Earlier this year, I posted in Lactnet for some advice on dealing with a creepy photographer who came to see me at work and gave me the willies after being a vendor at our World Breastfeeding Week celebration. This week, our regional online support group has blown up with reports of this man's predatory behavior and unwanted advances, touched off by one mom's report of explicit online sexual solicitations and harassment, which she has reported to police. Turns out this has happened to several mothers in the area (Central Illinois), and there may now be an investigation under way. He and his wife work as a team in photography of all types, but seem to be targeting women (and our nursing and pregnant moms in particular), posing as breastfeeding and better birth advocates. He then initiates contact using his wife's Facebook account, and both overtly and subtly tries for an opening, where he begins aggressively trying to encourage birth, breastfeeding, 'boudoir' and nude photo sessions, offering to take moms shopping for lingerie and then continuing to pursue them, sometimes in person, always unwelcome. From what I understand, he may have been operating in the Branson, MO area prior to 2012 under another name. I'm sending this for two reasons: 1. To warn all lactation professionals to watch out for this guy. I can't name names on here, but his business is operated as a partnership with his wife. We don't know if she's in on the exploitation end or not, but we know that posing as her has been one of his ways to try and gain the trust of these women. He seems to jump ship when there's trouble, as his FB and business pages have already come down from the 'net in just a couple days of this community's discovery. If he leaves and goes elsewhere, I want all LACTNETTERs to be on the lookout. 2. As there may be a police investigation pending, I need anyone who feels that any of this sounds familiar, please send me a private email reply. I will send you information on the officers to contact who are involved in the investigation. THanks for your attention... Brandy J. Hansen, IBCLC The Mobile LC [log in to unmask] *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome