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A different set of lenses
Just who are the paparazzi? A photographer and a magazine souce speak with FLASH to reveal details of the trade - and to dispel certain stereotypes.
By Eunice Oh
FLASH
Paparazzi surround Britney Spears and pal Sam Lutfi as the two walk through a Petco parking lot.
Photo: WENN (via DListed)
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Twist captures Lohan passed out after a night of partying at Teddy's with pal Samantha Ronson in the driver's seat.
Photo: X17 (via ABC News)
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Around 8 a.m. everyday photographer Twist reaches for his cell phone.
He begins to dial familiar numbers on his cell phone. He's coordinating with his group of photographers, known as Alpha X, to outline what territory (Malibu, Los Angeles, West Hollywood) and what celebrities each will be targeting.
This L.A.-based freelancer is just one member of the rapidly growing paparazzi industry, which has been notorious for its intrusive and aggressive tactics.
While he does admit this stereotype could be applicable to many, Twist tells FLASH he belongs to a rare group of paparazzi.
"I would say I'm the elite of what people call the paparazzi," he says confidently.
For starters, he refuses to take pictures of celebrities' children or celebrities in their personal space, including private property and homes. And instead of chasing an individual who clearly appears agitated by his $7,500 Canon camera, he'll stop. "It's just not worth my time and energy since I won't be able to get a good shot that way."
In such a competitive business, which he describes as "very dog-eat-dog and cut throat," it's common for some paparazzi to physically fight each other and verbally attack the celebrities in order to get the shot they need.
But he refuses to resort to such tactics or, as some say, stalk celebrities. In fact, he doesn't need to.
Instead of chasing celebrities and (literally) rubbing shoulders with his competitors, he receives tips on where he can find his targets, all thanks to his networking skills with key insiders.
"You have to know how to deal with people," he explains, "but more importantly you have to know how to respect people. If this means a celebrity saying, 'I'm having a bad day Twist' you leave them alone."
And that respect has earned him the trust of everyone from the valet guy at a ritzy hotel to the restaurant host to the publicist -- and in some instances, the celebrities themselves. He'll also get tips from weekly magazines who will pass along valuable information to him.
One particular tip even scored him the exclusive shot of Lindsay Lohan passed out in a car after reportedly partying at Teddy's in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel -- just two days after she crashed her Mercedes in Beverly Hills. Everyone from CNN to ABC News called his agency, X17, to request the shot, which sold for a staggering $750,000.
For those who would consider his line of work intrusive, Twist has a simple response: it's the public interest in celebrities that fuels the business.
"We don't just take pictures, we tell stories with the pictures we capture," the celebrity photojournalist, as he prefers to be called, says. "We're the hired investigators by the magazines but we're also hired by the public since they pay for these magazines."
Paparazzi and the magazines
"Celebrities have always known that exposure and publicity are important," a magazine source tells FLASH. "Fame is such an elusive commodity to obtain and keep."
But why then do celebrities pretend they do not want the attention? "They're in denial," Twist says. "They need publicity to stay in the public's eye. If they're shielding their face at The Ivy, they clearly crave the attention."
"It's dumb and silly," says the magazine source. "Paparazzi don't stake out at The Ivy or Koi for a single celebrity. They go there because they know a celebrity will arrive. Celebrities always appear agitated in photos and complain about the attention but why visit these places where you know the paparazzi are waiting?"
Though the source agrees that public interest in Hollywood and the entertainment industry is what sustain the paparazzi, it would, however, be fair to label some paparazzi as stalkers.
"I feel that's a fair assessment because they do stake out of some people's home," the source says. "But you can say that about reporters, too, whether or not they cover celebrities or work for tabloids."
Adds the source: "Paparazzi are known to overstep some boundaries and not follow the rules. But there are some lines the magazine won't cross. Many are respectful of kids being photographed or using any type of photo taken on private property."
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