For a while I've wanted to pour out everything in my heart, but it's been bottled up. Out of fear, humiliation, and hurt. What I've encountered in the past few days is one of the hardest moments of my professional life, but I need to address this face-forward.
There are truth and lies swarming the internet and I need to take a moment to clear the air. But before I do that, I need to apologize to anyone I've offended. Knowing I've let people down is one of the hardest things to accept. Beyond all else, I've let myself down and the shame I feel is overwhelming.
Firstly, I need to address the most pressing matter at hand. For the past seven years I've blogged 1,500+ posts. I was passionate about creating a blog to share content I learned along the way. I placed an inordinate amount of pressure on myself to write and produce content every day. This {self-imposed} pressure led me to compromise my ethics and publish four blog posts using content I sourced from other blogs. I absolutely should have cited the sources, but didn't. I was wrong. I totally admit this is my fault and I'm humiliated by my actions.
The posts (three posts written in 2012 and one in 2013) were removed, I contacted the publishers of each blog, and I apologized. I offered to make amends any way I could and, thankfully, they responded gracefully.
Since then, a petition has started to remove my name from a list of speakers at WPPI. The petition is unnecessary because I've removed myself from the speaker list. This was a difficult decision to make, but I love this industry too much to see a group of people use my flaws to polarize photographers.
Secondly, those accusing me of stealing a photo to promote a workshop are wrong. I've never used someone else's photo as my own. In 2010, I was invited to speak at a workshop (hosted by a magazine and I was an invited guest) and they created marketing material on their own. The magazine used an image to promote the event. I spoke for free, gave of my time, and didn't have a say as to how the event would be promoted.
Thirdly, on August 16, 2013, I addressed and apologized for misleading my Twitter followers. You can read the entirety here:
Lastly, for anyone who has accused me of using a fake name is wrong. I was born Jasmine Star Juarez, and later changed it to Jasmine Star DeLaTorre (my married name). I've never hidden this fact, and have chosen to use my first and middle name for business purposes.
I appreciate those who've stood by my side during this time. It's been a humiliating lesson, but those who have encouraged me to move forward are priceless and I appreciate it more than I can express. My actions are entirely my own and I accept full culpability. These explanations aren't suppose to justify my actions, but merely commit to making better decisions and bring full disclosure to the situation. Again, my sincerest apologies.
All i will say is that the word Mistake is being misused.
It is NOT ok to STEAL and get on podiums to lie to ppl who in the eye, ppl who look up to you! I still dont get how you afforded a $10K photographer for your own wedding, flied all your immediate family to your own wedding in Hawaii while (your words) "i was so broke, i was shooting jpg because i could not afford bigger memory cards" Now i wonder if you were a lie from the get go! I just wonder. It would have been different if you apologized on your own, but you lived with that lie. If you were not called out, if you were not caught red handed, i am sure you'd do it again. You and a few others who think it's fair game when u are famous make me sick!
Bankers could learn something from this post! :) Keep on photographing, Jasmine. We all make mistakes, especially under pressure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPtH2KPuQbs
love.
She has clearly made it her job to help people. NONE of you would even know who she is if that were not the case. This is industry sucks. You are so quick to turn on anyone and everyone. Clearly she should have cited sources. But the fact that people are basically throwing out everything she's ever done up to this point. That's just silly. You are all silly. And it's not funny, it's sad.
Stealing is NOT good! She was an adult, she went to law school if I remember correct. I think, if she was not caught, she would continue to do this... Remember, it's not once, it's not twice.. She has done this many times. Let's not forget this Jasmine fans, before you give her a slack. If it was your content stolen, you'd feel different. It does not make it OK to STEAL if the person stealing is a star(!)
If Jasmine's apology is open, honest and meant to address real concerns, then why is it NOT posted on her own site? It was posted here on 10/12, but does not appear on her site at all. Seems inappropriately insufficient to me.
But, she does have a great post about how to win an ONA bag?!?!
I copy and paste a lot of tweets, god forbid I get famous. A retweet is sometimes not sufficient to say hey, I feel the exact same way; you jus knew to say it better. I always return a good tweet with a follow as i consider it paying homage. Until now, I wasn't aware the twitter police were actually real.
The rage from the photography community is unwarranted unless you have personally written the material she plagiarised. It's absolutely none of your business, not your beef move along.
If you were a fan, perhaps you are okay to be slightly disappointed beyond that you are just sad imho.
By all means be the change you believe in.
And while everyone is here debating and fighting and trying to get their opinion over every body else... Jasmine is making money taking pictures and with all her merchandise...
I love the beginning headline; it is such a non-apology!!! Hahaha!!!
coffee anyone?
I don't have an ill comments or response to Jasmine. I've followed her quite a bit and sought her times on Creative Live as help and inspiration, What she puts on on her blog takes time and effort and is readily available and helpful. Posting tips (wherever they come from) to spread to the masses helps many photographers of all branches.
Is it wrong to plagiarize and not give credit? Absolutely, however this is the age of the internet, and fast paced life, mistakes happen, sometimes not 100% due to one person or another, but they happen. I personally don't hold it against J-Star. She's given so much free advice and selfless help, this can easily be apologized for and done with.
It took a big person to do what she did, and she's a greater person for it
Stealing and theft plain and simple.
Apologies don't excuse acts, but they strengthen the character to potentially not make the same mistake again. She should be commended for owning it and at the same time she should fully expect and accept all the fallout (judgements, penalties, criticism, ect.) behind it.
Personally, I think, and have always thought she was an awesome photographer.
