Visit the Tabloids

The origin of the word paparazzi is actually a movie character! The character is a photographer named Paparazzo in La Dolce Vita who would go to extreme measures to obtain pictures of American movie stars.  The word paparazzi is the plural of Paparazzo, who Fellini, the director, said reminded him of a “buzzing insect, hovering, darting, stinging.”  While the origin of the name Paparazzo is still disputed, many believe that it most likely came from the word papataceo, the Sicilian word for mosquito.[1]

Each member of the paparazzi has a group of informers who notifies him or her of a celebrity’s whereabouts.  These informers are most often people who work in businesses frequented by celebrities, such as restaurants, salons, and shops.  Unfortunately, there are occasions when people personally employed by a celebrity will be bribed for information.  Autographers are also used by the paparazzi.  These are people who make money by pursuing a celebrity, asking him or her for an autograph, and then selling the autographs for profit.  The autographers can stall the celebrity long enough for a paparazzo to take a picture.[2]

The paparazzi will generally obtain a picture by any means necessary, but they are only legally allowed to do so if they are on public property.  Once a photograph has been obtained, the paparazzi will try to sell it, essentially working as a freelance photographer.  The buyer and seller will work out a price, which could range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.  Oftentimes it costs the photographer more money to obtain a shot of a celebrity than he or she will make in selling it.  However, the most successful paparazzi members employ their own agents, lawyers, drivers, and other photographers who work as a team in order to get the best and highest-selling pictures.2

New camera technology is benefiting the paparazzi.  Digital cameras make it easier for the paparazzi to conceal their work, camera phones enable pictures to be taken in “no-camera” events, and some paparazzi members are even wearing hidden cameras or planting them near a celebrity.2

The aim is to get shots that tell a story: "Basically, anything that could spark a rumor or be a little bit cheeky.'' Jeff Raymer, paparazzo.2

It is clear that many members of the paparazzi have crossed numerous boundaries in their attempts to obtain exclusive pictures of celebrities.  Many public figures have cried out against the paparazzi, saying that the paparazzi chase them in cars and invade their personal space.  Private moments are captured on film, leaving the celebrities to constantly deal with the pressures of tabloid gossip.  While it is important that the media continue to report on public figures, a common courtesy should be shown to them in the process.  Celebrities have private lives, and while some information is pertinent to the public, specific details about their private lives and relationships should not be exposed.  Boxing celebrity Sugar Ray Leonard voiced the view of many stars when he proposed that boundaries be made determining how commercial photographers were allowed to operate, saying that "at times it becomes too invasive".[3]  Actor Sylvester Stallone suggests that the media reform should severely restrict or eliminate the paparazzi.  "The press, by and large, are fantastic. We're talking about a small renegade group. They're stalkers, legalized stalkers," Stallone said.3  The celebrities have made the first steps in speaking out against the paparazzi, but no further steps will be made without the support of the general public.  It is time for reform of the paparazzi, but where the line is drawn should be further examined.