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@stopstealingphotos
First off, HI BILLCIE! I know you’ve been all over this page waiting for my update! I’m not quite ready yet, because you’ve been throwing such an interesting fit, and well, I am unfortunately compelled to collect the evidence and write about it, so that you might go down in the “anals” of...
Pretty in Pink Photography
Web: http://www.prettynpinkphotography.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alaskaprettyinpinkphotography
Wedding Wire: http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/pretty-in-pink-photography-anchorage/10bdf69d83db2e74.html
Groupon: http://www.groupon.com/deals/pretty-in-pink-photography
Google +: https://plus.google.com/app/basic/108016650370308612171
Yellow Pages: http://www.yellowpages.com/anchorage-ak/mip/pretty-in-pink-photography-483309250
My Wedding: http://www.mywedding.com/vendors/pretty-in-pink-photography-227652
I started this on Friday and due to lack of time I wasn't able to fully source but I am able to finish up now thanks to feeling a tinge under the weather.
Katelyn has apologized in the comments but of course I'm finding more and more locations where these images are still advertising her site. These three employees she's claiming did this sure had a lot of reach!
Here's her excuse:
Website
Opening Slideshow
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source blogged here
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
About Us
Original source for text
Original source for image (can't find on photographer's page)
Gallery
Original source (no longer on Flickr)
Original source
Original source
Original source
Facebook Page:
Original source for text
Cover Photo
Original source (sort of, original photographer appears to be out of business)
Original source unknown
Original source
Valentine's Ad
Original source for image on the left and middle
Original source for image on the right
Photo Galleries
I had to leave while I was sourcing these so some I was able to go deeper into than others. Showing the original sources I could find from top to bottom, left to right.
Original source
Album:
Detail of image:
Original source for entire session
Album:
Closer look at images in this wedding, note the copyright notice and watermark.
Original source for entire wedding, note the real names of this couple
Album:
Image detail:
Original source for the entire session
Album:
Image detail:
Original source of session
Album:
Image detail:
Original source of this session
Album:
Image detail:
Original source for this session
Image detail
Original source
Album
Image detail:
Original source blogged here
Album:
Image detail:
Original source for the entire session
Original source for this session
Original source for this session
Original source
Wedding Wire
Original source of text
Large image Original source
Last B&W image original source (photographer unknown)
Groupon Ad
Original source
Google +
Original source from this photographer (can't find it on their page)
Original source
Yellow Pages:
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
My Wedding:
Original source for text
Marissa's Reflection Photography
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marissas-Reflection-Photography/372236829465543
This was tipped off to me on the Facebook Page. You can also use the "Know a Thief" above if you find someone you suspect is not using images that they originally photographed.
Original source
Starting from the left top photo...
Original source (note that this site tosses some flags on my browser)
Original source
Original source unclear, could possibly be here
Original source
Original source
Sara-Anne Photography
Web: http://sara-annephotography.com/blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaraAnnePhoto
Facebook2: https://www.facebook.com/sapseniors
This photographer is a mentor and leads workshops. She teaches a class called "Behind the Lens" to photographers. Part of this $600 course Sara-Anne teaches includes a workbook in PDF form that she has handed out to her students.
I am only showing here what sources were used in the workbook from the internet. A vast majority of the workbook was plagiarized from another photographer's ebook and it isn't right to put it out there for free. Out of respect for the photographer I am asking you all to trust me on the source. Thank you!
Onto the 92 page PDF that I've spent the past month sourcing! Today alone it's been about 6 hours because I wanted this done. I think a cocktail may be in order this evening. She has also stolen images, those are below the PDF.
PS: Thank you for your donations, it was fun to be able to use them to pay for Copyscape for this case!
Page 3, snippet below
Plagiarized from an ebook from this source, snippet below
Pages 3-8 , snippet below
Plagiarized from here.
Pages 8-9, snippet below
Plagiarized from here
Pages 14-15, snippet below
Plagiarized from here
Pages 18-19, snippet below
Plagiarized from here (Copyscape can't pull up the page on compare, sorry)
Pages 20-21, snippet below
Plagiarized from here.
