photos

January 29, 2008

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A Superior Court Judge has granted the New Jersey Attorney General and the Division of Consumer Affairs the authority to seize and impound all photos, negatives, videos and other materials in the possession of a defunct Morris County-based wedding photography company.

Additionally, photographers, videographers and album manufacturers who performed work for Celebration Studios and its owner, Marc C. Schwartz, and have photos, negatives, videos and other materials in their possession are restrained from transferring or disposing of these items, according to the order issued by Presiding Judge Catherine M. Langlois in Morris County Superior Court.

“Our focus remains on getting consumers the contracted and paid-for items that have not been delivered to them. These newlyweds want their wedding keepsakes and today’s action ensures that all existing items in the possession of the defendants and their subcontractors will be preserved,” Attorney General Anne Milgram said.

The Office of the Attorney General and Division of Consumer Affairs filed suit against Celebration Studios and Schwartz last week, alleging that they had violated the state’s Consumer Fraud Act and Advertising Regulations.

The division has received 846 consumer complaints to date against Celebration Studios, alleging that the company left them without contracted and paid-for items and services or failed to provide refunds.

Celebration Studios was based in Chester, and also operated out of locations in Clifton, Fairfield, Hoboken, Mahwah, Montclair, Paramus, Red Bank, Short Hills and Princeton, as well as New York and Pennsylvania.

At least as of October 2007, defendants continued to enter into contracts and accept payments for services for weddings to occur throughout 2008.

“Consumers should not pay additional monies directly to photographers who worked for the defendants and now possess photos, negatives, videotape or other materials” Acting Consumer Affairs Director Larry DeMarzo said. “These items must be maintained by the photographers as ordered by the court.”

“Consumers who have either not gotten their contracted-for services or their monies refunded should file a complaint with the Division,” DeMarzo added. Complaints can be filed online at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov or by calling the Division at 1-800-242-5846 (within New Jersey only) or 973-504-6200.

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