Betraying the Trust of a Model and committing a Crime to get a picture? How do the bd members Feel?

[Inncoent Victim]

As a fellow artist I wonder what the fine members of this board feels when another artists betrays the trust of a friend, and a model she/he asked to pose for in preparation of models coming in to pose professionally.
I was asked to be put in poses by one of the members of this board.
I knew her/he for quite some time. This person also knew I did not like my pictures being taken for my own personal reasons.
This person also asked me many times and offered to take professional pictures of me and I kindly refused because of my own reasons.
When this person asked me to pose there weren’t any cameras facing me or on me and I asked
"there aren’t any cameras I cant see that are taking photos are there?"
and they said "No."
A year later after our casual meetings ended I am beginning to see those exact poses
appearing on a bulletin bd I joined some time ago.
I recently had real pictures taken to compare because I knew they were me. He cut my head out but there are enough of my features to see it is me.
I called this person and they said they never put me in those poses.
I cannot believe the person could lie straight to my face besides.
Please tell me, if any of you know what I should do.
I do know I can make a police report but I think this person should be known for what they let happen to me. Obviously there was a hidden camera.
The poses were distinct, they were different poses,exotic using different implements.
They are not just common pictures where any one could be in that photo, I assure you all they are me.
I am an artist my self, and an artist is the soul of all of humankind.
We represent the world’s pain, its struggles, the beauty of life and the hope for a better world someday.
We are supposed to be honest, forthright and usually it is we who suffer from the world’s cruelty.
I did not think a well known artist like this person would be part of deceiving and wrong doing that we honest artists try to avoid.
Does anyone know art organizations I can make my claim heard for when I am ready to disclose this.
This person should not be respected like she/ he is, if they are going to lie and deceit and get photos of someone even though they knew that person did not want photos taken of them at all.
Thank you, and I am sorry to bring disaccord to your beautiful place here.
Sincerely, a fellow artist who is crying.

[Marc Saleme]

Totally, string the guy/gal up. Call the cops, name names on the boards. Tastefully and with a measure of restraint, as you already have exercised. Just drop the name. And not only on this board either. I would find someone who could help you ensure that his/her name shows up in search engine results as linked to these reports of his/her unscrupulousness and poor character. Further, if you live anywhere nearby, you should speak with art gallerists about your woes, and make sure they know who he/she is. Maybe also take out a classified ad in several newspapers in the area this person lives, and warn other models about the his/her dishonesty. And put a warning on craigslist. Speak with any of his/her business clients... you can probably hire someone to help you with all this, for a nominal fee.

It's not vengeful. It's just responsible business.

[lobsterpress7]

Here is the truth of the matter. First, feelings and morals are different than the actual "law". So if you are asking about law that is one thing but feelings and morals demand a whole different answer.

1. When you asked if there were cameras and he said no, surely if you believe those pictures are you and you are sure that they are you, then the guy or gal lied to you upfront. That is deceitful. However, not seeing the pictures I can not judge in this particular case. Bottom line is that you say that he "cut" the head off and only shows the body. In this case, if you have no "identifying" marks on your body, for example, a definite odd-mole or marking that is special to you, that really identifies you, if you have no such markings, you can not legally prove that this "body" is you. Unless you had tape recordings or some other valid proof of your being there in his studio for these poses. Legally , if you have no solid proof, it is not likely that you would win any case. Also, if you want these pictures to be "unknown" and private, you would be best not pursuing any legal course, because by doing so, you bring more attention to the artist and more attention to the pictures that you want to remain private.

That's just from a legal standpoint. (I am not a lawyer but that is common sense law; for more specifics consult a real lawyer. I just know as anyone knows that the courts will ask for "proof" of anything--that is basic.

2. From a feelings or moral viewpoint: Yes, I believe that is a horrible thing if this guy is actually using pictures of you against your will and especially when he said there were no cameras there. So what do you do to make yourself feel better about it? Like above, if you want more privacy, the best thing to do is not publicize the matter or the artist. However if you do not mind it all coming out in the open, then you can do your blog about it and put your claims in the blog. You can tell other models not to use this guy's services. Word of mouth means a lot.

3. From a human point of view --for future reference. You had a gut feeling about this guy and his attitude. In the future , go with your gut feeling. Your first gut feeling told you that something was not right, that something was wrong. You can consider this a most important lesson in life. ALWAYS go with your first gut feeling. Listen to yourself. If you are in ANY situation and you think that something is wrong, then most likely something is wrong. Listen to yourself.

4. Pass the word amongst artists and models and would-be actresses and actors. Tell everyone BUT ONLY if you want to lose more of your own privacy. If you want to maintain your privacy, you might be able to make a blog -not in your real name--and tell people that you were not satisfied with this artist's work and you can give as much detail as you like.

5. Most of all--go slow. Before you do anything, think, pause. And say a prayer. Prayer and consultation about things helps us maintain a good, cool focused view.

