A screen grab from Jessica Kobeissi's video.Jessica Kobeissi is one of the largest Youtube photography channels out there. With currently 1.4 million subscribers, she is in the top 5. If we remove channels run by non-photographers like Chelsea Northrup or Fro Knows Photo, she is de facto the largest. She recently made a long video (54 min) about the Dark Side of Modeling what seems to be in response to Jason Lanier without ever mentioning his name. She used examples from Lanier's own videos to highlight inappropriate and unprofessional behavior. A lot of these examples are still available on his channel today.
Jessica Kobeissi about the Dark Side of Modeling
The way Jessica Kobeissi approached her video was very smart. It is obvious that she's at least partly talking about Lanier based on the examples she uses, but she never mentions his name. The first part talks about photographers who pry on vulnerable people and try to take advantage of them. She explains their methods, some of which match to what was alleged against Lanier by several models. She goes on to address harassment during photo shoots, and says it's very common, especially verbal harassment ("Calling a girl sweetie or honey"). She then has a model talking about how a creepy photographer tried to undress her, and a photographer friend comments on some of the things Lanier usually does and labels them unprofessional. In the second part of the video she shares her own views on what is the right way to conduct a photo shoot, and again highlights some issues by having models share their bad experiences with photographers (she distorts the models' voices). Most of these examples sound very similar to what some models alleged about Lanier.
Related:
- The downfall of Jason Lanier: Removed as Sony Artisan of Imagery
- The legal side of the Jason Lanier vs. models allegations
After living in the South for 10 years, being called "sweetie" or "honey" no longer seems offensive to me. I get called both all the time, and I'm a 45 year old man. I regularly hear it from everyone directed at anyone. I'm still sensitive enough to it not to use terms like that with female students, so it obviously has its own proper time and place. But still, that, to me, is the LEAST of this guy's problems.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's definitely one not the top issue, but I had to mention it, since Jessica talked about it in her video.
DeleteSure, of course. Totally understand. And in many contexts, it SHOULD be mentioned.
DeleteSame as you, but I also realize all of us don't have that experience. I remember the first time watching a JL video and hearing him say it, the first thing that came in my mind is that's gonna eventually get him in trouble because everybody doesn't get it.
DeleteDon't take this as a hate comment, I like that you're doing these summaries and spread the word, but I think you and some other critics undermine your credibility by obsessing so much over just Jason Lanier when it comes to this problem. Yes, he is a prime example, but it should be clear that e.g. Jessica's video is NOT only about him, the most famous example she brings up is about a totally different photographer, much higher up than Jason but not on youtube. Jason is not an exception, there are many more like him and it has been a large problem in the industry for years, Jason has just been one of the most stupid examples. By singling him out you make it appear as if everything would be fine if just he would disappear, it's a personal hate boner many people have. I see behaviour like his almost every day from other men and photographers.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, you can think of the Northrups and Fro what you want, I don't like their photography either, I really don't like Fro's attitude, but calling them "Non-Photographers" is just factually plain wrong and again undermines your credibility. They are Pro Photographers and make a living with it, regardless of their channels being full with gear reviews etc., Fro even shows work from his commercial jobs on a regular basis. Do I like them? Doesn't matter. Please, if you really want the daily abuse of models to stop, acknowledge that this is not all about Jason Lanier, even if he might be directly responsible for this current drama on youtube due to his utter stupidity. In the photography world outside of youtube there have been countless examples of this kind of misbehaviour, often much worse with actual rape.
Ditto, photographers inspire. Northrups are not photographers, they are youtubers that talk about photography and are sponsored by several companies, Nikon and Sony among them, same for Fro.
ReplyDeleteI think is time to stop the Jason Lanier tango, the message from the models is clear and it is right, it is a matter of respect, ethics with models co workers etc, his behavior is unacceptable and has to be the model not to follow, the guy is vulgar and disgusting. Same with Ken Wheeler. I remember when he was referring to his car as a pussy magnet, very metoo that's the type of language that any serious about their channel has to avoid, otherwise be out of business. Good blog Taipei.
Jessica, may also be chiming in the scandal with Marcus Hyde who's conversation with a model on instagram went viral. He has worked with Kim Kardashian and other big name stars. He was brought to my attention by a fellow photographer I work with. I mention Marcus because as Jason has been in negative light and this guy looks to be even worst. Thanks for these posts lots to be mindful of. Excellent work
ReplyDeleteI've noticed a ton of videos and channels popping up overnight riding on the "the TRUTH about Jason LANIER" gravy train.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great readd
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