Pages 24-25, snippet below
Plagiarized from here
Pages 27-28, snippet below
Plagiarized from here
Page 34, snippet below
Plagiarized from here
Page 34, snippet below
Plagiarized from here as well (various parts not just the top)
Page 37, snippet below
plagiarized from here again
Page 43-44, snippet below
Plagiarized from here
Pages 59-60, snippet below
Article called "Exceptional Customer Service in Portrait Photography" from The Dedicated Photographer, now offline.
Pages 60-61, snippet below
Article called "Portrait Photography Tip - Ignore the Competition" from The Dedicated Photographer, now offline
Pages 63-65, snippet below
Article called "Tips and Tricks for Photographing Children and Newborns" by The Dedicated Photographer, now offline
Page 67, snippet below
Plagiarized from here
Page 70, snippet below
Plagiarized from here
Pages 70-21, snippet below
Plagiarized from here
Pages 74-76, snippet below
Plagiarized from here
Pages 76-81, snippet below
Plagiarized from here
Pages 86-90, snippet below
Photos and text from here
At least one of her blogs is also plagiarized.
Value and photography blog post.
The original source (which has been ripped off so many times).
Update 01/31/2014 @ 1:16PM
Sara-Anne has taken down her Facebook Pages and her website. She now has this on her website:
It has also came to light that in 2012 Sara-Anne won a contest for a year rent-free in a space in Downtown Burlington which she opened a year ago. The contest also included $3000 in marketing and $15,000 in upgrade funds. While it may not have much to do with this case, I still thought it was an interesting side note to this whole story.
Yesterday with all of the pages and pages and hours and hours I spent I didn't get a chance to source images because I didn't have time to honestly. No one said anything about her stealing images so I didn't even search because I was burned out after that whole mess. Luckily someone else had the smarts to start looking and found that Sara-Anne also had images that weren't hers along with the plagiarized text.
Blog:
Originally located here
Original source unknown
Originally located here
Original source unknown
Originally located here
Edited, originally located here
Original source unknown
Originally located here
Original source unknown
Originally located here
Original source unknown
Originally located here
Original source unknown
Originally located here
Original source unknown
Originally located here
Original source unknown
Inspire Guide originally located here
Original source of couch graphic
Original source
Original source
Original source
Facebook:
Original source unknown, both are costumes for kids.
Poise'N Art Photography aka Portrait Perfection
Web: http://poisenart.com/index.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/portraitperfection
This photographer popped when I was researching Making Memories as they were both using the same photo that was not theirs. Sigh.
Left header image appears to be stock.
Original source for the image in the header "Capturing Memories"
Original source for image on the left in the amateur vs. professional banner
Original source for image on the right in the amateur vs. professional banner
Original source for the black and white portrait on the left side
This made me laugh
Original source of header image on the left
Model on the left of the header banner
Image B
Image C original source
The top portrait
Original source
Original source of the article
Original source top photo on right (can't find on photog's site)
Image on the bottom left has been sourced already above
Making Memories in Owensboro, Kentucky
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/making.memories.3388
I'm honestly not sure how to handle these submissions where the only web presence the fauxtographer has is a Facebook profile (which is against TOS for those wondering). They are still running a sham business but how much business are they getting if it's only a Facebook profile with no real reach? Sigh. I'm going to post this one and possibly another I've had submitted but I am still on the fence regarding this.
Also, I want to say thank you to those of you that donated to me this week. I know that times are hard for everyone and it really warms my heart to see. I know some have said they don't know how to donate, the link is above but you can click here. There's also some ads I added to the disqus comment module, if you click one or two of those while you're in there that'd be awesome! Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am kicking around using the funds to move to a server but I like the fact that Tumblr isn't as quick to boot me as some hosts may be.
Onto this current submission!
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
I'm pretty certain that this is the original source but the images are no longer on the site.
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original souce
Original source
This is ironic, this is DeAnna Pappas, you may know her as a past contestant in The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. Original source.
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source (this image tipped me off to another thief, that is coming next!)
Original source
Digital Impressions by Rhonda
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digitalimpressionsbyrhonda
Don't steal images that have JUST gone viral and put your watermark on them. Someone's going to figure it out.
Look in the lower left hand corner. Notice the "Digital Impressions" watermark? This was on 1/20/14.
Once she's called out (an hour ago) she uploaded new images without her watermark.
She also posted this claiming she was simply sharing inspirational work.
Original source (same photographer for all of these images but we'll start with the snow)
Here's the rest of the set as she had them after she took the watermarks off (I didn't screencap in time). Still no credit given beneath the images.
