Alexandria, VA – The Ballad of “Nan Goldin”
The majority of people I interact with on this blog are quite genuine and supportive. Sometimes, though, motives can be deceiving and sometimes, things aren’t always as they seem. A few weeks ago, someone named Nan Goldin contacted me.
Something about the name made me hesitate for a moment. So, I searched “Nan Goldin” and realized she is a famous American photographer! Her photographs are artistic in nature and depict the realities of life in the LGBT community.
My mind was spinning! Why would a famous American photographer be interested in my shoe blog? Furthermore, Ms. Goldin’s trademark photographs convey an ambience foreign to my images. Where was the fashion connection? That’s when I discovered a campaign Ms. Goldin shot for designer, Jimmy Choo. Could this really be Nan Goldin? I was intrigued at the possibilities and began a correspondence with her despite my reservations.
The thought of being mentored by a renowned photographer was almost enough for me to throw caution to the wind. She wasn’t asking for any personal information. Yet, Ms. Goldin wanted me to send her ALL my pictures and together, “as a team,” we would decide what would go on my blog.
My skepticism continued. I searched to see if her claim of working with new fashion bloggers could be verified. That’s when I came across this post by a blogger named Eccentric Owl. Apparently, Nan Goldin contacted her as well. Similar emails were exchanged, but Eccentric Owl came to the conclusion that this person was most likely an imposter Nan Goldin. I had to agree.
I responded to Ms. “Goldin” letting her know that before we could go any further, I would have to meet her. As suspected, she could not meet me. Instead, she promised me the world if I would simply trust her. In that moment I thought of the Gospel of Matthew (4:8-9):
“Then the devil took Him up to a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to Him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.”
No temptation is worth making a deal with the devil, in my opinion. I wished Ms. “Goldin” well letting her know that I’ve always had the attitude of “trust, but verify,” and this situation was no exception. She never responded to my relief. In the end, someone on Nan Goldin’s team confirmed my “Nan Goldin” was a fraud.
It was a humbling experience to say the least. For a moment I let myself believe the myth that was Nan Goldin, but like that mirage in the distance, the fantasy vanished the closer I got to the truth. I hope my story helps other bloggers who may have been contacted by “Nan Goldin.”
Have a wonderful week. 🙂
Lizzy’s Latest for this week is the Steve Madden Flapper Fringe booties. I will give my review of these boots on Wednesday. For now, enjoy the pictures! 🙂
January 25, 2016 @ 5:26 pm
Brava Elizabeth, for seeing the pretender’s empty promises for what they were. Well done for recognizing the scriptural parallel and employing its lesson. You’re proof of the old adage: Forewarned is forearmed.
(Writer’s note: the emailer purporting to be a renown photographer wasn’t a run-of-the-mill creep. From the extensive emails it was clear the person writing them had more than just a layman’s knowledge of photography, a keen eye for detail, and perhaps inside knowledge of the person he was pretending to be.)
January 25, 2016 @ 10:32 pm
Thank you, Dad! It’s amazing to me how something as innocuous as shoe blogging can attract people with nefarious motives. You read all the emails so you know how genuine and convincing this person appeared. What I didn’t add to my post is that “Nan Goldin” sent me another email after I declined her offer to mentor me, but “she” used a different email address this time. Nan Goldin’s team confirmed that address is also a fake. Go figure!