Pray. Think it over. And take no actions at all if you are angry or in an emotional state.

6. For the most part, if you want to model again but are feeling fearful, there are lots of female artists that are out there. Yes, anyone can take advantage of anyone, but your chances are better using female artists. That's just a general observation.

Hope that helps.

If you take none of this advice, heed this.. pause, go slow. and pray.

In doubts, do nothing.

Always listen to yourself.

[lobsterpress7]

Marc, I have to disagree with you here. You talk about almost being a vigilante in blackening a person's name yet you have no solid proof that this guy did what is said he did. You have not seen the pictures. So, you cannot say for sure this is the case.

First the person needs to be 100 percent sure without any doubt, that this person in the pictures is her. And without the head --there is no proof unless there are birthmarks or specific markings on the body. Just from a legal standpoint, that would mean there is no proof.

I am not saying this did not happen. I truly believe that it happened. But I also believe that there are a million models with a million poses and many can be seen as "the same". I believe what this person wrote--it all sounds true.

But we cannot go full scale on vigilante blackening someone's name without any solid evidence.

Writing in a blog is one thing. That is fine. But to say that you will post this person's name all over the place, that's going a bit overboard. Just suppose, okay JUST SUPPOSE, this guy got another girl to do the same poses that he asked this girl to do, and just suppose he did the art with that other girl as the model? Okay, just suppose that could happen.

In that case, you go off and ruin a guy's reputation because you think that he did something wrong?

I do not believe in that. I believe in posting one's own opinion and yes, even blogging about it. Let people read your blog about what happened. And let everyone decide for themselves.

This guy, if he did use this person's body for this , and did that without permission (and obviously he had no permission from this particular model), then yes, spread the word.

But do it carefully not wildly as in a vendetta. On the off chance there is another model who posed for him in those exact poses. What do you do when that model comes forward as this guy's witness? What do you do then?

See, it's possible this guy has many models who have posed for him. And 'what if" there is one who looks just like this woman?

I am just thinking of all the what ifs here, all the possibilities.

I am trying to be neutral here. I do believe this person's post. I believe that she did model for him. And I believe that she truly believes those pictures are of her own body. And that is all she needs for herself.

She knows the truth.

Also, I believe that the truth ALWAYS comes out. So I have no doubt that if this guy is guilty, then his truth will come out also. It might take months or years but the truth comes out.

Ask around if this has happened to any other models. Collect your information and find your evidence.
I am not a lawyer, so I have no legal information. But there are lawyers out there who will help you if you want.


COnsult the lawyers that help artists for free. Your modeling is your art. Consult that group of lawyers who will
give you free consultations . They can advise you best of all.

[lobsterpress7]

I am really sorry this has happened to you. Listen to yourself. Go with your gut instinct, always.

[Inncoent Victim]

Hello Marc, I have been meaning to reply, I also have been so distressed that I stayed away. I read your reply for the first time just now and even though lobsterpress7 (I thank u too Sir for your reply ) considers you a vigilante it made me feel good because you are right; it is responsible business. When you wrote string him up it made me laugh, it still is making me giggle a bit, I just haven't heard that expression in a while. I really need to laugh like I used to, thank you for helping me some. And yes, I will do these things tastefully and with restraint. If this situation was as simple and cut and dry as it appears to be, believe me I would have dropped his name all over the place already. This photographer might have been hired by someone to take the pictures of me. None the less, he allowed this in his place where my privacy was expected.

Lobsterpress7 thank you for you informative reply also, your reasoning in keeping this as quite as possible is the reason why I haven't made such a public issue of it. Plus who knows how vindictive this person is,and what he or his friends will do if I do blacken his name some.This is inevitable though, those pictures are me and I cant just forget what was done.

Marc, thank you. I wish it was as simple as just getting him into trouble, I am willing to spend money to hire someone if they can help me. I would like to find out why he did this, did he give these pictures to someone, are they the ones who owns this bulletin board where these pictures are appearing or if the photographer owns this board? It is such a mess, I never thought anything like this would happen to me yet I thank life that this is the only burdon it is giving me right now when so many other people wish that this problem was theirs. I am not forgetting that so many others are having much worse things in their lives so I am not going to go on how miserable I feel and shocked this would happen. Even so, I have endeavors and projects to work on, and to waste my time trying to find help with all this has ruined the past year. I am trying to now focus on my life first and figure what I can do, without letting this grab hold of all my happiness, I am not giving up, it is just very hard because of the laws that Lobsterpress7 mentioned. This person knew he could get away with it.
It is so nice to feel that both you gentlemen seem to be honest individuals that wouldn't hurt anyone. I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving Marc and Lobsterpress7. And thank you for your time and concern and I guess I will keep you up on things. Bye.

[Colleen Patricia Williams]

That is just not done!!! I say call the cops, talk to an attorney. I'm sorry that happened to you.