Original source
Original source
Take note of the cropping.
Original source
I kept digging because... that's what I do. Found another. Note her watermark.
She's been using this image to advertise her photography in various Facebook groups. Note she's shared this from her business AND personal FB accounts.
Original source
Update 01/23/2014 @ 12:22AM EST
Excuses are my favorite. Except when they are the same old song. Someone I hired did this, totally wasn't me. Then it's just boring. Someday I may have to collate all of the excuses into a post.
Rhonda, it's too bad you a) put your watermark on the winter image and loaded it per the screen capture on 1/20/2014 (NOT TODAY) and b) stole a wedding photo and loaded it to your Facebook on 12/8/2013 and shared via your business AND PERSONAL accounts to advertise your weddings and offer discounts.
Oh wow it's already deleted, she had some good comments so here's the whole thing before she deleted it.
Mary Wolfe Photography
Web: http://www.marywolfephotography.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryWolfePhotography
Here's the email she sent the person that discovered the duplicity.
"On 9 January 2014 12:47, Mary Wolfe <[email protected]> wrote:
Obviously you dont know much about me. I'm not lying about my work. You dont know who've I've worked with as a second shooter, where I've gotten my education/teachings as a photographer and where I purchase my equipment I use for my business. The only thing I do see from you is the fact that your jealous and have nothing better to do with your life. Your a sad, sick person!
If you feel that I've done something wrong, then take me to court and prove it. I have proof of my work, education, receipts and contracts showing that I am correct in my business. If you dont want to do that, then leave me the hell alone!
Mary"
I think that's the best way to start this off.
Main Website
Many images were taken out when she was called out originally so I'll start with what is remaining on her page and then go to screen captures of what was there before she did some spring cleaning.
Gallery
Seniors
Original source
Original source
Portraits
Maternity & Children
Original source
Weddings & Such
Cakes
Original source
Original source
Original source (note that i'm linking to the pin, the website is down)
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
OK there's 88 pics but I think you get the gist??
Onto enagements. The first few are popping on Pink Elephant's card site but since the original photographer isn't credited I don't know where those originated.
Original source
This next set is all from the same blog so I'm listing them together.
Original source
Bridals!
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Weddings
Original source
Original source
Original source
Deleted images from website
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
She's cleaned this page up a lot... but I have screen captures!
Original source
Update 01/24/14 @11:00 AM EST
Original source
Williams Rogers Photography aka Challenging Photography
Web: http://www.hrwrogers.webspace.virginmedia.com/index.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChallengingPhotography?ref=hl
I had an entirely different opening written for this photographer. I thought it was just another run-of-the-mill photographer that had a gallery full of images that were not his own original works and la-de-dah.
NOPE.
This guy has a portrait gallery that has a few images that appears to be his won works under "Morrow Studios" intermixed with some beautiful girls in what appears to be a senior photography type session. The original images from these sessions is actually nude images of models. Some of these images he cropped out the racier bits so they appeared to be wholesome portraits of your average beautiful girl.
I'll let that sink in and creep you out like it did me.
I thought about not even going on with this one because I am horrified, sick and kind of creeped out. I don't want to send people to the original sessions because they are marketed as the "teen" genre. But then I thought about someone hiring this guy to take pictures of their teenaged daughter and I decided to go ahead with it.
SO, when that section of this post comes up keep in mind the original source links are all NSFW and I will mention this again and again because I don't want to hear anyone bitching at me that they didn't know. I'm also not using screen captures for these images for obvious reasons.
We'll start with the website. The scrolling gallery on the right is the images in the gallery so we'll go there next.
The gallery page.
The first image doesn't have a source so we'll go to the next image in the grid. Also, all the wedding sources are safe for work.
Will the real photographer please stand up? I'm not going to list the original source b/c SO MANY PHOTOGRAPHERS have this on their site.
Another image where I'm unsure of the original source.
Original source
[source deleted by request]
This image used to be on the photographer's site but he's updated his gallery since then but here is an image from this wedding on his blog.
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Murrow Studios gallery:
These images do not have their own pop up windows so I'm going to link their original sources below.
WARNING these images listed below are all from nude sessions. Some are cropped versions of a racy image, some are the initial clothed image of the otherwise nude session. ALL SOURCES ARE NSFW!!!!!!
The sources below are in order they appear in the gallery above from L to R, up then down the rows. I'm not including screen captures.
Original source NSFW
Original source NSFW (this is the worst, he cropped it to look like a wholesome senior portrait)
Original source NSFW
Original source NSFW, another crop of a racy image
Original source NSFW
Some pictures here are again from nude photo shoots so mind the NSFW tag with original sources OK?
Facebook image galleries.
I would source all of these as I'm certain 90% of these are not William's original works but I'll stick to the ones that really bothered me the most.
I think this page used to be a photography tutorial page and he turned it into his business Fan Page. Still no excuse.
Original source NSFW
Original source NSFW
Original source NSFW
The original link is above but I wanted to post this one because of what he typed below the image, "I am often asked which is the best place to take family photo's, sometimes the best places are just the back garden or a local park."
The original image has an upskirt shot of this girl in her underwear.
I was going to do more but I can't. I just can't look at these young girls anymore and think about what this photographer may have been trying to accomplish with a gallery of images that he didn't take that are cropped nudes/racy images.
I need a drink.
Reaction Photography
Web: http://reactionphotographysd.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reaction-Photography/340870288214?ref=ts
Amazon Ad: http://local.amazon.com/omaha/B00HQ07G6I?src=email&cid=em_dd_322_681_na_s1_&ref_=pe_628140_112030890_fd
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Carmenphoto25
Weddings.com: http://omaha.weddings.com/Local/omaha-Reaction-Photography/VendorDetail.aspx/PHO-611027
Weddings.com 2: http://lincoln.weddings.com/Local/lincoln-Reaction-Photography/VendorDetail.aspx/PHO-611027
Living Social Ad: https://www.livingsocial.com/cities/50-omaha/deals/1013769-one-hour-photo-shoot-with-20-high-res-images
Awwww it's a thief that takes me back to my roots, well almost. My first foray into this "field" so to speak was with a girl named Dana Dawes who stole a bunch of photos for her Groupon ad. The news even got involved with the story and when they showed her in her studio, the stolen images were even displayed there. This new thief came to me via the same starting point - someone saw their Amazon Ad (the image used in the ad appears to be theirs) and clicked on their website and discovered a gallery of images that are not theirs.
A photographer earlier today had his images removed but Reaction Photography aka Carmen Ridenoure took only their images down, not all of the stolen ones. Of course a new "assistant" was blamed. Interesting that the images that are not Reaction's original works are the ones featured in ads and the first ones in the slideshows online.
PS: Let this be a lesson to future brides, this company won "The Best of The Knot" award for 2013 AND 2014. That award doesn't mean much.
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Facebook Page:
Some of the items I've already listed. Here's what hasn't been listed yet:
Original source
Original source
Original source
Wedding Wire Profile (same for both CA and NE)
Update 01/16/2014 @ 10:37PM EST
You guys, it's a mix up! Reaction removed all ads and stolen images from their Facebook and are cleaning up their website.
Mind you, Katherine Beth is the only new associate that they've talked about before today. Her work is part of their The Knot profile page but it is/was not part of any other gallery on their website. Katherine has also commented on her page that SHE would be taking over Reaction's San Diego base when Carmen moves to Omaha.
Not sure who the hell this Joe guy is though.
But hey... we're getting tons of hits so... time for an ad! This time without a stolen image!
Update 01/16/2014 @ 11:33PM EST
New update. She is now blaming a "guy" whom earlier she called Joe. Earlier today when talking to the first photographer that found out about the theft she blamed a girl named Paige. Interesting. So who is it? Paige or Joe?
Update 01/16/2014 @ 11:47PM
The Facebook page is down but someone was able to grab this for me just before it was deleted. Note the last comment.
Update 01/17/2014 @2:19PM EST
I heard some people are falling for the story that Carmen is telling. The story she's giving NOW is that she hired a guy named Joe Serano and he is the source of all of the stolen images she believed were his own work. She's totally innocent you guys!
Unfortunately less than 12 hours before Joe was blamed she told the first photographer to issue her a C&D that it was hackers and a girl she recently hired named Paige.
If you can't read it it says (emphasis is mine):
"On Thursday, January 16, 2014 12:32 PM, Reaction Photography <[email protected]> wrote:
Oh my goodness, I am so sorry I am not sure what happened, we just posted to the knot this past month and have had our account hacked, I am going to of course figure out what is going on, we might have to restart our account!
