celebrity photography * being paid

[sydneyguy30]

I have a question about Celebrity Photography.

Forgive me if I have posted this thread in an area that is not most relevant
but based on the notaion


"About working as pro, thinking like a pro and shooting like a pro. Ask questions and share words about shooting professionally, earning money, challenges of digital revolution and getting the job done and billed."

I figured this may be an ok section to post.

Recently, I enquired with a Celebrity Media Agency about getting shots published on a freelance level, basically, Paparazzi style or general public appearances...

They said, the'd be happy to review pictures I have taken and purchase some of them, at times where any of there print clients want to purchase them...(hypothetical example, who magazine, famous magazine, sunday telegraph...)

they said, i'd need to sign a contract and i'd be paid a certain % of the sale of some of the pictures.

I guess I am wondering, if this line of work is viable at all - as i thought it was only more big time photographers who got to have thier work published with the glossy mags...

should i be greatful that they have shown an interest or is this stock standard or what....

any tips or feedback on this subject or how to best enter the world of selling the odd celebrity picture and how to best approach media agencies ...and who its best to channel thru...

[jameslcross]

I guess I am wondering, if this line of work is viable at all - as i thought it was only more big time photographers who got to have thier work published with the glossy mags...


I watched a documentary here in the uk the other week about the paparazzi, anyone can do it, it seemed like hard work though as you only get paid for the shot, you have to cover all your costs in the hope you can get a good shot.

Some of the guys on the program were very lucky and had a nice life style, some of the guys were living in bed sits and eat pot noodles morning noon and night.

The ones which were earning lots of money were going for exclusives, invading on the celebrities privacy, going for the up the skirt shots, claiming drain pipes, chasing them in cars etc etc even following them abroad! They also had lots of contacts, their mobile phones were ringing constantly with tips offs, how they got these contacts is beyond me.

The other trick in this documentary was to get the picture to the paparazzi agency as soon as possible, first come first sold, the better paparazzi's were uploading the shots to the net via a laptop and a mobile phone as soon as the shot was taken!

It does look like good fun, not something I would want to do for a living, but I bet it's damn good fun!

[sydneyguy30]

interesting...

on the most part - i think i'll stick to normal officila public appearancers wher possible, then having the shots submitted to agencies / editors

I watched a documentary here in the uk the other week about the paparazzi, anyone can do it, it seemed like hard work though as you only get paid for the shot, you have to cover all your costs in the hope you can get a good shot.

Some of the guys on the program were very lucky and had a nice life style, some of the guys were living in bed sits and eat pot noodles morning noon and night.

The ones which were earning lots of money were going for exclusives, invading on the celebrities privacy, going for the up the skirt shots, claiming drain pipes, chasing them in cars etc etc even following them abroad! They also had lots of contacts, their mobile phones were ringing constantly with tips offs, how they got these contacts is beyond me.

The other trick in this documentary was to get the picture to the paparazzi agency as soon as possible, first come first sold, the better paparazzi's were uploading the shots to the net via a laptop and a mobile phone as soon as the shot was taken!

It does look like good fun, not something I would want to do for a living, but I bet it's damn good fun!