MG Photography aka Michael Giard in Molalla, Oregon

Gallery September 12, 2014 photostealers 243 Comments

Website: http://www.inhomephotography.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mgPhotographer
Wedding.com: http://www.wedding.com/public-connects.php?userid=93420
Snap Knot: http://snapknot.com/blog/candid-wedding-pictures/

Smugmug may be cleaning up the website gallery but luckily I have screen captures. The Facebook appears to be clean.

Original source

Unknown original source

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Unknown original source

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Original photographer

Unknown original photographer (groom is a famous football player in the UK)

Original source (unknown photographer)

Original source

Original photographer

Original source

Lindsay11

Oh thank Glob, I’m so sick of Tasha Wile and Renee Bratton!

http://api.ning.com/files/-YMJFOZfoeygeAdxSmb*9XTOziRdcY-WmGAuYHgouPpByV3rKaxyKOJl6TllWLAF6Q-Ve3vslqregCwllSeYVxHGYhTpCsJk/tumblr_m67hdzYIJJ1qlzkku1.gif
- You can’t fix stupid
  
  I wonder what exciting new stories he is going to come up with?
  - Lindsay11
    
    Can I call Bingo prematurely? I call Bingo!
    - You can’t fix stupid
      
      I kinda leaning for him blaming Bush. We had Obama so lets blame Bush this time.
      - Lindsay11
        
        Maybe so! I’ll make sure you get credit if he does!
      - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
        
        If he lives in Molalla, it’s more likely he has a shrine to Bush in his backyard.
Lindsay11

Let’s just nip this one in the bud, shall we? I know, it won’t work, but let’s pretend it will.

To MG Photography please do NOT do the following:

1. Flag comments on this listing. We mods will just put them back, so don’t waste your time.

2. Lie. We have heard every excuse in the book, and you will not come up with something we haven’t heard before. You are not a special snowflake. Nothing you can say will justify what you did, so don’t bother.

3. Accuse us of slander (because nobody ever figures out it has to be verbal to be slander). We stick to the facts, and if something is publicly available, it’s fair game.

Please DO the following:

1. Remove any and all stolen images.

2. Apologize DIRECTLY to those from whom you have stolen. You owe them that much.

3. Hope they don’t sue you. Copyright infringement is illegal under the law, and you can be sued for thousands of dollars for EACH stolen image. Yes, seriously.

4. DON’T STEAL. It’s not complicated — if you didn’t take a photo and don’t have permission to use it from the actual copyright holder, then don’t use it. It’s that simple. Yes, seriously. You claim to be a photographer, so why on earth would you want to use others’ images, anyway? How does that make sense?

And remember:

1. If you do it again, you will be caught. Don’t forget — Google knows. Any time someone searched for your business, this listing will come up.

2. Think about the actual victims here (no, not you) — those whose images you stole. You screwed them over. And frankly, that’s a pretty damned crappy thing to do.
- Lindsay11
  
  http://media.tumblr.com/117d0e5923f746643d079bdbbee417bd/tumblr_inline_msgjdcqk3Q1qz4rgp.gif
Lindsay11

If the mods think it needs to be down, they will take it down.
- Marc W.
  
  I think they mean on FB. I think we should wait until they screw up again.
U Really That Dumb?

It’s part of their business.
Lindsay11

Google+ https://plus.google.com/102591956386063637700/posts
- Lindsay11
  
  The only review on his page comes from this person who has uploaded nothing, reviewed only one page and has Michael Girad as a friend. https://plus.google.com/100478046170899326131/posts
  
  This is Michael Girad’s other Google+ https://plus.google.com/100478046170899326131/posts
You can’t fix stupid

I agree with URTD it is part of the business, all social media or anything that is his business falls under this.
http://citrineandblue.com ALP

Facebook is down.
- Lindsay11
  
  You mean this one?
  - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
    
    I’m getting a redirect. Maybe he blocked me. I know I’ve see this guy around before. I think he was the one asking other photographers to go scout locations in the industrial areas for him because he lives in the boonies and refused to drive into Portland (Portland?!?!?!) on week days.
    - Lindsay11
      
      Yes, I am too, but I took a screenshot of most all of it. Including these reviews! *attachement*
      - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
        
        Well done. I hate taking screen shots on our desktop PC. It’s such a pain.
      - Lindsay11
        
        Phew! I learned my lesson earlier today about not taking screenshots.
Guest

From his personal FB: Looks like he one stars other photographers from his area. Classy!
http://museandsparrow.com/ StephCook

From his personal FB: Looks like he one stars other photographers from his area.
- Guest
  
  screenshot wouldn’t load in last comment
  - Lindsay11
    
    Did you press the little landscape picture down there an upload it?
    - http://museandsparrow.com/ StephCook
      
      yes, but it’s not working, I added the link in the first comment though
      - Lindsay11
        
        How’s this? You might have to refresh. https://www.facebook.com/themykel/activity/10202830014524985
      - Stephc79
        
        Oh, and removed his one star ratings too! LOL
- http://museandsparrow.com/ StephCook
  
  why can’t I post a screenshot? grrrr!
  - Photo Stealers
    
    refresh and it should be there.
    - http://museandsparrow.com/ StephCook
      
      thanks
- BullShite
  
  Wow what a douche!
Photo Stealers

I post the link because it’s another location of his. I try to link the sites where they are at so that if/when a client stumbles onto this page they can make sure it’s the right/wrong photographer. There’s usually more than one of whatever name photography I’ve listed (heck, there’s more than one MG Photography in this guy’s service area).

I’ve also thought that pages were clean in the past to find out they were not.
- http://citrineandblue.com ALP
  
  He’s basically inside my area so I don’t want to go overboard with my cult behavior
  - Lindsay11
    
    If he’s inside your area I hope you are spreading the news to other local photographers/clients!
    - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
      
      On the local wedding community groups.
Lindsay11

Please add his plagiarism tag! http://www.inhomephotography.com/Admin/About-Me/n-76tTv/
- http://museandsparrow.com/ StephCook
  
  He already removed his name from the bottome of the ABOUT ME page!
  - Lindsay11
    
    Hahaha wow, so he has. Within 10 minutes of posting here! Do you think he might be watching this page?
http://museandsparrow.com/ StephCook

Twittter

https://twitter.com/themykel
- Lindsay11
  
  Dang, twitter is down within 10 minutes too. It’s almost like he’s watching this page or something!
  - Marc W.
    