Thank you so much!,
Carmen
www.reactionphotographysd.com"
This is her follow up email
"On Thursday, January 16, 2014 12:43 PM, Reaction Photography <[email protected]> wrote:
Did you have a photographer that worked there Paige? We hired a photographer a couple months ago and I believe those were sample images of her work, now that I look at them. Just let me know, maybe that's an issue. We are deleting them right now though! So sorry for the issues!
Thank you,
Carmen
www.reactionphotographysd.com"
When the photographer wrote back and said no and to take the images down immediately this is her reply.
"On Thursday, January 16, 2014 12:59 PM, Reaction Photography <[email protected]> wrote:
Oh that's not good…guess I'm going to be down a photographer. Thank you again!
Carmen
www.reactionphotographysd.com"
Precious Memories Photography
URL: http://www.preciousmemphotography.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/PreciousMemoriesPhotography8
I've been swamped in the past week with submissions. It makes me sad that there's a lot of people I can't get to but I'm a 1 person operation. I don't make money doing this (although I am kicking around migrating this to a word press site so I can host ads) so my money maker comes first. I hope that you understand. I wish I had all the time in the world to sit and out thieves but I don't. If you are serious about wanting to help me, send me a message.
Onto the new thief... I find it interesting that a LOT of the images lifted are from blogs/galleries that have very LARGE and/or HQ photos displayed. I hear that this "photographer" is placing ads all over the US and that's how someone found them.
Gallery:
If you don't mind I'm just going to go down and hit all of the original sources in the above image because I have a horrific migraine that has been with me for two days.
I can't find the original source for this image.
Or this one.
...
Getting the feeling someone hit Google Images or Pinterest to fill their gallery?
Ok showing this one in detail because of the addition of the watermark.
Original source.
Ok fine, whatever I have the original source for I'm adding the full size of.
Original source
Original source
Original source (couldn't find it on the photog's page)
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source (I'm pretty sure, can't find it on the site)
Original source
Original source
Jwarstyle
Web: http://www.jwarstyle.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jwarstyle
There's a lot of things you should do when getting caught stealing photos or text. Calling the person you stole from a douchebag and telling them that stealing is just "biz" is not one of them (and no I'm not kidding).
What started out as a tip of a guy that stole a bunch of Fearless award winners has turned into comedy gold when he goes off on Twitter.
Here's the wedding gallery on his website (now down but cached on Google).
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
Original source
A couple more pages he's taken down, the images appear to mostly be stock/Pinterest but I'm putting the pages here for future reference.
His twitter feed is a rage filled journey into high school.
My favorite:
FAQ Stealing
This post was originally just about one photographer that stole a FAQ from the ever-amazing Susan Stripling. However, when writing the blog post, I did a quick check on Copyscape and discovered that she was one of MANY stealing Susan's FAQ. THIS IS NOT OKAY!
I know some are going to come on here and argue that they didn't take the WHOLE thing... just some parts. JUST a few words! Everyone has those words in their FAQ! Here's the thing. Saying "I take a retainer" and things of that sort, yes, we're all going to have that in our FAQ. However, having "She strives to create images at each and every wedding that illuminates the relationships; both of each individual family and the new family being created that day. Her goal is to provide you with a documentary-based illustration of your wedding day."in your FAQ is not just an accident, that is plagiarism. EVEN if it's only that line. The amount of words you'll see below that are word-for-word is unacceptable and is plagiarism, be it one line or multiple.
The original:
My favorite bit. "I'm a photographer and I really like this FAQ. Can I copy it word for word and put it on my website?
Please tell me you didn't really just ask me that. No, please don't steal from this FAQ for your site. Like investing the time to perfect your photography skills takes time writing good website copy to educate and help your clients takes time. I really care for everyone that I work with and have written this to best help them answer their questions and work on their wedding day plans. When you take this without permission it's neither ethical nor legal. I thank you for taking the time to research what questions YOUR clients need answering and writing something original to best serve them!"
The photographers who felt the need to lift the copy from Susan. The copied words are highlighted (mind you, more words were plagiarized but this is what is shown on the screen, if you scroll you will see more).
