This kiddo makes me laugh.  Out loud.  Even a few days later.  He is by far one of the smilingest and happiest babies I get to entertain...and he entertains ME more!

And this first image?  Seriously?  Not only can I hear HIM laugh...but he makes ME laugh!  If images only came with sound! :)  *And FYI... yes, I'm totally THAT funny.*

Soft... Sweet... Precious... Beautiful... Alert... And a one rough day.

All of these apply to this wonderful little girl, but being a newborn isn't the easiest of jobs.  After all they have left the warmth and comfort and dark of 9 months to enter noises and lights and temperature fluctuations and new 'foods' and cold baby wipes on a hiney and itchy clothes and swaddling like mummmies...really...I might want to go back too. ;)

And little Miss K, who gave her best, and shined like a superstar through tummy aches and a restless session, fell asleep for approximately 15 minutes.  But all in all...15 minutes of pure gold!

This post is going to be very lengthy, very personal and VERY important.  If you don't have the time, MAKE time; now or later, it doesn't matter.  But read this.  It's important to your safety, your family's and children's safety.  Sit down, snuggle in, and get ready to be pissed.  Because this is real and prevalent and an ongoing war with evil.  You are not immune.  But you can fight, because that is exactly what I am going to do.  Did that peak your interest?  It had better, because the rest of what I have to tell you requires action...by YOU.

Points to remember:

My Facebook settings were and are private.

This violation is about ME, not my kids OR my clients.

My account has not been hacked.  It is still safe to be my Facebook friend.

This situation should make you concerned and prompt you to action to protect yourself and those you love.

If you have a business page...or Google listing...linked to your name, you should be even MORE concerned.

This is NOT a campaign to remove your images, or delete your Facebook account.  It IS a campaign of awareness.

If you don't agree with my story, in part or the whole.  That's all right.  I don't live to please anyone but my Savior.  Drop me as a friend, business client or blog stalker.  I'm OK with that.  I just hope, one day you don't remember this story because it happened to you too.

Gosh. Where to begin.  Except to say that this week has been personally devastating.  If you aren't friends with me or follow me, you may not know.  Some people say that not knowing or telling is a good thing.  Because as I heard last week... "Why would you want to make what happened to you public?"  "Why would you give this person any more recognition?"  "No one will know unless they visit that site, so why talk about it?"  All good questions.  All that deserve answers.  But for answers, we must begin at the beginning...

Last Tuesday, any other normal Tuesday, right?  So I thought.  Here's how it started...

Background:

I am a small town Christian mom to 2 little girls and an awesome husband. My life is relatively quiet and my word and reputation is like gold to me, especially since I am a small business owner in a competitive industry (photography). Like millions of people today, I have a Facebook account. I use it to share and connect personally and promote my business professionally. I have always taken great considerations when it comes to privacy, and strive to keep my account as secure as it can be in this day and age; for myself AND my clients.

However, January 18, I began to get email notifications by Facebook of strangers 'Subscribing' to my public updates from my personal profile. The 'Subscribe' option was employed by Facebook in the last few months as a way for 'public figures' to be able to promote their businesses and 'causes'.  'Subscribing' is linked to your personal account...However, because my privacy settings are so secure, I never have any public updates. I used it as a way to forward people to my business page (I am listed as "The Owner at Tin Star Photography").

Anyway, these individuals who 'subscribed' to my personal account were strangers; no common friends, strange profiles, and from random countries even.  I blocked them and reported them to Facebook as harassing.  I thought it was strange, but wasn't sure if it was a random thing or maybe virus related.

Then I began to receive strange emails. These emails came from a form page on my business website. They included pornographic statements and content. I deleted them.  Now I was concerned.

Then I received comments on my actual Facebook Tin Star business/fan page (NOT my personal page, my BUSINESS page). The comments from individuals were not people I knew, and once again, we had no common friends, etc. Their profiles were shady and the content was disgusting.  The comments all included the same link: isanyoneup.com.  I again reported them to FB and banned them from my page.

I talked in length to my husband, and we started the research to see if this was in fact a virus, a scam or something worse.  It was worse.

I then received comments on a personal blog I write for my 2 little girls that included a direct link to a post that contained information about me.

All of this happened in a matter of 3-4 hours.

The Violation:

A screenshot of my profile image (your profile page may be private and open to friends only, your profile IMAGE is not private) was taken and posted on a revenge porn site with random images of someone who is NOT me below it. The content is VERY pornographic in nature and not only links my name and business, but my life. The screen shot includes my business name and my Facebook business page/name.  Because I am a business, my information...email, phone number, city,  state, address, etc...is all very easily accessible.  (Which HAS been accessed - as of this blog post, I am still receiving harassing and disgusting emails, comments and calls.)