    Why would someone who is really sorry and has took everything down start shutting down their sites?
U Really That Dumb?

Hmm.
While I have multiple bodies, I don’t have multiple brands when it comes to DSLR’s.
MG Photo

this was a mistake I did and apologize and have corrected it on my part. I was made aware of this site a few minutes ago when I received three phone calls from blocked numbers with physical threats. Marcus, who you erroneously claim to be me, is a minor (whose information you posted) who I have shot on multiple occasions. I am in the process of mailing everyone I wronged and am sorry, it will not happen again. I would like to request my personal information be removed as the calls are harrassment. Also if you could remove the information regarding the minor as well.

as for some of the pictures posted here (including the two listed with different bodies), those are my work
- U Really That Dumb?
  
  Where are the references to Marcus?
  As for the calls. They are not condoned by Photo Stealers! That said, many stealers have claimed this and never been able to provide proof. If this is truly happening, call the police and let them handle it.
  - MG Photo
    
    Condoned or not they are happening (5 now including a death threat) and will be reported to the police. This isn’t meant as a threat vs this page, I know I did wrong and admit to that, just a statement of fact. As for Marcus, someone posted a link to his page and claimed it was another version of me. I won’t be replying any mute, I merely came to apologize.
    - U Really That Dumb?
      
      Not OK!
      That said, again, way too many people come here claiming that and never provide proof.
      As mentioned, you may now have a number of enimies that have nothing to do with this page.
    - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
      
      The mods on this site would live to know who these people are. But its not necessarily anyone posting here.
    - http://philbertphotography.com Joseph Philbert
      
      You must stole from someone that has a short fuse. I suggest you remove ALL your contact information on the internet.
  - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
    
    It’s funny how often the apology is preceded by claims of threats from some unnamed mysterious person or persons.
    - Marc W.
      
      Plus, sounds like a “sorry I got caught” apology.
    - Bart
      
      …and no proof of calls or police reports of said calls. I posted a link for him to “trap” the calls if he is in fact getting them.
      There are several companies out there that can get the call info, number, owner, etc… and of course there is always Law Enforcement.
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        The problem is they never do. They just come yelling and screaming and never provide proof or followup with LE.
    - MG Photo
      
      not just claims. I screwed up, I admit it, I’m contracting who I wronged. but that’s are insulted got as well as Lindsey posting Marcus’ i
      - Marc W.
        
        Report those calls. We do not condone that.
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        Honestly, if you have a minor child on the web, that’s on you. There would be no way for anyone to know he is a minor.
        Also, others have claimed similar things all in attempts to get things removed. Heck, Renee claimed within a two hour span that Greg was her husband, then claimed it was a friend. Turns out it was her. So yeh, we will have a hard time believing you.
      - Bart
        
        MG Photo: I have faith your telling the truth about the calls. Send everything to voicemail unless you know who it is, that way there is evidence for the police to follow up on. There are also many ways to get that info yourself. Use Google to find out how to trap a call.
      - Lindsay11
        
        Why do stealers find spelling my name impossible? It’s not like it’s written out all over this page?
        
        There were no photos, contact info or age that I saw on Marcus’ page. If he even is a minor, like URTD said, that’s on you. It was on a public page and at any rate, it’s gone now.
        
        This may be a good teaching moment for the entire family Michael! Teach the adults and the children in the family not to steal and how to be safe on the internet.
      - Marc W.
        
        I know what it’s like Lindsoy. I lived on a street in college where the apartment office had the wrong spelling of the street on the front of their building… “really?”
      - Lindsay11
        
        Lindsoy sounds like an asian fusion cooking sauce!
      - V323
        
        At least they get the overall name correct, Linzee. I get every name that starts with a V & ends with an A…
      - Lindsay11
        
        HAH! When I was in 8th grade I decided that since no one could spell my name correctly anyways I was going to be “Lynzee”.
        
        That lasted about a month.
        
        And now you have me trying to guess your name! :p
      - Helena
        
        The line was crossed when a minor’s information was allowed to be published online. That’s not Lindsay’s fault at all, and had she known I am 100% sure she wouldn’t have posted the information.
  - BullShite
    
    Not only that, you might consider the fact that the people you stole from, and the people in the images you stole might also be a bit miffed at your behaviour…. let alone all of the one star reviews you gave local photographers. (Brilliant business strategy BTW.)
    
    The people on this board do not go around making prank phone calls, because for us it is not personal. We didn’t take the images you stole, nor did we appear in the photos you stole.
- Bart
  
  Just some info for the threatening phone calls. And of course Law Enforcement.
  http://www.trapcall.com/
- U Really That Dumb?
  
  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE call the police and find out who it is! We do not want people like that here. That is not acceptable in any way! Please report back privately to the site.
- Marc W.
  
  Stealing photos and leaving one star reviews for competitors? How can both of those be mistakes? You say you’ve been shooting since the film era, why would you need to steal?
  - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
    
    A lot if the shooters from the film era could not make the transition to digital for a variety if reasons and a portfolio from the 90s isn’t going to do you much good at this point.
    - Marc W.
      
      True, but it’s been a while since the transition started.
      - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
        
        I wonder how much the recession may have driven some people that had good tten out of photography back to trying it. Lord knows the NW hasn’t really recovered. If you’re staring down the barrel of a few college tuition payment … I guess I could see the incentive to steal. He worked at Intel at some point.
    - Justin Case
      
      A fine point. Regardless, ethics should easily translate from one era to another.
    - Me, Myself and I
      
      Doesn’t change the legality (or illegality in this case) of the act but yeah … getting back in after 20+ years being out of the game could be a bit difficult but then you do it the old fashioned way and start from scratch.
      
      But even then, you must still have good work in your film portfolio… unless you were truly terrible.
      
