Princess Diana’s 1997 fatal car crash during a high-speed paparazzi chase instigated a string of photography-related legislation. Consequently, any photographer who pursues Catherine, duch*ess of Cambridge (formerly known as Kate Middleton), in the same manner risks litigation in the event of an accident [source: Harman]. In fact, by the time she wed Prince William, the duch*ess of Cambridge had already won settlements in court for paparazzi privacy breaches [source: Harman].
In California, paparazzi are legally prohibited from trespassing on private property, using telephoto lenses to survey private property or pursuing targets in cars [source: LaPorte]. However, the frequency of paparazzi-celebrity run-ins since January 2010, when the law was last amended, have indicated that the legislation’s bark might tougher than its bite.
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. Here are just a few of the gray areas:
- Police crime scenes, disasters, fires or riots are considered secured emergency areas. Photography isn’t legal in these situations without permission.
- Even editorial photographs can come under scrutiny when a caption is added. If photo captions imply something false or libelous about the person in the photo, then they aren't legally protected free speech.
- Photos of a person in a public place can’t be used to promote any goods or services without permission.
The controversy surrounding anti-paparazzi legislation comes down to the question of where to draw the line between legitimate news gathering and invasions of privacy. If laws are left as they are, a celebrity's privacy -- and, in some cases, his or her life -- may continue to be endangered by the ruthlessness of some photographers [source: LaPorte]. On the other hand, if the laws become too restrictive, then the freedom of the press could be jeopardized, and for that reason, a judicial tension remains between the two.
With the cultural appetite for celebrity voyeurism, it’s questionable whether the public is even concerned about anti-paparazzi legislation. As long as images of the rich and famous committing foibles both minor and monstrous continue to arrest our attention -- and sway our online traffic and magazine purchases -- the paparazzi mobs will continue to swarm and snap. After all, they’re only giving us what we want: proof that celebrities are imperfect, just like us.
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Sources
- Dowell, Ben and Robinson, James. “Amy Winehouse wins court ban on paparazzi at her home.” The Guardian. May 1, 2009. (Oct. 28, 2011) http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/may/01/amy-winehouse-big-pictures-paparazzi-privacy
- Harman, Danna. “How Princess Diana changed the way paparazzi pursue Kate Middleton.” The Christian Science Monitor. April 29, 2011. (Oct. 28, 2011) http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2011/0429/How-Princess-Diana-changed-the-way-paparazzi-pursue-Kate-Middleton
- Hirsch, Afua. “Sienna Miller sues paparazzi for harassment.” The Guardian. Oct. 30, 2008. (Oct. 28, 2011) http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/oct/31/sienna-miller-big-pictures-darryn-lyons
- Independent. “Sienna Miller: Hacking’s heroine.” Sept. 23, 2011. (Oct. 28, 2011) http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/sienna-miller-hackings-heroine-2359415.html
- LaPorte, Nicole. “The Do-Nothing Paparazzi Law.” The Daily Beast. Feb. 25, 2010. (Oct. 28, 2011) http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/02/25/the-do-nothing-paparazzi-law.html
- Loomis, Nicole Zsuzsanna. “Paparazzi.” University of Southern California. May 2009. (Oct. 28, 2011) http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/assetserver/controller/item/etd-Loomis-2851.pdf
- Nordhaus, Jamie E. “Celebrities’ Rights to Privacy: How Far Should the Paparazzi Be Allowed to Go?” The Review of Litigation. Vol. 18. Issue 2. (Oct. 28, 2011) http://www.asc.upenn.edu/usr/ogandy/c734%20resources/celebrities%20rights%20-%20nordhaus.pdf
- NPR. “Brad Pitt: ‘Moneyball, Life and ‘The Stalkerazzi’.” Sept. 22, 2011. (Oct. 28, 2011) http://www.npr.org/2011/09/22/140629778/brad-pitt-moneyball-life-and-the-stalkerazzi
- Rose, Lacey. “The Most Expensive Celebrity Photos.” Forbes. July 18, 2007. (Oct. 28, 2011) http://www.forbes.com/2007/07/17/celebrities-photojournalism-magazines-biz-media-cx_lr_0718celebphotos.html
- Samuels, David. “Shooting Britney.” The Atlantic. April 2008. (Oct. 28, 2011) http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/print/2008/04/shooting-britney/6735/
- Telegraph. “Ron Galella and Jackie Onassis in pictures.” Nov. 25, 2010. (Oct. 28, 2011) http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/galleries/TMG8129874/Ron-Galella-and-Jackie-Onassis-in-pictures.html
- TIME. “The Press: Paparazzi on the Prowl.” April 14, 1961. (Oct. 28, 2011) http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,872287,00.html
- Wood, Gaby. “Camera, movie star, Vespa…it all began on the Via Veneto.” The Guardian. Sept. 23, 2006. (Oct. 28, 2011) http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/sep/24/pressandpublishing1
- Yancy, Kitty Bean. “Tour L.A. with a real-life paparazzo.” USA Today. Dec. 23, 2010. (Oct. 28, 2011) http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2010/12/las-new-paparazzi-tour/135493/1
FAQs
What is a paparazzo photographer? Typically, a paparazzo photographer is a freelance photographer who keeps abreast of celebrities and other popular figures (such as sports stars, politicians and entertainers) movements, aiming to capture candid images of them going about their daily lives.
