Paparazzi

I don’t like how the paparazzi “do whatever it takes” to get “the photo”. Why do they create this adversarial relationship with people who are basically their bread and butter?

I’m sick of the way they justify their harassment of celebrities by saying things like “ Don’t become famous, don’t become a celebrity if you can’t deal with what it’s all about.” “You spend your life promoting yourself" "Another camera shoved in front of you shouldn’t make a difference”.

I think this attitude is unfair. Other people’s jobs are nine to five or shift work yet celebrities are expected to “work” 24/7 every day. In spite of their pay packets do they really deserve to be “at work” all day every day without a break? When they do go on holidays they are still “at work”. They are “on show”.

I also get angry when paparazzi say things like “they like the attention”. I can see their point. Everyone thrives on harassment and negative attention in the form of unflattering, embarrassing or private photos splashed all over magazines and newspapers. They are pampered and spoiled and need adversity to build their characters.

The paparazzi say that their unflattering, embarrassing photos made them famous and keep them in the spotlight. They should get over themselves. If that’s the case then why don’t the people on “Australia’s funniest home videos” become rich and famous? Why don’t they become household names? Even though we take the piss out of celebrities we know that they work hard to get where they are just like anyone else. And besides, the magazines these photos appear in are a cheap and entertaining read that gets discarded in less than a week. The photos the paparazzi take are not going to win any awards, prizes or be found hanging in an art gallery any time soon. If it weren’t for the money they would be photographing sunsets instead of celebrities. If anything the paparazzi should be grateful to celebrities and show them a little respect.

At the end of the day celebrities know what they will have to endure as part of their celebrity. It’s their choice to pursue their dream job. It’s just a shame that human nature being what it is, unflattering, embarrassing and personal photos create an interest in the public and attract “the big bucks” from those using them in magazines, internet and television.