      Don’t get me wrong, I do wedding photography and I have nothing but respect for good wedding photographer who still shoot film (a dying breed if ever there was one) … I can;t even imagine shooting a wedding on film these days.
      - Marc W.
        
        I disagree, there are a good number of wedding photographers using film now. And I think there will be more.
      - Me, Myself and I
        
        And they have my respect and admiration.
        I can’t even fathom shooting a wedding on film.
      - Marc W.
        
        It’s been done for 100 years. The main thing is expectation of the B&G.
      - http://philbertphotography.com Joseph Philbert
        
        Yea I also know a few that shoot film …but it’s on tandem with digital..
      - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
        
        Anything shot in the 90s on film would likely look like it was shot in the 90s. That was all I was getting at. Hair, makeup, dress styles would make everything look really dated. (I was in many a wedding as I graduated college and … well bleh.) I have no idea if that actually happened here or not but an old film portfolio might not do someone much good at this point. There are quite a few people in the Portland area that shoot film for weddings but I don’t know of any who do it exclusively.
      - Marc W.
        
        Fair enough. But I guess my point was he’s not someone that started out recently, but has been doing this for many years. Maybe there was a 15 year break, but then it shouldn’t be hard to build up the portfolio again and not having to learn photography from square one.
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        I just met a young man getting in to photography but refuses to use a digital camera. We spent a number of hours together going over questions he had, but in the end I walked away thinking it will be an uphill battle. I just saw his first ten rolls.
        I am hereby giving notice that I am no longer speaking with him!
        Out of ~300 images he had 12 that weren’t darn near perfect in every way.
        
        As for wedding photographers that shoot film, I know of 8. Five of them have been in business less than 4 years. All eight are awesome!
      - Marc W.
        
        That’s the way to learn… well, at least for me. Learn, Learn, Learn, Do, Learn, Do, Do, Learn.
        
        The ones who get enameled in their DSLR without learning the simple basics get so caught up in technology they forget to how to do photography.
      - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
        
        You can just fix it in Photoshop right?
      - Marc W.
        
        =/
      - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
        
        And in the Portland area shooting film is … well, pulling out an old Hasselblad gives you instant hipster street cred, which goes a long way in the Portlandia. I have seen some amazing film work from some people who were barely born yet when film went away (god I’m old) but just having the camera doesn’t mean you can use it. I know I’m being cynical but I’ve had a few run-ins lately with a few of these types in the area and I’m having a hard time giving any of them the benefit of the doubt.
      - Marc W.
        
        “but just having the camera doesn’t mean you can use it.”
        
        That’s with anything… including DSLRs. I get the “are you a professional” when I have the DSLR out. I get, probably, weirder looks when I have the Mamiya RZ out.
      - Helena
        
        My dad is giving me his Canon AE-1P. I’m actually pretty excited to shoot on film again. Haven’t done since about 1998.
      - Marc W.
        
        Checkout some Kodak Portra 400 film. Yummy.
      - Helena
        
        Will do! It’ll all end up being pictures of my kids, but oh well. How’s yours cooking?
      - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
        
        But that requires work. And maybe I’m just cynical but it seems like a lot of people just aren’t willing to do actual work and learn something before they start charging other people money.
      - Marc W.
        
        I’ve been “shooting” since the D200 came out in 2005 ish. I’m very tech savvy and I’m very good at operationing gear and understand it very well. I’m still learning the actual “good” photography part. NOW, I’m finally comfortable enough to actually charge people… barely.
      - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
        
        I’ve been around photography my entire life (my dad drove the family crazy with it) and I still want to bang my head against a wall sometimes. From what I saw on his Facebook page before I was blocked, he shoots a lot of studio sports photos and has been for at least a few years but the lighting set up are just not good. I’m not trying to critique or maybe I am; I guess I’m just seeing this as evidence of someone who doesn’t want to put in the work to get better. Shortcuts.
- peaceetc
  
  As others have already written, please report any and all harassing phone calls to the proper authorities. This site does not condone that behavior at all, and anyone who engages in that behavior should be dealt with appropriately. Even if you can’t prove who did it, file a police report. A record needs to be made, in case it happens again.
  
  As for the other stuff, I very much hope you are sincere and actively working to rectify the situation. In case you aren’t aware, those from whom you stole have the legal right to sue you under US copyright law for thousands of dollars for each misused image. But owning up to what you did personally and publicly is a great first step, and might help prevent such lawsuits.
  
  I would also suggest you apologize to your clients on your sites and social media. They deserve to know you were presenting a false image, using work which wasn’t yours. I doubt most of them will ever see this page, so an apology here won’t reach them.
  
  I’m not sure about the issue with the minor, and will leave that to the owner of this site.
  - Marc W.
    
    Anyone else not holding their breath for a real public “apology” on his social media sites?
    - Lindsay11
      
      Does he have any left up?
      - Marc W.
        
        Exactly. I’m not having a good vibe. I suspect a take down and hide approach.
    - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
      
      He blocked me from his Facebook page but, no, I will not be holding my breath.
      - Lindsay11
        
        I think it’s gone? I just get kicked back to my feed and he can’t have blocked me.
      - Marc W.
        
        Blocked you? He’s got something to hide? hm
      - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
        
        I posted the link to PS on the page and in the Oregon and Portland photography groups that I belong to. I’m persona non gratin as it were.
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        But I LOVE Gratin!
      - Marc W.
        
        I looked up the saying… I’m can understand now.
        
        http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=persona%20non%20gratin
- Me, Myself and I
  
  The calls are not coming from any of the regulars. We don’t tolerate that.
  
  That being said, your contact information is already all over the web, not from this posting but because you made it available yourself.
  
  How do you think people HERE found it?
  
  Do contact the police over the threatening phone calls … those people are hurting our cause more than helping.
- Nick Sirmans
  
  Michael, Have you contacted the photographers you stole from? Have you apologized to them? If so, show us or direct them here so that they may confirm it.
  
