Are Photographers & Paparazzi The Same?

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Are Photographers & Paparazzi The Same?

Submitted by Andrea Feczko on Sat, 02/10/2007 - 5:47pm.

After reading this NY Times article profiling Johnny Nunez, a well respected hip-hop photographer, my perception shifted on the label paparazzi.
Rarely is a photographer deemed such when dealing with celebrity clients, instead they are negatively coined as a vicious paparazzo. But some paparazzi, like Mr.Nunez, are in fact well respected and loved. Sure he is aggressive and pushy at times, but don't all photographers- and journalists- act the same way? Why aren't journalists and hard news photographers labeled as paparazzi?
Maybe Mr. Nunez is given a good review because it's fashion week where contrary to popular belief, the attendees are very open and excited by the press. It's a place where celebrities and press gain mutual benefits from one another.
I understand that press events and daily celebrity life are two very different worlds, but why can't we draw the line on the photographers' labels as well? In a place like fashion week where image is everything, great pictures sell more than just tabloids. Photography is first and foremost an art and I believe photographers should be given credit for their talent and labeled accordingly.
Maybe if the media and public collectively expected excellence from photographers, rather than invasion from paparazzi, then we could all benefit from increased quality and happy celebrities.

Jonas Pelli @ Sat, 02/10/2007 - 7:13pm

"Photography is first and foremost an art and I believe photographers should be given credit for their talent and labeled accordingly."
I totally agree. I think the difference between photographers and paparazzi lies in the difference between intent of the shooter and the desire of the subject to be shot. Paparazzi pry, probe, and violate privacy of subjects who don't want their picture taken. Photographers, on the other hand, have an authentic desire to create something mutually positive for both themselves and their subject. Fashion week is a good example; there's no exploitation because both sides are benefiting, and couldn't do so without each other.

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Source: https://journalism.nyu.edu/publishing/archives/wewantmedia/node/245
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