A WEDDING photographer has defended using a portfolio of disappointed customers to showcase his skills.

Jason Simkiss left a trail of devastated couples in his wake when his North-East business, Simkiss Photography, folded about five years ago.

He is now working for another company and has attracted criticism for using pictures of disgruntled couples to advertise his services.

In the aftermath of Simkiss Photography’s closure, a number of couples claimed they had lost money.

Several individuals took to social media at the time to share their experiences, claiming Simkiss had ruined memories of their special day and left them out of pocket.

At least one couple said they had secured a County Court Judgement against the photographer, now working for another firm.

One man claims he lost £600 to Mr Simkiss and was left without a wedding photographer just 72 hours before his big day.

The County Durham man, who did not want to be named, was shocked when he saw pictures from his pre-wedding photo shoot appear on social media recently.

He said: “It’s like a kick in the teeth to see them on his page after he let us down on what was supposed to be the best day of our life.”

Another former customer said Mr Simkiss had sent photography students to cover his wedding and had failed to deliver the package paid for.

He said: “I don’t want him doing it again.”

In response to the concerns raised, Mr Simkiss accused his former customers of splitting hairs with their complaints and said he was considering legal action.

He admitted using some old pictures in his current portfolio and said it was his legal right as the copyright holder to do so.

Mr Simkiss added: “At the end of the day, a lot of businesses go bust and people lose money.

“I fell on difficult times with the last business and I’m now working for someone else.

“The copyright on the pictures is mine and I make all customers aware of that when they come in.”