1. Mohamed Haqqui Photography.
2. Beani Photography
3. Siegel's Portrait Design (highlight and then showing answer on screencap w/o highlight)
4. La Vida Studios
5. Celf Calon Photography.
6. The Love Project.
7. Rebecca McLean Photography
8. Tony Fanning Photography
9. Steve Willis Photographer
10. Eye Magia
11. Paula O'Hara Fine Art Weddings
12. Chris Mallet Photography
13. Photos By Yvonne
14. Maria Angela
15. Sarah Katherine Davis
16. MHVH Studios
17. Picture Elegance
18. David Medina
19. Photographick
20. Shutter Habitat Photography
21. Diana Unt
22. David Abel Photography
23. Mon Veil Studios
Dream Wedding Media
URL: http://www.dreamweddingmedia.com/
Moving on from the CJ Photography debacle (FYI he's back and stronger than ever and is kicking rocks still or something).
Vincent and Tyler Tree apparently run this business which is photography, cinematography and DJ services. They don't appear to have a Facebook Page nor much of an online presence so I don't know if this is just a business that doesn't get any business or they are just flying under the radar but regardless, their portfolio is made up of stolen images.
Main Page:
The original source.
Portfolio Page:
Two still images original source.
Slideshow:
Original source.
Original source
Original source.
Original source.
Original source:
Original source.
Original source.
Original source.
Original source.
Original source.
Original source. This is the source for the above images but the gallery navigation doesn't allow you to flip to future images and I can't wait for each one to appear.
Original source.
Original source.
Original source.
Original source.
Original source.
There's TONS more but I think you get the gist??
Update 12/29/13 @10:06PM:
The videos are stolen as well, of course.
Their website is down but not their vimeo or You Tube channels.
Video 1
Original source.
Video from the photography page:
Also seen on their vimeo.
Original source:
Theirs.
Original source.
Update 1/2/14 @ 12:07PM EST
They've removed the stolen art and replaced it with a video and possible screen grabs that appear to be their own. However, the words? They aren't.
"About Our Blog" & post on their blog:
Original source.
Ashville Wedding Locations Blog
Original source.
"Southern Wedding Bouquets" blog. Words AND images both lifted.
Original source.
Featured Wedding Venue blog.
Original source.
One of my many fan messages...
Just so you don't think I'm getting off easy on all of this...
"I am reporting a theif. YOU, you stupid piece of shit good for nothing person. Stealing peoples dignity. YOU are the person that needs their life stomped completely 6 feet under. AND, you are trying to receive money for ruining peoples lives. You try to say people told you to set up a donation page. Think anyone ACTUALLY believes that? Haaaaaaa you think you are a god of some sort. Wait til judgement day. You are tje exact descriptions of the person who all they do is find fault in others to cover their own ass. Jus read the bible where people like you will spend eternity. Cant try n say any verse in there was stolen now can ya!? All i can do is feel sorry for you. People like you, with no life, most likely living off wellfare while lying to get it. An receiving money for this so it doesnt count as a job, therefore collecting unemployment while secretly getting money an not reporting it. Smh I am so glad you are NO relation to me. I wud actually change my name an disown you, i am so embarressed for you. Karma is a bitch, i hope ur ready."
CJ Photography aka Ryan Christoph Images
Web: http://crjphotography.com/
Web2: http://ryanchristoph.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/christopherJphotography
FB2: https://www.facebook.com/cjphotographyco
FB3: https://www.facebook.com/crjphotographywa
FB4: https://www.facebook.com/pages/CJ-Photography-TX/770261529667261
FB5: https://www.facebook.com/cjphotoTN
FB6: https://www.facebook.com/CJPhotographyWV
FB7: https://www.facebook.com/rcimages
FB8: https://www.facebook.com/rcphotoandvideo
This one is probably going to ruffle some feathers as people are going to have opposing views on whether this is full-on theft or just a bit shady. Since more than 80% of the image (often near 100% of the image) is not CJ Photography's original work AND since he's presenting the image as entirely his own (without permission, I've checked in with the original photographers and outside of the stock agencies he's not been granted permission to use the original works in this manner) I'm going ahead with this.
CJ has got some attention recently from running a camera giveaway that involved a like-a-thon on Facebook and his images caught a few people's interest because they didn't look natural although CJ claims them to be. Note that most of the images you are to share to win the camera aren't his but that fact is buried but is there, kinda, so I'm not listing them. Combined with the fact that he's less than a year into the business things started popping in people's heads and at least two people have investigated and brought some info to me.