  The phone calls are unnecessary and wrong, but I don’t agree with some of the others here. It IS someone from this site, probably not an active member, but none-the-less, it has to be someone from here because how else would they know what is going on? To anyone that has made these calls….You are not helping anyone, only hurting the reputation of this website and feeding in to the accusations of harassment and bullying. Not cool!
  - Lindsay11
    
    Nick it absolutely does not have to be someone from this site. It could be someone he has stolen from. It could be a friend of someone he has stolen from. It could be certain past stealers who are pissed off and want to exact revenge against the site.
    
    Why are you so certain it’s someone from here? Is it you?
    - Nick Sirmans
      
      No, not me! I just meant that the origination of the calls was from someone seeing the listing here on the site, hence; Someone from this site.
      MM&I, your analogy of the newspaper readers is perfect, illustrates what I meant, and I was in no way placing blame on the site itself.
  - Me, Myself and I
    
    Oh I agree … someone probably found the listing here and are venting, trolling … but that would be like blaming a newspaper because some of their readers are looting and violently protesting over something they printed.
    
    I’m not trying to diminish the severity of their actions … just trying to insure that blame is assigned appropriately.
  - peaceetc
    
    Please be careful with your wording, Nick. It’s not anyone *from* this site, as it is run by one person, and she certainly would never do it. And the three mods here haven’t done it. So if someone found this listing here and decided to call — they aren’t from this site, nor in any way related to it. It would be like someone reading an article on cnn.com about someone and taking it upon themselve to harass the person the article is about. That person would no more be from CNN than anyone who did the same from a listing here would be from this site.
    
    I’m sure you didn’t mean it that way, but it could be taken as such, so I wanted to clarify.
    - Nick Sirmans
      
      Good point and noted. Should have better clarified. Thank you for clarifying for me.
  - MG Photo
    
    Yes, I have and if the owner of this page wants to contact me I can provide proof of emails sent (and screen captures of the ones where there were no emails)
    - U Really That Dumb?
      
      Submit them through the site.
      - MG Photo
        
        there is only the report option
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        photostealers1@gmail.com
      - MG Photo
        
        I am sending an email to begin with, this is not a quick fix but everything starts somewhere
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        Very true!
        
        Down below is a good list to follow.
        
        http://stopstealingphotos.com/mg-photography-aka-michael-girad-molalla-oregon/#comment-1585165873
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        BTW: Sending emails does not constitute making contact. Pick up the phone, send a written letter, whatever it takes to get to them! It is YOUR responsibility to make this right.
        Make sure you are offering to pay them whatever they ask, including full commercial rights and or added fees and costs. That is still less expensive than for them to come after you.
        
        Also, to clarify, when you get the information on who contacted you (phone, email, etc), pass that on via email to the site as well.
  - Helena
    
    Nick, you’re quite wrong in your assumption. It doesn’t have to be someone from this site at all.
    
    It could be someone who quietly lurked without registering. That person could then register on this site and stir up trouble between regular commenters.
    
    Or it could be a previously outed thief, who being upset with this site wants to discredit the work done here.
    
    Or perhaps a disgruntled photographer (or their friend/relative) whose work was stolen.
    
    All perfectly reasonable explanations, so unless you’re going to predict next weeks lottery numbers for me, then don’t imply with any certainty that phone calls have originated from people here.
    - Helena
      
      Or perhaps we should look to one of the people who was left a spurious negative rating by MG?
  - BullShite
    
    Sorry, what are the basis for you assumptions? You don’t seem like someone who would be so careless as to make a very baseless claim like this. I am surprised.
    This page has existed for a long time, with a community of people that for the most part, has lose bonds of acquaintance, as well as a pretty common mode of behavior in dealing with these people.
    
    There has never (oddly enough) been an issue with stealers being harassed, since that is not the POINT. Yet you, a supposed “newb” comes in here, pretty self assured as to what is and what is not.
    
    We have just had some very high profile stealers in here (Teresa) and stealers that have returned more than once to cause trouble (Melinda/Jaz)…. yet you seem to think it is from us?
    
    Very. Interesting.
- U Really That Dumb?
  
  Oh, and thank you for not trying to blame: Obama, Bush, Webmaster, Assistant, Dog walker, etc.
  - http://philbertphotography.com Joseph Philbert
    
    It’s so rare lol
- U Really That Dumb?
  
  As mentioned time and time again, make sure in those emails, calls, letter, etc. you offer to appropriately compensate them.
  
  If they accept that (that you pay them), get a contract in writing. Have your attorney review it!
  - Me, Myself and I
    
    The attorney bit is super important since even if you pulled the images and apologized … they could STILL sue you for up to 150000$ per picture.
    
    That’s a liability of up to 2.55 MILLION dollars with just the images we found above that is STILL hanging over your head.
- U Really That Dumb?
  
  One thing not mentioned here that is paramount. Apologize to each and every one of your clients AND refund them everything they paid you AND any damages that you may have caused. You committed fraud, yes, fraud, and they not only have a legal right to be repaid but you have a moral and ethical obligation to make things right.
captain-confuzzled

from Oregon Corporation search – looks like he renamed his old M.G. PC Repair LLC to the new Photography name (by the way Michael, if you are seeing this, looks like you have a renewal due soon – just in case you forgot – might as well get something useful out of all this).

http://egov.sos.state.or.us/br/pkg_web_name_srch_inq.show_detl?p_be_rsn=1602162&p_srce=BR_INQ&p_print=FALSE

http://egov.sos.state.or.us/br/pkg_web_name_srch_inq.show_detl?p_be_rsn=1543937&p_srce=BR_INQ&p_print=FALSE
Me, Myself and I

‘Actually, I wouldn;t … my lawyer would.
Marc W.

Not sure what’s for sale here: https://squareup.com/market/mg-photography
- MG Photo
  
  thats just credit card processing
  - U Really That Dumb?
    
    But, as you are so concerned, contains personal to you (public domain) information. So yes, anyone can get to you that way.
    
    I will say this again, the likelihood that it is someone you ‘screwed over’ or an prior thief (someone disgruntle with this site) are the absolute highest. Think Occam’s Razor.
    
