A well-known photo studio in Los Angeles’ Koreatown, specializing in creating “growth albums” that document children’s milestones, has abruptly shut down without notifying its customers, sparking outrage among affected families.
The studio’s closure has left numerous clients not only facing financial losses but also unable to retrieve years’ worth of cherished photographic memories.
According to victims, the owner of “L’Atelier Studio,” located near Norton Avenue, has been unresponsive since October. A customer, identified as Han, shared, “I paid in full for a baby photo package in 2019 but still haven’t received all the pictures. Repeated calls and messages have gone unanswered.”
Currently, over 10 individuals have come forward as victims. They have formed a group chat to exchange information about the owner’s whereabouts and are considering filing complaints and pursuing legal action.
L’Atelier Studio’s website lists five photo packages with varying prices based on album size and content. Han noted, “Each package costs between $2,000 and $3,000. After speaking with other victims, we estimate the total losses amount to around $20,000, and there could be more victims.”
The studio actively marketed its services through social media, which raises concerns about the potential for additional victims. Its Instagram account, launched in August 2015, features over 300 posts, with the last update in July. The account has more than 1,200 followers.
Recent posts on Instagram and other platforms highlight the growing number of complaints. On Google Reviews, a customer named Erica Gong wrote, “It’s been 16 months, and I still haven’t received my child’s birthday photos. I paid $1,500 but haven’t gotten the albums for my two children.”
Comments on the studio’s Instagram page also reflect the frustration:
• “I had a shoot in September but haven’t received anything.” (User: putmedownfor5)
• “This should be reported to the police.” (User: jihameee)
The victims seek legal counsel to explore lawsuits and other legal remedies. They have also set up an email account to gather reports from other potential victims.
“The financial loss is significant, but what’s even more heartbreaking as a parent is not being able to preserve these once-in-a-lifetime moments of my child’s growth,” said Han. “While I sympathize with the challenges faced by small businesses in this economy, it’s unacceptable to abruptly cut off communication without any notice.”
The studio operated out of a residential building near Norton Avenue. A nearby resident commented, “I don’t remember the exact date, but the studio appeared to be clearing out its belongings and seemed to have shut down around October.”
Despite repeated attempts to contact L’Atelier Studio using the phone number listed on its website, no response had been received as of 5 p.m. on December 20.
Victim Contact Email: Laterlierphotocase@gmail.com
BY YEOL JANG [jang.yeol@koreadaily.com]