CJ aka Christopher Jones posts quite a lot of amazing images yet dodges every singe question about where his location was and how he found such amazing light. Instead he talks about his one-on-one classes he offers to learn how he works. This is what finally sent me to post here as I hear he runs a newbie photographer group and sells his workshops to them. Folks, you aren't going to learn how to shoot like this because the shot is a composite that is heavily photoshopped. This isn't out of camera work.
Yes some work here IS stock but some images he used are NOT stock and he did NOT get rights to use the images. Nor does it sound like he licensed them correctly but I am awaiting on replies in regards to that. I have been in contact with all of the photographers and most have got back to me already stating that Christopher Jones did NOT have permission to use their images in this manner.
Let's start with this sunrise image that CJ claims to have been worth waking up early to capture. (this has since been deleted) The comment with the photo is "I would say the sunrise at 7:30 with the storm moving in was pretty awesome... This was actually a test shot."
On second page.
Someone woke up early but it wasn't CJ. Original source. This is stock so there's a grey area here but stick with me OK? I am starting with this one since he plainly states he woke up early for this image.
Facebook Q&A regarding this image. His answer is very... unclear?
Irony. Don't steel!
Original source.
Note the comments. I like the one asking how he kept her normal looking and everything else is bursting in color.
Original source.
Another composite.
Original source.
Cover image worthy...
Original source. Note the no commercial clause.
Share it! Dig it!
Original source
Trying out a new style.
Original source.
His.
Original source.
Another image.
Original source.
Since I'm already knee deep.
A mini session ad on the WA page.
Also on his main page.
Original source.
Original source.
Original source.
Original source.
Original source.
Since Christopher has claimed the mini session's template was sold with the stock images, here is the listing from the Etsy seller whom he purchased the file from. Note the lack of these images.
Since posting this Christopher is claiming that *only* these 9 images were composites. I must wonder then why this cover image is gone that was originally part of his Facebook? The original landscape has been too heavily edited for me to easily find a source for but I am still on the lookout.
We're going for at least 10 now.
Original source (notice he flipped the image)
Image #11
Original source.
#12
Original source.
#13
I can't find the stock site source but it's a stock image, here's one of the locations it can be seen.
UPDATE:
FB Page Status on 12/20/13 around 5:00PM EST. Note this contradicts with Chris's claims that he wasn't online until 11-12PM on the 20th. I am sure he'll claim this was an "admin" acting on his behalf but I thought I'd add this just in case.
10% of unoriginal work is 10% too much.
Update #2
About 1AM on 12/21/13
With that post his main Facebook page disappeared shortly after.
I got a letter from Christopher himself at the same time. Never mind the fact that he claimed to have got up at sunrise for images... it's now a matter of proper licensing. Not sure where the non-stock images come into play. Or the fact that there's more than the claimed 9 composites he said he ONLY had. Or the mini session template being sold with the stock images. Or where in the heck loving Jesus and his kid come into this? I really do love the comparison to running photography businesses like being in the music business. The Rockstars are preening now. Good thing WPPI is around the corner.
Update #3:
Chris is back again after disabling his FB account the other night.
About 2AM, 12/22/13
If you've been following his defense has gone something like this:
• I didn't do what they are claiming. 90% of what is here is mine.
• Only the 9 images posted were the ones I composited. [When I found more after he posted this claim, this is when he disabled his account]
• I've always been transparent about the images being composites.
• The only thing I did wrong was not get the correct licensing.
• Everyone else uses stock images to promote mini sessions.
• I removed the images because I wanted to protect the artists whose work I used.
• I love Jesus and my kid and you are hating on a good person and destroying everything I've worked for this year.
• I didn't steal, I made a mistake with licensing.
• I'm still giving away a camera.
When I first posted this "photojournalist photographer" (Chris, do yourself a favor and go read the definition of photojournalism) I was a bit scared because he had SO many likes. Sure I've taken on heavy weights in the industry before but I knew quite a lot about them before I posted about Doug or Jasmine. I had never heard of Chris specifically, only about the weirdness surrounding his camera giveaways and uncanny timing of the theft of his gear. It's been interesting to see that not very many are defending him. I didn't screen capture all the comments but all of these images were always presented as original works completely captured by Chris (or an employee) himself. There were dozens of people always asking for locations and he'd often reply but skirt the issue but allowing people to think he'd found this magical field with dramatic sunset just off the side of the road somewhere in Georgia. He never once told anyone that this was digital art and NOT photojournalism. Then there's the whole workshop debacle. Let's just say he leaned heavily a la Rob Adams on someone else's training guides. I'm still waiting for more to present that all to you.