    If it’s someone you pissed off, they could very easily have a Google Alert set for your name, saw this pop up, and took the opportunity.
  - Lindsay11
    
    Maybe I’m missing something but it sure looks like a photography site to me?
    *attachment*
    - MG Photo
      
      you are, square is a credit card processing piece of equipment
      - captain-confuzzled
        
        yup, credit card processing – Lindsay, have you seen the little swiper thing that you can attach to an iPhone? Apparently this site goes along with that in order to pick ‘products’ when handling credit cards with the Square thingy.
      - Nick Sirmans
        
        I use it all the time. Amazing little thingy!
      - Lindsay11
        
        Mmmkay. I AM missing something, evidently. He’s selling his photography on this site? It’s just a place that connects to the swiper thingie? … But it’s advertising his photography.
        
        Oh well, it may be over my head. As long as you understand Cap.
        
        ¯_(ツ)_/¯
      - captain-confuzzled
        
        I guess one question is whether he has any stolen photos in that advertising, and I’m sure if they’re there you’ll dig’em out!
      - Lindsay11
        
        I’m sure Marc would have posted it with the link!
        
        It is a place he is using to sell his photography business, evidently, so at any rate it’s relevant here.
      - Marc W.
        
        It’s the same company that Tasha setup for accepting orders: https://squareup.com/market/tasha-wile
        
        Not only are they providing swiping based payment, but also online based stores like this.
      - Lindsay11
        
        Yes, I recognize the link. I guess stealers like that site. :p
      - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
        
        Every coffee shop in my area uses Square now too — very few of them steal photos thankfully
      - Marc W.
        
        But do they have stock photos of coffee that isn’t theirs!!?!???? Can I go back in there and sue them for not getting the same coffee I saw in their advertisement? haha
      - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
        
        Most of the ones I go to have painfully hip instagramish images taken by authentic hipsters in their native habitat — underemployment. But I bet every one of them has a vintage Hasselblad or a Leica (swoon!) somewhere in their $200 Chrome bags.
      - Marc W.
        
        Vomit.
        
        Can you msg me on FB? Want to chat off PS b
      - Me, Myself and I
        
        Not just stealers, it’s a good service from what I can tell.
      - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
        
        My husband and I use Square but we don’t have a web address attached to it and we don’t sell anything through it (packages or prints or whatever). I’m not sure what these packages represent since there are no descriptions but I’m betting it’s used for the sports photos he seems to do so many of. The package prices seem to be about the right amounts.
      - Lindsay11
        
        I do wonder, however, why it says ESPN? I wouldn’t imagine ESPN agreed to anything? Or does that mean something entirely different in photography circles?
      - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
        
        I figured it was like the Diamond Package or whatever you would name your top package, since he shoots a lot of kids’ sports photos. I’m just guessing though, mostly based on prices and hearing my friends with kids gripe about the cost and timing of those team photos.
      - Marc W.
        
        I think it’s suppose to be ESP with the N twist. Wait, what?
      - Me, Myself and I
        
        Yeah but ESPN is a registered trademark so that is a huge no, no.
      - Lindsay11
        
        Thank you! That’s what I was (poorly) trying to say.
      - MG Photo
        
        the picture package naming convention comes directly from my printing company and I pay a licensing fee every time a picture is printed using their name. Lindsay, I’ve fessed up to what I did wrong, now you are trolling in an attempt to find something that isn’t there. I’ve even offered this sites admin full access to my site to do as much investigation as they would like.
      - Lindsay11
        
        Thanks for spelling my name correctly!
        
        Listen, this site has been around for a long time. Stealers LOVE to come here and “apologize” thinking that we will go away. It happens on nearly every post.
        
        So, yes, you apologized and seem to be taking steps to correct your actions. I think that is fantastic and I am cheering you on. I honestly have nothing personal against you Michael.
        
        But the thing is, you DID steal. And how can we know it’s all gone unless we look? We certainly can’t take your word for it, can we?
        
        So instead of getting angry at us, get angry at yourself for what you did. Do all the things URTD has suggested, including paying any photographers who request it. Know that we’re going to be checking to make sure you don’t have any other stolen material up. If you don’t, then you really shouldn’t stress about what we’re finding, right?
      - MG Photo
        
        I am fully licensed to use the ESPN logo, trademark and name so no, I won’t be changing that. I know what I did was wrong (and btw, I had removed ALL of it BEFORE this site posting this article so it was not done to placate the people posting here) and am taking the necessary steps (and keeping the site admin in the loop – as I said, I offered them full access to every nook and cranny of my site).
        
        Keep looking Lindsay, it is your time you are wasting. You can believe me or not, there is NOTHING to be found (unless you want to find out about the time I skipped class in 7th grade…).
      - Lindsay11
        
        Why on earth would you lie about something when I was starting to root for you? You know you had stolen stuff still up after this post went up.
        
        As for the ESPN thing, well, we’re not exactly going to take your word for that as you just proved you lie about things.
      - MG Photo
        
        um, Lindsay, I can prove that everything was taken down prior to this post. Actually it was all down by 11:27am PST on the 11th and I have proof of that. Everything you have shown after this were items screenshotted before then….
      - Helena
        
        I’d like to see your proof Michael, as Lindsay is completely trustworthy, as is URTD. If they say there were things still up, I’d be inclined to believe them.
      - Lindsay11
        
        um Michael, I never ever heard of you until I saw this post and I have this screenshot of stolen material up on your site. I am not a time traveler unfortunately, so please explain how I got it?
        
        This is a really stupid thing to lie about. Everyone was mostly leaving you alone but you come here and expect us to believe you when you lie in our face? Get real.
        *attached*
      - MG Photo
        
        That picture is me taken by a second photographer (notice that the girl in that picture is the same girl which URTD was talking about. Helena – give me your email and I will send you the proof
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        Sorry but there is more then that. READ EVERYTHING BELOW
      - Lindsay11
        
        Oh, I suppose the second photographer did the plagiarism too?
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        Once again, not true. We checked just seconds before and after this went live. It was there. The screen caps below were AFTER this went live.
        Get your head out of your ass and stop lying! We have proof.
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        When exactly do you think this went live?
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        Actually no. You did’t have everything removed before this went up. That is an outright lie. The screen captures below prove as much.
        
