People don’t regard paparazzi shots as professional photography, but many get into it because it pays. A single photo can fetch five figures, and some have sold for six figures.
However, the paparazzi are earning less and less. They face more risks and more competitors today.
It does not stop many from photographing celebrities on the streets. After all, the best paparazzi are still making six-figure incomes.
People often wonder how their day goes. Do you want to discover it? Keep on reading to see how the paparazzi go about their business.
They Get Insider Information
Do you ever wonder how some photographers are always in the right place at the right time? It’s because they get information from reliable contacts. These are people close to the celebrity.
Sometimes, personal assistants or bodyguards give advanced details about a star’s whereabouts in the following hours or days. Finding celebrities isn’t hard for the paparazzi when paying for the information.
Agencies buying paparazzi photos can also access such information. They have to pay their inside sources, so the photographers get a lower cut.
Upon learning the celebrity’s plans, the paparazzi go to the location and wait for some controversial moments. If they have no information, they camp outside the house and learn their habits. Sometimes, they can get a good photo only by following the star around.
How Do They Sell the Photos?
A paparazzo’s job is pretty tiring and expensive. You have to pay for gas, car maintenance, hotel rooms, food, and so on.
As such, they need to take good photos. How do they make money out of it?
Most give their works to a celebrity photo agency, which sells the shots to the highest bidder. The photographer gets 20 to 70% of the deal, while the middleman gets the rest. If the paparazzo obtains information from the agency, they take a pay cut.
Is Being a Paparazzi Dangerous?
Paparazzi go to great lengths to capture something interesting they can sell for a high price, like this photo. They camp all night, stalk the best celebrities, and chase their cars.
They often get involved in dangerous situations to avoid missing anything. For this reason, being a paparazzo goes beyond picking up a camera and getting a shot. This profession also involves hazards due to their actions.
That said, it can be dangerous for the stars, as well. A paparazzo once struck Ryan Reynolds in an underground parking garage and fled.
Learn More About the Paparazzi Life
Being a paparazzi is no walk in the park, but some say they deserve every hardship. The public stigma about being one is harsh, especially after many injury reports.
As such, many lack sympathy for the paparazzi. Regardless, they’re people trying to make a living. It applies even if it uses somewhat unethical ways.
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