Woman freaks out after realising someone is stalking her with Instagram

Jack Morris (@doyoutravel) and Lauren Bullen (@gypsea_lust), both travel photographers and minor Instagram stars, seem to have a remarkably enviable life.

They travel all over the world together, taking breathtakingly beautiful pictures of paradise locations.

In fact, their life seemed so enviable that someone has actually tried to copy it.

Picture: Screenshot / Lauren Bullen (@gypsea_lust)

This Instagram user, 'The Dame Traveller' (@diana_alexa), posts pictures of herself obsessively recreating every Jack and Lauren's photos.

The locations, the framing, the captions, the outfits, everything down to the most minute detail...

People are spooked by the amount of time, money, research and dedication it would require to recreate the pictures in this way.

'Diana's' account is now private, but luckily Lauren took the precaution of saving multiple screenshots and posting pictures comparing the two profiles.

Picture: Screenshot / Lauren Bullen (@gypsea_lust)

A few days ago, Lauren posted a long explanation of her reaction on her blog, titled "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".

She begins: "Having a large instagram following does come with some interesting experiences, but this has been by far the most odd one yet."

When a girl travels across the world recreating your exact imagery over and over again you begin to worry.. Part of why I do what I do is to inspire and motivate people through our art- our imagery.

But yesterday after The Dame Traveller shared @diana_alexa image an influx of direct messages came in sharing her account to me.. an account with direct copies on ALL elements of our images- at least 20 of mine & Jacks imagery.. which I have shared below to show the comparisons.

Picture: Screenshot / Lauren Bullen (@gypsea_lust)

I understand seeking inspiration from what I do- and I love that, but this truly shocked me.. at first I thought it was all photoshopped & had to take screen shots to compare the two.. They honestly did an incredible job copying our imagery, controversially insane mimics, so I congratulate them for this! 

But stealing someone’s art- that’s never okay

Picture: Screenshot / Lauren Bullen (@gypsea_lust)

We work extremely hard to create the work we do & know so many of our followers appreciate this and respect what we do, but this was just next level.

Picture: Screenshot / Lauren Bullen (@gypsea_lust)

In her post, Lauren explains that when she messaged the girl about discovering her page, The Dame Traveller tried to justify her actions by saying that everybody copies the couple, and that she should make her pictures private if she would rather that didn't happen.

But, as Lauren said: "I think she missed the point that no one has copied down to this extreme before and it’s completely different, copying down to the hand positioning, what’s in your hand - everything.. is just soooo next level."

She also said why do you care I only have 1,000 followers I should be going after the accounts with 500,000 following, but that’s not at all the point, it’s not about how many followers anyone has - you are copying and stealing someone’s art to a ridiculously creepy level.

Picture: Screenshot / Lauren Bullen (@gypsea_lust)

Some may question what would possess anyone to do painstakingly copy someone's holiday photos, or what exactly is in it for 'The Dame Traveller'.

Others might say that leading such a public and enviable life on social media could invite obsessive, stalker levels of fandom.

Perhaps if she had contacted me to tell me that maybe she admires our work and that she was going to be going on a trip to recreate our work as a form of art, and acknowledged this was what she was trying to achieve I would have thought what an interesting approach.

I’m still not entirely sure what she was wanting to achieve from all this.. if it was attention than that’s what she’s received. 

Picture: Screenshot / Lauren Bullen (@gypsea_lust)

I’ve shared my experiences with all my following because I choose too, and so did Diana, so if she doesn’t want any of this back burn or attention she should have never publicly shared herself on the internet.

And Diana- if that’s even your name, what you’ve done is an art in itself- you’ve caused reaction & I think that’s the point in creating art isn’t it..? 

So whatever comes your way- take it with a pinch of salt & make sure you remember to have a laugh. 

Picture: Screenshot / Lauren Bullen (@gypsea_lust)

Everyone’s opinion is valuable- and you can take this however you want to- have a good laugh- like I did.. or have a whinge about it.. I don’t mind either way.. just keep it real & be you! ✌🏼️

Picture: Screenshot / Lauren Bullen (@gypsea_lust)

If you want to be original, be ready to be copied.

- Coco Chanel

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