SO, as far as my husband and I can figure out... We think the girl's images posted below my FB profile image is named Dana Perkins. Some douche canoe who was mad at his ex searched FB for a Dana Perkins and came up with me. He (or Hunter Moore) copied my FB profile image, and sent it and images of his ex, saying they were one in the same...and everything was published. Including where I live, my business... and lots of not so very nice things about a "Dana Perkins".

 

The Problem:

There were other people's FB profile images copied and published to this website linking them with pornographic images.  Hundreds to be clear...maybe more.  It is horrific.  Names, locations, backgrounds, where they work...all of it...  Whether these FB profiles are the same people as in the images posted below it, I have no idea.  But I can say without a shadow of a doubt, mine is not.  It doesn't take a genius to figure that fact out.  Even Ray Charles could see the difference.

I've had people say... "Well, your Facebook info should have been changed to be more secure and private."

LET ME BE VERY CLEAR... IT WAS AND IS.

LET ME CHALLENGE YOU... Do a search on FB for someone you know but are NOT friends with and see what is listed and visible to you.  A profile image, their timeline image, and their basic information?  Some people's accounts ARE EVEN COMPLETELY OPEN!  Even in this day and age; with all of the warnings and cautions, their accounts are still open.  Mine was not.  Here is the image that was brought up in this douche canoe's search for a Dana Perkins, and then published to Hunter Moore's website  (CAUTION: links contain graphic content/text):

The creator:

Hunter Moore. 25. San Francisco (?) resident.  Disgusting and pathetic.

He has created and runs a revenge porn website - His site has been up for a little over a year and has recently exploded when he started using screen captures of people's FB profile images and linking them to porn images on his site.  He doesn't verify anything.  Anyone can anonymously submit anything they want, and he'll post it.  His site has now gone world-wide.

He has been banned from FB.  Lawyers for FB have as recently as December sent him a Cease and Desist order to stop the publication of Facebook profiles to his site.  His reply to the lawyer was to send him a picture of his genitals.  So although HE can't access FB as himself, that doesn't prevent him from searching and doing screen captures...OR people who FOLLOW him and are on FB to screen capture images.

Forbes:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2011/12/09/facebook-goes-after-porn-site-that-features-its-users-profiles/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2011/11/22/how-hunter-moore-could-get-into-legal-trouble-for-the-revenge-porn-on-isanyoneup/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2011/07/06/revenge-porn-with-a-facebook-twist/

Why:

So why make all of this information public?

Why draw more attention?

Why not let it go and hope it just 'goes away'?

Why indeed.

So why make all of this information about me public?

Well, if the pornographic images were in fact ME, I might be ashamed and want to hide the situation.  But they aren't.  The connection between me and these images is completely and provably false.  But Hunter Moore doesn't care...or those disgusting and lame people who follow him.  Mr. Moore makes money.  Over $8k a month in advertizing alone.  That's his goal.  He doesn't verify information, that takes time and requires a conscious. 

The information about ME is false.  I have never nor will I ever take, record or print naked images of myself.  And those who do... Haven't you learned from the Pam Anderson escapade?  Do you have a brain?  Are you delusional to think that your past acts won't find you out?  Because my sympathy for you is very small. Judgmental?  Maybe.  But now is not the time to beg for my sympathy.  Now is the time for you to find and burn those records, or wake up and pay attention...Don't do it.  No matter how young and stupid, or how drunk or naive.  If you remember nothing about this story...Remember this post and me yelling at you that you are absolutely stupid if you do it.

There are 2 adults in this UNIVERSE who have seen me without clothes (as an adult)...My doctor, and she's paid to...and my husband, because he's legally obligated to.  That's it.  End of story.

Why draw more attention?

Because this is real.  Because as good and upstanding and honest as you may live your life...there are people out there who don't care about you or your family.  They are consumed by greed and evil and filth.  They are so bogged down in the ashes of their lives, that they can't understand goodness.  They shrink from it.  They work to bring it into the darkness with them.  But they can't, so they fight against it...not knowing that the battle they are REALLY fighting is against themselves and their own  discomfort with the light.  I'd like to coin this as the Tim Tebow effect.  The goodness and the light is too convicting to face so they accuse falsely, they slander, they take pride in their sin and even call it good.  It is disgusting.  And heartbreaking.  As much as I physically despise Hunter Moore and the people who follow him...My creator also created Hunter Moore and his minions.

Why not let it go and hope it just 'goes away'?