        Also, you have not addressed my comments regarding paying back clients and victims.
      - Lindsay11
        
        Pretty weird how he ignores all those, huh? Maybe he isn’t a Simpsons fan.
      - MG Photo
        
        UTRD I am in process of that and keeping the site admin in the loop.
      - MG Photo
        
        and which screen cap are you looking at that proves it wasn’t taken down? This? Those are all my work and can be proven. Do you want to scan through that gallery with the Nikon that you are questioning? I can show two different brands of that girl (Lauren) on that same day, and three different bodies!
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        Sorry but it’s not my job to show you. If you can’t figure it out ask your attorney.
      - MG Photo
        
        you are the one making the accusation that I did not have things taken down. I am asking what you are referring to. How do you expect me to respond unless you show me what you are talking about.
      - Lindsay11
        
        OK respond to me then, I did your job for you! http://stopstealingphotos.com/mg-photography-aka-michael-girad-molalla-oregon/#comment-1587477429
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        READ EVERYTHING BELOW
      - Lindsay11
        
        I wonder, were you going to remove the 1 star reviews you gave your competitors before this post went up too?
      - Lindsay11
        
        Please check your other folder on facebook if you don’t mind?
Justin Case

Michael MG Photo, I would just like to point out to you that the Stop Stealing blog has many readers, and a relatively small number of them are regular commenters, even fewer who are known personally by the owner of this site. The facebook page alone now has 9,882 followers (and growing all the time).

I hope you take that into consideration in how you choose to deal with this. You have a big audience now, and how YOU chose to deal with this will determine your reputation going forward.
AnonyMOOSE

Does anyone else notice on his website his name is “Mykel” SO Michael, who are you really? Was this a sudden name change or just the fact that you didn’t want anyone finding you?
U Really That Dumb?

@michaelgiard:disqus,
Perhaps you want to change your story now.
- Lindsay11
  
  This is such a dumb argument to have. Stupid thing to lie about. Worse than childish.
  - MG Photo
    
    No story to change. This shows that it went live at September 11th, 6:53pm. I removed everything, and have emails back and forth with Smugmug, at 11:57am. These screen captures that you are talking about, were captured by the site admin PRIOR to that – as she (?) herself says: “Smugmug may be cleaning up the website gallery but luckily I have screen captures. The Facebook appears to be clean.”. It wasn’t Smugmug that did the cleanup, it was me.
    - U Really That Dumb?
      
      Now you’re changing your story, again!
      - Lindsay11
        
        Hey, remember an hour ago when I was rooting for you Michael?
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        He doesn’t get that we all were. Right up until the second he came back in here and lied again. On stupid stuff that we already had proved down below.
    - Lindsay11
      
      Isn’t it nice that Michael went in and removed his name but HE STILL HAS PLAGIARIZED WORDS UP AT 8:38 AM PST 9/13/2014.
      
      http://www.inhomephotography.com/Admin/About-Me/n-76tTv/
      
      You are a terrible liar, man. This is stupid. Please stop.
      
      *attached*
    - U Really That Dumb?
      
      Dude, you are digging your own grave!
      Do you have any idea how you ended up getting caught?
      I STRONGLY suggest that you start putting checks in the mail to everyone you stole from and every client that EVER paid you!
      Do you realize that you could end up in jail for fraud? Yup! That IS a real possibility.
      - MG Photo
        
        How am I changing my story. I will give you a timeline. At ~530pm on September 10th I received an email from Smugmug regarding possible copyright infringement. I immediately started scrubbing my site to remove any of this information. At 1157am I sent an email to Smugmug stating this was all removed. at 1206pm this was confirmed by Smugmug. At 653pm this site went live.
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        Except below you said PM on the 11th. Also, the evidence above was captured right before the blog went live. So after the time you say it was already gone.
        
        Also, you are admitting that SM had to contact YOU to get YOU to remove stolen items. HOW do you think they found out?
      - Lindsay11
        
        http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/agree-nod.gif
    - U Really That Dumb?
      
      BTW: The screen caps above were taken just moment before this went live, so again, a lie…
    - U Really That Dumb?
      
      Have you talked to your attorney?
    - U Really That Dumb?
      
      I’m going to ask you one last time, are you 100% certain that EVERYTHING you have up ANYWHERE on the web is 100% yours?
    - peaceetc
      
      I don’t get why you keep harping on that issue, Michael. You stole a bunch of photos, and your major defense here is that you’d already taken them down before this post went up. So? What does that prove? That you knew people were catching on to your lies, so you were trying to get rid of the evidence? I still don’t get why you did it in the first place.
      
      This is not a small issue, Michael. Real people were hurt by your actions. Did you think about potential clients seeing those images you didn’t take and hiring you based on them? Did you think maybe they might be mislead by your deceit when you likely couldn’t deliver the same quality and style as that of the stolen work? Did you think about the photographers from whom you stole, and how you used their property to deceive others? Did you think about any of that, Michael?
      
      Before you get all huffy about the timeline of the removal, why don’t we focus on why you needed to remove anything at all. Because that is what is important, and something I really don’t think you quite understand. If you did, you wouldn’t have done it in the first place.
      - MG Photo
        
        yes I get all that, but rectifying situations takes time. first step is to remove the content, next you start lines of communication. both of these have been done and the rest takes time to be completed. I made a mistake by taking a shortcut, all I can do is work to resolve this. I’ve used this with my child as a teachable moment, bringing them here and showing then the mistake I made and the consequences of these actions. I have owned this not just on this page but in my personal life she will. continuing to harp on this situation accomplishes what? Reinforces what I understand & have admitted to? prompts me to take action? those are both under way and regardless of the impetus of the actions, they are getting done. can I say for 100% certainty that all content I have in the web is mine? no but I can say so with 99% certainty. and before Lindsay comes in with more plagiarism, you are talking about a single line in a three paragraph page. a line which has no copyright protection and I do believe accurately described me. if it would make you feel better I will reword that, but I will be 100% up front that I think that is ridiculous and rewording it will be done just to make you feel better.
        
