Do Female Paparazzi Exist? (2024)

Do Female Paparazzi Exist? (1)

If you enjoy tuning in to the bottomless pit of human despair that is the TMZ afternoon television show, have seen the movie "Nightcrawler," or just happen to live in one of the select few places where the rich and famous do their thing, you might be forgiven for assuming that the business of chasing and photographing celebrities without their consent is a dudes-only affair. Every time we see a Tom Cruise, Selena Gomez or William H. Macy (sure, why not?) out in public, they seem to be flanked by a flock of camera-toting bros.

The truth is that the paparazzi field is definitely male heavy, but there are at least a handful of ladies who have also turned snapping shots of Hollywood stars into a professional obsession. And their jobs ain't easy.

Jennifer Buhl worked as a "pap" in Southern California for three years before chronicling her experiences in the book "Shooting Stars." She has some advice for aspiring femme photogs thinking about getting in on the action. In addition to understanding how to frame up a shot and use a camera, Buhl says you also need a little street savvy and the ability to anticipate your subject's next move so you can beat the competition there.

She also says female paparazzi can expect to get the second class treatment from both their colleagues and the people they're photographing. Buhl told Cosmopolitan that she's been pushed, spit on and driven off of roads by fellow photographers, most of whom never said a thing to her.

That's just a little different experience than one unnamed female pap had when she ran into Kylie Jenner in 2015. The reality TV star apparently called the woman a nasty name and told her that ladies shouldn't sling photos in the Hollywood gutter.

That said, with the aggressive and misogynistic atmosphere cultivated by the camera scrum following many celebrities, it's a tough industry for a woman to break into. After all, Buhl has said she only knows a handful of female paparazzi — and yes, if we were going 100 percent Italian, that should probably bepaparazze— currently working in the U.S. industry.

Do Female Paparazzi Exist? (2)

Now That's Interesting

The term "paparazzi" comes from an Italian photographer named Paparazzo in the classic film "La Dolce Vita." Director Federico Fellini said he wanted the character's name to sound like the noise a bug makes when it's flying around.

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Do Female Paparazzi Exist? (2024)

FAQs

Do Female Paparazzi Exist? ›

Paparazzi (US: /ˌpɑːpəˈrɑːtsi/, UK: /ˌpæpəˈrætsi/; Italian: [papaˈrattsi]; sg. : masculine paparazzo or feminine paparazza) are independent photographers who take pictures of celebrities, prominent public figures, and other high-profile people; namely professional athletes and entertainers who typically go about their ...

Are there female paparazzi? ›

Female paparazzi aren't common, but they do exist.

Is being a paparazzi illegal? ›

Laws regarding public photography have always been a gray area. In the United States, photographs that are taken for editorial use in a public place generally enjoy Constitutional protection under the right of free speech. There are exceptions, however.

What is the difference between paparazzi and paparazzo? ›

The majority of Italian nouns end in a vowel. Nouns ending in -o are masculine, nouns ending in -a are feminine, and nouns ending in -i are plural; thus a paparazzo is a male photographer, a paparazza is a female photographer, and paparazzi is a group of photographers.

How much are paparazzi paid? ›

As of Apr 29, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Paparazzi in the United States is $27.25 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing hourly wages as high as $36.06 and as low as $18.99, the majority of Paparazzi wages currently range between $22.60 (25th percentile) to $36.06 (75th percentile) across the United States.

What is a female paparazzi? ›

Paparazzi (US: /ˌpɑːpəˈrɑːtsi/, UK: /ˌpæpəˈrætsi/; Italian: [papaˈrattsi]; sg. : masculine paparazzo or feminine paparazza) are independent photographers who take pictures of celebrities, prominent public figures, and other high-profile people; namely professional athletes and entertainers who typically go about their ...

Can paparazzi go to jail? ›

Encroachment. Illegal intrusion into private property, which is a restricted area or no trespassing area. For such an offense, you may be threatened with 6 months in jail and a fine of 1,000 is also imposed.

Can I sue paparazzi? ›

If a paparazzo's photo is considered an original work of expression, it is protected under the Copyright Act, and a right of publicity claim against it will likely fail. [19]Id.

How bad are paparazzi? ›

Aside from being completely unnecessary, the concept of paparazzi is highly invasive of personal privacy and often taken too far. Everyone has a right to privacy and respect, even famous people, and paparazzi have gone too far by taking that away for the sake of their jobs and getting a paycheck.

Can paparazzi go to your house? ›

If a paparazzo wants to invade someone's home or business to take pictures, that can be prevented, or at least discouraged, by the threat of prosecution for trespass. More directly, a security guard can expel a trespasser.

Who is the most famous paparazzi? ›

Ron Galella is considered the "Godfather of the Paparazzi," Galella has been photographing celebrities since the 1960s and is known for his persistent and sometimes invasive tactics.

Can paparazzi take pictures of minors? ›

In most parts of the United States, it's perfectly legal to photograph anyone, including children, in public spaces. The one major exception is California, where a law that made it a misdemeanor to photograph the children of celebrities was passed in 2013.

Do the Kardashians call the paparazzi on themselves? ›

The notion that the Kardashians call the paparazzi on themselves is a misconception. While their strategic use of social media and PR efforts contribute to media coverage, it is essential to recognize that the paparazzi operate independently, seeking out opportunities to capture exclusive photographs.

Are all paparazzi photos staged? ›

She explains, "A lot of it is paid and staged. And I feel like you can really tell it's one of those staged photos when it's well-curated — there's not people in the background, the girls have their makeup and hair done, they have the outfit on. I feel like that's a really good telltale sign of [a setup]."

Can anyone become a paparazzi? ›

You can get started without any official degree to your name, as long as you have the right camera for the job you can get out there and give it a go. However, it might be beneficial to you to earn some sort of media or press qualification.

Do celebrities tell paparazzi where they are? ›

Whether A-lister or otherwise, the reason that celebrities notify paparazzi of their whereabouts is the same. “It's an exposure game,” says Chad Teixeira, the chairman of the celebrity PR firm Daddy the Agency. “It's about keeping relevant.” Teixeira often contacts paparazzi on behalf of his clients.

Can anyone be a paparazzi? ›

Becoming a successful paparazzo is no easy feat. Yes, anyone with a camera on-hand can go out and give it a shot at the next movie premiere, but to make a real living takes another level of skill (including connections and knowledge).

Do celebrities call paps? ›

However, they never call or pay us. Whenever there is a film promotion, we are contacted by their PRs or given tip-offs that the celebrities will be at a certain place.” Well, clearly, celebrities aren't the ones calling the paparazzi or paying them for clicking those pictures and videos.

Does Kim K call the paparazzi? ›

The notion that the Kardashians call the paparazzi on themselves is a misconception. While their strategic use of social media and PR efforts contribute to media coverage, it is essential to recognize that the paparazzi operate independently, seeking out opportunities to capture exclusive photographs.

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