Because YOU need to know.  Because YOU need to protect yourself.  Because YOU are not immune.  If I kept quiet and never said anything, this might go away in a few days for me...maybe...but there are still others out there this has and is and will continue to happen to.  So it never really goes away, does it?  So I choose to fight and yell and leave this earth kicking and screaming about injustice; whether about me or someone else who has been wrongfully accused.  I want to leave a legacy for my children that includes living my life to glorify HIM not others and to SHOW them that tolerance and complacency toward evil is siding WITH it. Stand for something or don't stand at all.  My children need to know when and how to fight.  So fight, I must.  And though I don't have all the answers and feel like I'm drowning in a legal pool of crap...I will still yell from the mountain so I can warn others of impending danger.  That's my purpose.  To warn others of the consequences of an evil world and evil people and bad choices.

As of today, I am still receiving comments and calls.  I even received an inquiry through my Professional Photographer's of America membership today.  These disgusting people will go to all lengths and look for all ways to destroy you.  Guard yourselves.

What can YOU do?

I can't tell you how many friends I have that their entire accounts are still completely open and public.  Seriously?  I'll ask you/them the same thing... Are you completely void of all brain matter?!   Go into your account settings NOW, and make sure you are locked down. Do not wait.  There are a million just like Hunter Moore looking for people to exploit out of pure ignorance.

Review your profile image and your timeline image.  Is it just you?  Is it your kids? I'd consider changing that.  Make it an image that isn't easliy altered...make it an image with a group or from a distance that doesn't include faces.  Is this fool-proof?  No.  But it might help.

DO NOT TAG FB IMAGES FROM YOUR PERSONAL ACCOUNT!  So if I tag someone...even my mom...and I'm not sure what HER security settings are...I've just exposed my kids to 1,000's of public hits because of HER unsecure account.  Because now, not only do all of her friends see...but so does the public...those who AREN'T her friends.  This has become even WORSE with the new 'newsfeed'.  How many times do you see one of your friends comment on someone else's wall...and you can see the ENTIRE CONVERSATION...and you aren't even friends with the other party.  Don't believe me?  Hover over a conversation in the newsfeed and see for yourself.  Dangerous.

If you are a business person, and you have a FB business/fan page.  List as little information as you can.  Remove your phone number.  Remove your address.  This might seem harsh, and you might think that it will make it difficult for someone to contact/find you.  Believe me...you're still accessible, but why make it easier for evil to contact you.  Your clients will and should understand.  If they don't, that's one client I didn't need to begin with.  My safety is first.

Be aware of what your kids are doing; teach them responsibility and self respect and self control.  Talk to them openly about the internet and how people use it for the destruction of others and THEM.  If YOU don't talk to them, someone will, and the information they get might not be the most ideal.  Do you want to run that risk?  I don't.

Do you have a personal blog?  Password protect it.  Make it by invitation only.  You think your images are safe and wholesome?  It only takes a little cropping and a little editing to make it less than true, and less than you.

And finally to those of you who have 978 'friends'.  Seriously?  Are you going to tell me that if you got into some sort of deep sheep dip...every single one of those 978 friends would have your back?  Does every single one of them have your and your children's best interest as THEIR number one priority?  Really?  I doubt it.  Not only that, but I would put money onit that they don't. They're voyeurs.  That's it.  Drop them.  Today.  Who cares what they think.  This is YOUR LIFE!  PROTECT IT!

Final words:

The blog I treasured for my girls was removed permanently because now that their site was found by not so upstanding people and comments were made directly on their site, I didn't want to compromise their images and integrity in any way.  It was the ONLY responsible thing to do.  I'm a mom, I would die for them...and I would kill to protect them.  Period.  Harsh?  Yes.  True. YES!

I'm skittish, to say the least.  My number has been removed from everything I can think of.  I don't answer phone calls directly anymore.  That's why I probably won't answer for a while if you do call.  I'm uber paranoid in the store, in my house, in my car, you name it.    These aren't just identity thieves.  These are people that pride themselves on the personal violation of you and me.  These aren't the cowards who take your credit card, charge some stuff and are never caught and you never hear from them.  These people call you...and email you...and comment about you...and CONFRONT YOU.  It gets them off.  It's different.

I've filed a police 'record'...no 'report' since I haven't been threatened.  Nice.  Right?  Sometimes even the law is cowardly.

I've filed complaints with Facebook.  They won't do anything, even though they are in the midst of fighting as well.  Again. Nice. Right?

I've emailed (repeatedly) Hunter Moore's site with removal requests.  The information has YET to be removed. 

So instead of hiding.  I'm going public.  And I'm fighting.  My reputation and convictions will speak for themselves.  Those who know me and love me will support me.  Those who don't can leave now.

To the absolute cowards who submit information ANONYMOUSLY to Hunter Moore.  You are pathetic excuses for a human and a waste of air.  Be real men (or women), and come clean.  Use your name.  Or are you afraid of being harassed?