        I’ll even make it easy on you guys to verify. if someone wants access to my site to review all the images I have in there I will grant then access later tonight. audit me, I’ll be completely open, I’m not trying to hide. you guys decide who you want to send in. I have also made this offer to the site admin with no response back. you have my contact information, I plan on nut coming back much more, I’ll check back a few more times but then I’m done defending and giving an explanation. I’ll state it again, I was wrong and an working to resolve the issue. I’ve taken initial steps and will build on that going forward. I’ll keep the site admin in the loop and if they wish to update you guys that’s their decision. email me if you would like to audit my site.
      - peaceetc
        
        Thank you for your reply. A note about copyright protection — I’m not sure how you determined someone’s text wasn’t under copyright protection, but unless someone specifically places their text into the public domain or that is under a Creative Commons license, you can’t say that for certain. It’s best to assume everything you read and see is under someone’s copyright, unless you find out it isn’t.
        
        Quoting a line from someone else is fine, but that’s when you cite your source.
      - Lindsay11
        
        Even if it were only one line, which it isn’t BTW, it’s still a horrible excuse. “Its online so I can take it cause it applies to me! And it’s just one image!” That wouldn’t fly so I’m not sure why he thinks this is ok.
        
        Maybe it’s time to have another teachable moment Michael.
      - Lindsay11
        
        I’m STILL waiting for you to remove stolen content from your site. Let’s work on that step.
      - Helena
        
        It’s not harping on Michael, it’s asking why you still haven’t removed plagiarized content. As it says below, you cannot guarantee that quote is not protected by copyright and neither should you want anything that you didn’t personally create on a website that promotes you. It’s totally unprofessional.
      - Lindsay11
        
        “Dad, I only stole ONE vanity license plate. It had my name on it!”
      - http://www.studioelouisville.com/ Shane Elliott
        
        You want a “teachable moment”? You stole my work and fraudulently ruined someone else’s wedding using it as your own. Your teachable moment hasn’t happened yet. IT IS COMING FOR YOU.
      - MG Photo
        
        Shane,
        
        I sent you an email message through your contact page on Friday and tried calling you as well just now. I would like the opportunity to talk with you.
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        WHY would anyone pick up the phone and call you? YOU stole from them. YOU lied! YOU committed fraud! YOU need to start writing checks to everyone you ever had as a client and everyone you ever stole from.
        
        Why are you refusing to answer any of the other questions?
        Why are you pretending to be someone else coming here attacking us? YOU ARE THE THIEF!
      - peaceetc
        
        It’s Saturday evening. That’s not exactly the best time to try to get ahold of someone. But I agree with URTD that Shane should get everything in writing.
        
        Michael, I know you’ve asked to have this listing removed. But that’s not up to you. It’s up to those from whom you stole, because they are the ones you’ve wronged. I’m sure someone who robs a store and gets caught would like it if the news wouldn’t report on it because the robber gave the money back, but it doesn’t work that way. There are still repercussions to your actions. I’d say that comment from Shane Elliot is a prime example as to why.
        
        Have you made any efforts at monetary compensation? You used others’ images to make money, so it’s only fair you should give that money you earned to those from whom you stole.
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        It’s Sunday in part of the world but who cares. Especially in Michaels world where dates and times change to fit his story.
        
        He really needs to pay back everyone that he took money from AND compensate them for any losses. Legally that’s what the courts will make him do. So yeh, it’s not just about the money he made and the images he stole, it’s about damages! If this involves a wedding like Shane mentioned, the damages could be in the hundreds of thousands. BTW: Most if not all insurance companies will not help you with that Michael. Heck, they may go after you as well since you committed fraud and put them on the line.
      - peaceetc
        
        I say it’s Saturday, so it’s Saturday.
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        Shane,
        Do EVERYTHING in writing!
        He has already come back here lying and STILL has stolen work on his site.
        So the only teachable moment that may sink in is the hefty bill for commercial use, fees, and costs.
      - Me, Myself and I
        
        Shane, nothing by phone … everything through your lawyer.
      - Just a Girl
        
        which could be why Mykel or however he chooses to spell his name today should be VERY VERY worried. If I was you —- Michael Girad (Mykel) of MG PHOTOGRAPHY AKA MICHAEL GIARD IN MOLALLA, OREGON, I would be VERY VERY worried and start pulling it all down. ALL of it…even the stuff you claim as yours…life as you know it changed a few days ago!
      - http://philbertphotography.com Joseph Philbert
        
        You can now call me Joekoph …sounds cooler
      - doncalifornia
        
        Actually that DOES sound cooler
      - Lindsay11
        
        I usually do encourage people to sue, but in this case I’m going to double encourage you to sue. A few days ago I would be more lenient, but that was before he showed he was an unrepentant liar who is still stealing. Go for it Shane!
      - doncalifornia
        
        “you are talking about a single line in a three paragraph page. a line which has no copyright protection”
        
        I can’t speak to whether or not it was a single line, or a single sentence or paragraph. But I can address whether or not it has copyright protection. Of course it has copyright protection! What kind of comment is that? Every sentence created in order to form a coherent idea, has copyright protection.
      - http://philbertphotography.com Joseph Philbert
        
        “Shit Happens” is copyrighted and it’s just 2 words.
      - Lindsay11
        
        It wasn’t a single line. He has deleted some of it, but not all. That’s the sad part. Michael Girad doesn’t even know what he stole!
    - U Really That Dumb?
      
      @michaelgiard:disqus,
      Regardless (despite the screen caps above), you stole images. You lied to your clients.
      Your only job now is repaying all of your clients, paying the people you stole from, and making a full apology to everyone.
- U Really That Dumb?
  
  Oh SNAP!
  Once again, you are caught lying!
  - doncalifornia
    
    So I’m just a little confused. Michael, why does it matter exactly what time all the photos were taken down??
Photo Stealers

Screen capture of the site as I was getting ready to go live.
- U Really That Dumb?
  
  https://plus.google.com/100699097539862256690/about?pid=5955563923254837074&oid=100699097539862256690
- Lindsay11
  
  But… but… I thought they were all down at 11am Michael. Or was that 11pm?
  
