Do I post about this? Do I not? Do I let it slide?
Plain and simple – it’s theft in my opinion. I will post about this. I won’t let it slide. I’m willing to die on that hill.
I know this may alienate me from members of this community. I’m prepared – here we go. This is about potential theft. This is about my ethos. My branding. My work. I’ve been a media creator now, in some capacity or other, for roughly 26 years. It comes with its own set of issues, as does any profession. Simply put – this is piracy.
Back in 2015 a Handley student attempted to pass my work off as their own. He posted something on social media that was blatantly misleading – using my image as his own. Actually directly taking credit for it. I called him on it and it went as deep as the superintend of Winchester Public schools becoming involved. I believe I received a letter from the school system (or at least a call) and the parents voluntarily brought their son to me to apologize face to face. It was an incredible situation in which to be involved.
Fast forward a couple years when my alma mater, James Madison University, created a commemorative brick program for anyone who wanted a collector brick from the demolition of the long-standing Gibbons Dining Hall. I signed up. I wanted one. I worked there all four years of my college career. I was pretty excited about it actually. It came in the mail, I opened the box and was shocked to see MY image used on the commemorative Certificate of Authenticity. Without permission!! I was floored. I pursued it. I won my case. Another incredible situation with which to be involved.
Fast forward to now. Here we go again! Are you kidding me?! Why photography? Help me understand the mentality behind this. I’ve had people post my images and use them in various outlets throughout the years. I’ve even had the local University directly tell me to send them one of my photos. No asking, just basically “give it to us!” Yes, I get it. This won’t stop. But to have my photo actually stolen and passed off as being owned by someone else? Where’s the disconnect? What’s happening that makes people think, “yeah, I like that. I’ll take it. It’s mine now?.”
- a rhetorical question for which, I’m aware, many have a specific answer
Help me understand. We need an about face. We need a u-turn. Let’s do a 180. #volte-face
