CLEVELAND -- This summer, there will be thousands of new brides hoping to capture their special day on film or video tape.

But sadly, some newlyweds may be victimized by a fly-by-night photographer. Brides may spend more than a thousand dollars on photographs they will never recieve.

NewsChannel5 Troubleshooter Joe Pagonakis went to Akron to help two brides who hired Studio J Photography, and didn't get the service they'd expected.

Renee Nowak and Jennifer Dietz married the men of their dreams and each planned one-of-a-kind weddings in August and October of last year, respectively. Renee Nowak booked Progressive Field for her photo shoot. The shoots went well, but the brides claim they never got their pictures.

Each bride paid $1,100 to Jen Baugher and Studio J Photography for wedding pictures and a complete album, but after six months of phone calls and a pile of e-mails, the newlyweds still did not have their photos. When they went to talk to Jen Baugher in person, they couldn't find her.

So, four months ago, Pagonakis took the case. In January, he checked Studio J's last known business addresses in Akron. Both were vacant and up for lease. Joe visted the address listed for Baugher's home, but no one answered the door.

Then, Pagonakis visited again, leaving a note on the door that the brides had filed a police report. Baugher called Joe later that day, explaining she'd been dealing with tough times, then she hung up.

Baugher later sent Nowak a disk containing all of her wedding pictures. Baugher is also promising Nowak a $550 refund. Dietz has not yet recieved either her pictures or a promise of a refund as of this writing.

The lesson? Before you book a photographer check their references and their Better Business Bureau record. You can also log on to the Professional Photographers Association Web site to see if the photographer you want to hire is a member in good standing.

And just remember, because a photographer is listed in the yellow pages or is found online in a wedding Web site doesn't give them instant creditability.

Finally, do not give all the money upfront. Verify the photographer's business address, home address and home, business and cell phone numbers.

Get the latest from Troubleshooter Joe Pagonakis on his blog.