  Either way, it’s a stupid thing to lie about and frankly doesn’t matter in the long run. You only managed to prove you are a liar. Well done!
Photo Stealers

Another screen capture of the site as I was getting ready to go live.
- Photo Stealers
  
  Try 2
  - U Really That Dumb?
    
    http://www.sasonvesimcha.com/
Are we not all grown ups?

I’m a little confused as to how the majority of these comments are rude, ignorant and cruel. I’ve been following this site for quite some time and I thought it was meant to be helpful… all I see is people being mean and not giving others a chance to correct their mistakes. A lot of the commenters on this site have a lot of useful information that could be used to help. IMO
- U Really That Dumb?
  
  I am curious. Did you read everything below and see that he was given a chance but then decided to come back here and lie?
  Also, what connection do you have to Michael?
- peaceetc
  
  Respectfully, you are in the same town as Michael Giard, according to your IP address. I am willing to bet you have a connection to him, and you’re not an unbiased party. That’s fine, but at least be upfront about it. Lying by omission is still lying.
  
  One of the very first things that gets posted on each listing is a list of things the stealer can do to deal with this situation. We might be a bit cynical around here, but that’s because we’ve seen so many lies, so many fake apologies, that we’d be foolish to be anything but suspicious.
  
  If Michael is sincere, then it’s up to him to prove it. He already has strikes against him for stealing in the first place. If he is indeed telling the truth, then time will tell.
  - U Really That Dumb?
    
    Wait, are you saying this might be @michaelgiard:disqus? As in a Sock? NO! I can’t believe it! There has never been any photo thief that stupid, has there?!?!
    - Lindsay11
      
      And I hadn’t looked until I saw this person who is definitely not Michael Girad posted today, but Michael still has stolen stuff up. Amazing.
      
      “Dad, I stole something and the people who want me to stop are being mean to me!” Nice teachable moment there.
      - U Really That Dumb?
        
        It’s just unbelievable to me that Michael Girad (Mykel) of MG PHOTOGRAPHY AKA MICHAEL GIARD IN MOLALLA, OREGON, was caught stealing then comes here and starts lying about everything being down.
        
        http://www.inhomephotography.com/
        
        756 June Drive
        Molalla, OR 97038
        503.481.0921
        themykel@gmail.com
      - Just a Girl
        
        Wow! Is this a quick rebrand?
      - http://philbertphotography.com Joseph Philbert
        
        So he does photography in homes only?
- Me, Myself and I
  
  Why do people keep trying to make the PERPETRATOR the victim?
  “Poor thief, why is the world picking on him by exposing his lies and theft?!?”
- http://philbertphotography.com Joseph Philbert
  
  Sock Puppet strikes again…
Lindsay11

@michaelgiard:disqus Michael, I see you took down some of the plagiarism on your about page. Now you just need to get the rest of the stolen words off there. You can do it!

Because I am a nice person I will even help you out. “Ethnical”* is not a word and you’ve misspelled “traveled”. You are welcome.

*Maybe say “ethnic and cultural”? Free tip!
peaceetc

Michael Giard, can we review for a second?

As you have noticed, Shane Elliot is not happy with you. You stole his work, used it to promote yourself and your business, and I’m guessing you profited from that monetarily, just like you did from the rest of the photographers from whom you stole.

You also defrauded your clients by presenting to them a false image. You used photographs you did not take to obtain clients who hired you based on inaccurate information. I know I’d be pretty pissed if the photographer who shot my wedding wasn’t actually capable of doing what he or she presented to me online or elsewhere. That’s pretty damned big deal, Michael. I would even say you owe those clients a refund.

It comes down to this — your victims. What do they want from you? And believe me, Michael, they have every legal right to expect things from you. The photographers can sue you for copyright infringement, and they would win. We’re talking up to six digits for each image.

And your clients. Man, i feel sorry for them. Can you honestly tell me none of them have ever complained about what they received from you, and how it was different than what you advertised?

Think of it like this — if I put myself out there as a portrait photographer by using Annie Leibovitz’ work, and people hired me based on her images. If I showed up, took some photos, and gave them to the client, do you really think they would look the same? No, they wouldn’t. Each photographer is different, and each produces different work.

So how about you focus on that, Michael. I know how worried you are about your reputation, but frankly, that shouldn’t be your priority here. If you want a real teachable moment here, then you have to go all the way. That means putting others first.
lynn

Guys, was doing a google and found this:

http://www.scamorg.com/stop-stealing-photos-70

obviously several people are not happy. – I put in a good word.
- http://philbertphotography.com Joseph Philbert
  
  @linsday we are famous .. They will soon have my reply
  Thanks Lynn ..
  - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
    
    Why does everyone think you own this site? Also, I think it’s possible the same person wrote all of those.
    - Me, Myself and I
      
      It certainly sounds like the same person.
      Quoting the Canadian Anti-Bullying Law.
      - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
        
        Is anyone here Canadian? I thought Lindsay was a Brit.
      - Justin Case
        
        Several of us are Canadian, wonder if they can figure out who?
        (oh, no, I hear the padded hooves of Mounties coming to deliver a summons!)
      - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
        
        I figured there were at least a few Canadians but since we are more importantly cult members, I’d never thought about it before.
      - Helena
        
        I’m a Brit.
      - Lindsay11
        
        Jolly good, wut wut! Bob’s yer uncle! (check your fb :))
        
        Sorry Helena! <3
      - Marc W.
        
        Right o
      - http://citrineandblue.com ALP
        
        Actually Bob is my husband :). My uncle was Melvin.
  - doncalifornia
    
    aw man, what was the comment about?
    - Celine (peaceetc)
      
      Sorry about the deletion. It was a link to a site we didn’t want to give publicity. Just more nonsense.
      - doncalifornia
        
        OK I understand
- Melinda Potter
  
  The irony that they reported this blog as a scam… Do they not see it?
- Justin Case
  
  Aww, what a shame. I guess someone misses us.

This wall of shame is dedicated to photographers that feel that it's okay to steal others' work and post it as their own. Oh I'm sorry, it's okay to let their "web designer" do it.