Get Rich as a Paparazzi Photographer

Looking for a career change with high risks and big rewards?  Then perhaps you should consider becoming a member of the infamous paparazzi.  The door is always open for those who can handle the long days and fierce competition.  All you need is a car, a camera, and a nose for the stars.  Here are some helpful tips to get you started.

Be Everywhere
The first step for success in this field is to become familiar with your surroundings.  You need to know all of the Hollywood hot spots and hangouts so that you can be there before the story breaks.  Get yourself a map and plan out a handful of routes to comb while you are waiting for the next celebrity spotting.

Work the Perimeter
How many Paris Hilton pictures does America really need?  While the rest of your paparazzi comrades are fighting over the same tired celebrities, branch out to uncover the next big thing.  You’re going to need some original content to make a splash in this industry.  Being the only one to catch a B-List Star behaving badly is much more lucrative then having the same Paris poses you find plastered everywhere.

Get Creative
You can only take a picture of celebrity while you are on public ground.  This makes it incredibly hard to get a clear shot of Brad Pitt without his bodyguards or other razzi brethren in your way.  An experienced photographer plays to his environment.  This means climbing rooftops, forcing fender benders, and even calling out your target to invoke a response.  Remember, face shots are money and back shots are worthless.

Network to Sell
So you finally get that perfect shot of Mr. Big Time in full lip-lock with his 20 year-old nanny…now what?  Most full-time paparazzi have agents or lawyers who negotiate directly with the major publications.  If you are not quite at this level yet, then you can start by emailing editors or calling the different publications to tell them about your treasure.  You will have to provide a water-marked sample to prove you have the shot, and it will be up to you to negotiate the price.

Are you ready for your new career?  The good news is that since you are a freelance artist, there aren’t many barriers to entry.  The bad news is that every college dropout with a camera is trying to do the same thing as you.  The key to success is being creative and work away from the crowds.  Once you prove yourself with a couple of big shots, you will have every editor in town on speed dial.