How much do paparazzi get paid? ›
As of Jun 14, 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 are the rules for paparazzi? ›
In the U.S., photographers may take pictures in all public places. New York does not have specific laws addressing paparazzi. And the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution explicitly protects the free press from government intrusion. California is where paparazzi are a constant presences thanks to Hollywood.
How do the paparazzi know where celebrities are? ›
By watching, waiting and possibly paying off valet attendants, shop clerks, restaurant hosts and others, paparazzi can gradually learn about a celebrity's habits and anticipate their activities. This paparazzi lifestyle has also evolved into its own minor tourist attraction.
Why do celebrities pay paparazzi? ›
Paparazzi photographers are often paid by media outlets, such as magazines or news websites, for the photos they take of celebrities. The photos are then used to create stories or articles about the celebrity, and the media outlet profits from the increased traffic or sales generated by the content.
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. Сollusion.
Why is paparazzi illegal? ›
Due to the reputation of paparazzi as a nuisance, several countries and states restrict their activities by passing laws and curfews, and by staging events in which paparazzi are specifically not allowed to take photographs. In the United States, celebrity news organizations are protected by the First Amendment.
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.
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).
Can paparazzi be sued for taking pictures? ›
Under the Supremacy Clause to the U.S. Constitution, federal law trumps state law when the two conflict. 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.
The World's Most Photographed Celebrities
- Prince Harry - 119,379 images.
- Jennifer Lopez - 107,997 images.
- Paris Hilton - 101,438 images.
- Jimmy Kimmel - 100,520 images.
- Bill Murray - 92,194 images.
- Rihanna - 86,247 images.
- Jimmy Fallon - 82,464 images.
- Camilla Parker-Bowles - 79,602 images.
Security and privacy is a major issue these days, especially among celebrities who face constant harassment by paparazzi. That is why a number of celebrities, empowered by social media, are fighting back in an effort to protect not only their personal privacy, but also the privacy of their children.
Do actors call the paparazzi? ›
The #1 most important thing to know, which surprisingly very few people seem to understand is: 99‰ OF ALL CELEBRITIES DESPERATELY WANT AND NEED THE ATTENTION OF THE PAPARAZZI. MOST OF THEM ALERT THE PRESS TO THEIR MOVEMENTS IN ADVANCE.
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]."
Why paparazzi is unnecessary? ›
There is no excuse for the criminal and morally wrong lengths the paparazzi goes to in an effort to get unique photos that give them recognition and make them money. The actions of many paparazzi create traumatizing experiences and memories for celebrities who are simply trying to live their lives.
What is the most expensive paparazzi photo? ›
NUMBER ONE — $ 6 MILLION
It's of late Princess Diana and her boyfriend, late Dodi Fayed. These pics were sold to the press for a staggering sum of $6 million. They were taken in July 1997, just a month beforeboth of them met with an unfortunate accident involving a high-speed car crash in Paris.
How much are paparazzi photos worth? ›
The going rate is now a guaranteed US$750,000 for any celebrity photograph, but only if that photograph is taken by an official paparazzi (identified as such by the tattoo on their neck).
Is paparazzi a good job? ›
With the rise of Instagram, celebrities have the power to take the shots themselves, sometimes making paparazzi shots worthless. If you're really good, you might be lucky and make $75,000, but you probably have $20,000 or $30,000 of expenses a year on top of that.
How much are fake paparazzi? ›
What it'll set you back: The prices for our packages are typically based on the city, but in general, the A-List Package (four paparazzi, up to 30 minutes, digital photo delivery) is $500 to $600. The Superstar Package (four paparazzi, up to 60 minutes, digital photo delivery, one bodyguard) is $900 to $1,000.
