This woman’s story of why her face is on adverts all over the world is amazing (and a cautionary tale for us all)
17.
He explained he was sorry I felt hard done by but it was all legal & explained to us beforehand (I really don’t rem anyone telling me my pic would become a stockphoto & that it could be distorted) pic.twitter.com/lQapT2igXU
— Shubnum Khan (@ShubnumKhan) July 28, 2018
18.
but he agreed to take it down from his site since I complained as an author I could be recognised (I don’t think this was a legit excuse but it worked in making him take it down). He also said I could still keep popping up where my image was already purchased. pic.twitter.com/8zUMz94FxZ
— Shubnum Khan (@ShubnumKhan) July 28, 2018
19.
The thing is I’ve laughed over the years about this and it’s a great party story and I do find some of the images hilarious and I still laugh when people find me randomly advertising for teeth implants while browsing a paper in New York,
— Shubnum Khan (@ShubnumKhan) July 28, 2018
20.
but now that I’m older and more assertive & aware of power plays and manipulation I can easily see how we were all used – a whole gallery of free photographs for this photographer to sell and we haven’t made a cent for all the things WE’VE advertised.
— Shubnum Khan (@ShubnumKhan) July 28, 2018
21.
Also this could have gone badly – my photo could have come up in a wrong place (I mean, the right to ‘distort photo and character!’) is scary af and so if anything, I hope my story is also a cautionary tale to be careful what you sign
— Shubnum Khan (@ShubnumKhan) July 28, 2018
22.
because while it’s occasionally funny to randomly come across your face on a board at the McDonalds in China, you also don’t want to be Dina M, complaining about post pregnancy melasma to the internet or calling out for prince charming on a white horse (ok, that bit is okay). pic.twitter.com/ykCvcZXNBE
— Shubnum Khan (@ShubnumKhan) July 28, 2018
23.
It’s also pretty telling of how easily you can be exploited in this new age & how startlingly deceptive everything is. Those testimonials are fake, those adverts are fake. Your holiday tour guide, your tutor or your future bride could just be some random uni student living her pic.twitter.com/0OgvX1hQ21
— Shubnum Khan (@ShubnumKhan) July 28, 2018
24.
life in a small town in S Africa not knowing about how her image is being used. So, if anything use my story as a cautionary tale. Don’t sign up for free photoshoots, read what you sign and also don’t believe most of the things you read on the internet.
— Shubnum Khan (@ShubnumKhan) July 28, 2018
25.
Be clever. Be aware. Don’t get caught up. I’m sure I could have made some money out of this, but instead I’m out there promoting acne cream while someone else gets the profits.
And now you know.
— Shubnum Khan (@ShubnumKhan) July 28, 2018
26.
There are more pics – some I forgot to save, some I’ve heard of and of course, those that I don’t even know about. Their appearances have certainly been lessening after the photographer told me he took them down so that’s been welcome.
— Shubnum Khan (@ShubnumKhan) July 28, 2018
27.
So, while you’re here, if you want to read about some of the other strange things that have happened to me, have a look at this story: https://t.co/jMskWEzhdm
— Shubnum Khan (@ShubnumKhan) July 28, 2018
And this is what people made of it.
You could write a novel about this. Your face is the protagonist, traveling around the world and mysteriously replacing other faces. Gazing at your picture long enough somehow cures fear, anxiety and despair. The movie version would begin in JoBurg, and feature Scarlet Johansson.
— Majid Iqbal (@mxiqbal) July 28, 2018
At first I wanted to laugh and congratulate you on having accomplished so much in your young life😬…but then I thought of the implications, as you say, and I am shaken.
— AROUND THE FIRE 7-11.08.18 (@Siphokazi_J) July 28, 2018
Hi you’re in my psychology textbook at school. Your smile is the only thing getting me through chapter 8 at the moment. Have a nice day 👍🏻
— bronte (@lukehemmotops) July 28, 2018
Your attitude about the situation tells volumes about you. I’m sad to hear you’re not receiving all the compensation you deserve. Warmest wishes!
— Steve Force (@steve_force) July 28, 2018
I knew I recognized you
— Exavier Pope (@exavierpope) July 28, 2018
To conclude …
It’s the funniest but also scariest thing and I don’t know how to explain it more than that.
— Shubnum Khan (@ShubnumKhan) July 28, 2018