To those who continue to harass and email and call me...  If you visit my site or my blog, you're tracked.  Your location, your IP, your email, your information.  I have records.  You will be reported.  I will make it public if you continue to do so.  Is the information true?  You'll find out...and so will the rest of the visiting public.

My ultimate goal:

I can honestly say that I have prayed for Hunter Moore every single day in some form or another since the day this happened. 

Hunter Moore was created by MY Creator.  I am worth my Creator's time.  So is Hunter Moore.  So I  must pray.  Pray to replace my hate with love.   To replace the pain in Mr. Moore's life with peace.  To pray for conviction and salvation.  Though the ultimate salvation of Hunter Moore might not be a part of God's plan... God's plan for MY life is that I would use this situation to inform others and reflect Him.  Can I do that on my own?  Absolutely not.  Hate and revenge for what has happened is my weakness.  But in my weaknesses, He makes me strong. 

I know I'm not strong enough to be everything that I'm supposed to be, I give up, I'm not strong enough, Hands of mercy won't you cover me, Lord right now I'm asking you to be, Strong enough, For the both of us.
MATTHEW WEST - STRONG ENOUGH LYRICS

What a beautiful and fun family I get to work with...and since the beginning of this little one.  BUT... things have changed now...she's MOBILE!  She squirmed and wiggled and I was just fast enough to document it all. 

What an honor to share in this moment.  What a great gift to this nana and this baby's memories.  Invauable.  Irreplaceable.  And treasured forever... :)

Tessa celebrated her first birthday with me...and what a FAB-U-LOUS way to kick off 2012!  She is absolutely one of the most beautiful little babies, uber photogenic, a bucket of personality, and I will follow (ok, photo stalk) her for the rest of my days. ;)

Yummy...yummy...yummy... From the little pucker and the drool on the belly to the final banshee yell when the cake had disintegrated and no longer edible.  Happy Birthday Tessa!!!

Time is my enemy.  Of this I am sure.  For it steals all the days and moments and itty bittyness.  It sounds so cliche to say, "I remember the day we brought you home...or how tiny you were...or how precious you are..."  So I won't say these things.  I will show you some day in the images I take.  And I will tell you how strong and big and independant and articulate you already were at 2; and I will tell you what a wild flight it was raising you.  My little AJ the Jet Plane. 

But mostly I will tell you how we prayed about you before you were even to be.  And how God knew about you from the beginning of time.  And I will tell you how much He loves you; more than we ever did or could.  And how He died for you and calls you His beloved.  And I will tell you how I have prayed for you all the days of your life, and will until I have passed from this one.  You and your big sister, who loves you more than even she herself knows, are the reasons I get up each day with a song in my heart.  And no mater how miserably I have and will fail you and her, I will remind you of how much I will love you until I take my last breath.  I am yours, you are mine, we are His. And I pray for every good and perfect thing for your life, for your hapiness, for your success and for your ultimate salvation and love for the God who created such a wonderful little human.  My heart. My love.  My Audrey Jane. 

Elin.  Beautiful.  Dreamy.  Perfect.

I have NO idea which is my favorite, or if I would even be able to pick a top 3...I'm just in love with them all.  And her.  And everything about this session and family.  What a blessed little lady to be born into such a family as this.

ps ~ But if I did have to pick a 'pull at my petstrings' image...It would DEFINITELY the first one. Paws down.  :)

I've seen this little family since the beginning practically...the beginning of little Miss Elizabeth...who was supposed to be a he...but turned out to be a surprise she...and one of the best things since pink tutus.

She turned one AND just in time for her service man daddy to come home and celebrate with her!  And now they are complete once again.  And in bliss.  Once again.  And I think the look on Elizabeth's little baby face says it all...  "Daddy's home! Merry Christmas to me!"  :)

He looks like anything but a king. His face is prunish and red. His cry, though strong and healthy, is still the helpless and piercing cry of a baby. And he is absolutely dependent upon Mary for his well-being.

Majesty in the midst of the mundane. Holiness in the filth of sheep manure and sweat. Divinity entering the world on the floor of a stable, through the womb of a teenager and in the presence of a carpenter.

She touches the face of the infant-God. How long was your journey!

This baby had overlooked the universe. These rags keeping him warm were the robes of eternity. His golden throne room had been abandoned in favor of a dirty sheep pen. And the worshiping angels had been replaced with kind but bewildered shepherds.

Meanwhile, the city hums. The merchants are unaware that God has visited their planet. The innkeeper would never believe that he has just sent God into the cold. And the people would scoff at anyone who told them the Messiah lay in the arms of a teenager on the outskirts of their village. They were all too busy to consider the possibility.

Those who missed His Majesty’s arrival that night missed it not because of evil acts or malice; no, they missed it because they simply weren’t looking.

Little has changed in the last two thousand years, has it?

Max Lucado ~ God Came Near