I come out of an industry (photojournalism) that if you plagiarize your career would be over. Let me be blunt, she did not make a mistake. A mistake is forgetting to turn on a blinker or running a stop sign. I would have a lot more respect if she admitted she was a lair and a thief. That is being honest. I made a mistake is just one more lie. Does anyone want to bet that is all she plagiarized. Let me ask you do really trust her. What is her word worth now?
FullMetal I am totally in agreement with you. Back in the 80s when I started shooting, your rep was only as good as your last image and that was EVERYTHING. Stealing an image is the kiss of death. The iPhone photog generation has no standards. I also say to all her 'fans' you will be judged the same as Ms Star and should be. I give her no forgiveness, she is plain and simple a thief. Period.
Does this sound apologetic to anyone?!
*screen shot off her website
Does this sound apologetic to anyone?
*screen shot off her website
Yes it does she feels bad, really bad for getting caught does anyone want to lay money that she ripped off only four articles. The real question is what else did she lie about and steal because of her hectic life.
" I placed an inordinate amount of pressure on myself to write and produce content every day. This {self-imposed} pressure led me to compromise my ethics and publish four blog posts using content I sourced from other blogs. I absolutely should have cited the sources, but didn’t. I was wrong.." - Jasmine Star.
She not saying she stole she is saying she did give proper attribution. Able she is delusional or a lair or both. Only a fool would trust anything she says without verifying it.
Does anyone wonder if she's really sorry, or sorry that she got caught? Does anyone wonder if she was asked to remove herself from the speaker list, or did it because she is so selfless and "love(s) this industry too much to see a group of people use my flaws to polarize photographers." Does anyone question why if she is so selfless, she hasn't removed herself from the speaker list at PPA's Imaging?
I appreciate the apology. I also appreciate her desire to make it right with the owners of the original content.. .and fstoppers for giving this story prime real estate on the site. I don't ever plan on stealing someones work -but I will most assuredly make mistakes in my business. I hope we can be a community where we recognize will will all be in a position at some point where we are seeking the grace from others - I hope we have the foresight to offer that grace now.
you know what... this is really splitting hairs isn't it? Haven't you yourself ever passed on a suggestion or how to do something without giving credit to who taught you? This witch-hunt is what's despicable about the entire matter...and whoever went to the trouble to dig this sh*t up..... karma baby.... gonna get your a**.....
It is not about attribution, it is about taking credit for someone else's work. Lets be blunt, here, she stole, ripped off, or what ever idiom you want to use, She did not make an apology she made up an excuse, or as some would say damage control.
BTW has anyone check and see if here apology is not a cut and paste job also. ;)
Bottom line, You don't steal other peoples stuff. Apology or not.
What I don't like about her apology is how she says it. She says "I need to apologize to anyone I've offended". Instead she should simply say "I'm sorry". She offended everyone when she stole these blogs. She offended herself, the industry, the authors, all of her readers, ect. Then she goes on and says that she just "sourced" the content. She can't bring herself to say "stole" which is really what she did. I am all about accepting apologies if they are genuine and honest, and I don't feel that this was. She needs to completely own up to the fact that she stole the blogs without saying that she just accidentally forgot to source them. I don't believe that for a second. Then she needs to say a heart felt apology and not just to those she "offended" as if those who find it unacceptable are just easily offended.
Jasmine, honey, I only have THAT MUCH MORE RESPECT for you having posted this dirty laundry on your own. You are such a great example to so MANY people! God bless you sister!!!
I forgive
I still don't see much of an issue. You did a California roll through a stop sign. Everyone who's ever burned a CD is guilty of worse (and they aren't guilty of much, imo).
yeah.... but....
oooops, i used someone else's meme... I apologize....
I have learned a lot from her daily blogs and her videos...all at no cost to me. She got caught up in her own publicity and "fame" and I can understand that. I forgive her and think her photography is very well done. ...and as far as forgiveness,,,,can anyone say Scott Bourne?
There is two things I will say about Scott he would never plagiarize and he is quick to give good advice when needed (maybe somewhat polarizing). I will say this she is lucky she did not plagiarize Scott. If she had she would be going through the 7 gates of Lawyer Hell. ;)
Lord of the flies!
Grow up and get a life!
Every one deserves a second chance no one is allowed to Judge..that is GODs role.. I didn't know all of you who are commenting so harshly, were doing GODs job today. Life is about where you are currently standing but its in the direction you are heading and she is making the step that she needs to make to continue on with in life. I have never seen so many people incapable of compassion and forgiveness. Life is full of second chances, third, fourth and fifth chances. FAILURE exists only when you refuse to try again. However, this doesn't mean that the consequences of her mistakes aren't expensive and life changing. She has had a chance to absorb in the consequences of her betrayal. DONT YOU SEE THAT AS ENOUGH. Every one has a past, everyone makes mistakes… WE ARE NO BETTER. Her work is great work and it shows. If she is given a second chance and FSTOPPERS keeps her on her, that is great, she is fortunate, if they do not then she will learn for her next venture. Wisdom is often lost on those with the propensity for lying, cheating, and disloyal behaviors but people do have the ability to change when they come to the realization that they have failed themselves. I believe that the human spirit is capable of great things including real change. I believe in second chances and I am sure we all have experiences where we have given someone a second chance. The way that you are all speaking about Jasmine so harshly, cruelly, hatefully and spitefully doesn't give her the opportunity to have a second chance. Im sure if you were in her position you would want that second chance. I am disappointed….to say the least in most of the NEGATIVE comments. Social media is a liars paradise. I have learned and hope to continue to learn from Jasmine. So FORGIVE me… because we are NO ONE to FORGIVE you… EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE!
And I give credit where credit is due… these words are not mines but they suit all of you!
She's been caught again by Photo Stealers! http://stopstealingphotos.com/jasmine-star-part/
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