Photographer disappears, leaving brides and grooms in the lurch

Dozens of brides and grooms fear they'll never get their wedding photos after their photographer left the country.

Numerous couples had booked well-known Sydney brand, Phao Photography, for their big day, only to be left in the lurch.

Monika and John had booked Phao Photography for their big day in September.

They paid Sam Ansari a $6000 deposit, but just weeks out from their wedding, they couldn't get in touch with him.

"He was not responsive by email, I couldn't get in touch with him through phone calls, he was just you know, off the grid," Monika said.

Just days after, the couple received an email from Ansari telling them and his clients he'd sold off Phao Photography to fellow Sydney photographer Ellie Kalajian and his business NYC Films.

The email stated the sale included all previous and current bookings, along with copies and hard drives of albums.

With their wedding just three weeks away, a panicked Monika and John contacted NYC Films, only to be told by owner Kalajian that he wouldn't be shooting their wedding and had only bought the business name, not the assets or bookings.

Laith Jabro from A2Z Weddings was able to come in and save the day for Monika and John and capture their wedding day.

He says he's been contacted by more than 10 couples who have been left in the lurch by Phao Photography after paying large deposits.

"It's extremely stressful, extremely stressful. I mean, if people (booked) a year ahead and they lost some money, maybe there's plenty of time to reorganise things, but two to three weeks, four weeks. It's very hard," Jabro said.

We got in contact with Kalajian at his studio for NYC Films to ask him about his acquisition of Phao Photography, but he maintained he just bought the name, not the entire business, instead turning us away to speak with his lawyer.

"I don't have a comment, you can deal with our lawyer," Kalajian said.

"We're taking it to court and things like that."

Kalajian's lawyer said his client is an innocent third party, taken for a ride.

He said his client bought the name Phao Photography for $20,000 but has already dropped it from his ABN.

Ansari is believed to be living in Dubai after the alleged sale of his business and didn't respond to any of our attempts to contact him.

It's still unclear whether Phao or NYC are at fault.

But it's clear there are many clients who booked with Ansari who are now thousands of dollars out of pocket.

"We deserve an answer, we don't deserve to be left in the dark. I want my money back," Monika said.