Final point is the first image that I posted. Read the original description. That is decidedly NOT transparent about these images being composites.
Update #4:
He's taken the page down again after I updated this post. His website is also down to the bare bones.
Update #5:
Last night I received this message from Chris. I wasn't going to post it because I honestly don't care that much and I have lots of baking to finish up but since he keeps talking about his reaching out to me and not getting a response I figured that I may as well post the messages I chose to not reply to.
Note that he's confessing that the things I posted about ARE true. He didn't get the correct licensing for the images he sourced for compositing. I am not responsible for what people say or do in the comment section. My favorite bit is about the money I've cost him. That's what this all boils down to in my humble opinion.
This morning I received this voicemail:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/7632014/voicemailcj.mp3
After I didn't reply to him yet again (why would I when he's telling everyone I am being sued?) he posted this:
Again, he confesses that he didn't properly license the images nor gave credit for the stock images on the mini session advertisement.
I have not deleted anything that Chris has posted. People have been watching this page with popcorn in hand I'm sure and haven't seen a thing. If anything's been deleted it's by his own hand.
My lawyer has been made aware of everything but we've yet to hear from CJ's lawyer.
Chris has also sent some threats of lawsuit out to people whom have commented on this page and on Facebook. Please contact me if this includes you.
Update #6:
Chris has been interviewed by Gary Fong and the story has been picked up by Peta Pixel. Chris is blogging his side of the story on his blog.
There's also been a lot of kicking of rocks.
Update #7 on 1/8/14
He's rebranded himself as Ryan Christoph Images and has a new FB and Website (linked above). When he found out I had linked the new info... he got a little angry.
The post is gone now (of course) but it made me laugh to see what his version of what happened is. What was even more interesting was seeing his fans comment over and over how he needs to stop posting about this because it's annoying and childish. Those were quickly deleted of course.
Rob Adams Films
Web: http://www.robadamsfilms.com/
Web2: http://www.vanessaandrob.com/ (workshop/photographer website he runs with his wife Vanessa Joy)
FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rob-Adams-Films/312786093943
FB2: https://www.facebook.com/VanessaAndRob It takes a lot to leave me speechless nowadays but this video managed to do just that. I'm making an exception to the "photographer" rule here because it pertains to weddings and this person has appeared on Creative Live and is slated to be a presenter at WPPI in 2014 with his wife Vanessa Joy selling Photo Fusion to wedding photographers. He's also slated to teach at Imaging and Exposed Down Under in January.
Rob Adams took a workshop from videographer Adam Forgione and later appeared on Creative Live with his own wedding videography workshop. It's eerily similar to Adam's workshop down to song examples, mic drop and verbiage. I've heard many times about creatives stealing info from past workshops they've taken and presenting the information verbatim as their own but I've never seen it proven so elegantly. The theft is so blindingly obvious that it makes one wonder how Rob thought he would get away with it.
http://pennylaneworkshops.com/stolen-workshop/
UPDATE: Rob Adams finally gets his side of the story out on the blog for the magazine he writes for, Behind the Shutter. Let's have a little legal lesson folks. Slander is spoken words that misalign a character of a person, libel is written and or images. Rob is claiming that Adam did this out of malice and it's common words and thoughts that are universal. I've had a few comments to the same tune but personally I find the edited bits to be too close to home with the exact phrases, words and actions to be anything BUT heavily inspired by the previously attended workshop of Adam's. IMHO if he really didn't use Adam for inspiration there would be no apologies at the end of this piece but that is just my opinion.
UPDATE #2: Adam posted his response to the "apology" above in the comments below. You should read it, especially the screen capture from Behind the Shutter that hasn't been approved yet. What Adam is saying is what I've essentially been saying to support why I posted this here. It's not what he taught but the methods and words he used to teach.
UPDATE #3 12/27/13 @ 11:27PM EST
Rob Adams has pulled out of Imaging USA and WPPI. Blair Phillips is replacing Rob and Vanessa's spot at Imaging and Vincent Laforet will be replacing their spot at WPPI.
