In the start of their careers, many actors want the paparazzi to capture them, to add to their fame and marketability. Their agents and even friends “leak” their locations to tabloids and paparazzi just to increase their exposure. (Ask anyone who dated a Kardashian).
When (or “if”) they become famous, and seek any amount of privacy, it is hard to stop the location leaks, drone pictures, sidewalk ambushes, etc. from the paparazzi. Smart celebrities almost always give the paparazzi an opportunity to take some shots before their meeting or event, giving them what they want, in exchange for leaving them be (for a little while). Others can be downright mean to the photographers, especially if they are overly intrusive.
There are many incidents where paparazzi have been overly zealous about taking pictures, and have been assaulted by actors. (take a look at When Celebrities Attack: Top 10 Paparazzi Confrontations, on zimbio). Many times the paparazzi “egg on” the celebrities, to get more salable pictures – even if they risk arrest or jail time. In many cases, the celebrity can be arrested for assault, or the paparazzi can get a restraining order.There is a fine line between the tabloids need for fresh pics of famous people and the safety of actors and their families; many actors and actresses work hard to keep their locations and family (children, siblings, parents) away from the spotlight. They don’t want their children to grow up hiding from photographers or being exploited in the tabloids. It is also a safety issue, and bodyguards frequently intervene when paparazzi take unwanted pictures.Today we are bombarded with cell phone cameras, long zoom cameras, drone cameras, easily hidden body and handbag cams – not to mention businesses that have surveillance cameras for their establishments. Even the average person is photographed often and discreetly. When you add the paparazzi into that mix, they can behave like a pack of rabid dogs or polite professionals as part of the publicity game.
Today almost anyone can be a paparazzi, just make sure you have a cell phone with a good camera. And I hope no celebrity will take offense at your taking their picture!
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Building Your Paparazzi Business, from Amazon Books