Paparazzi Gang's of LA

There are now so many Paparazzi photographers chasing the same A list celebrities that fights are starting to break out between the photographers in LA.

It is rumored that there are between 180 to 230 Paparazzi photographers trying to make a living in LA. It could be more because a lot of European Paparazzi are arriving in LA each month.

Most Paparazzi work for a few different photo agencies. Some work for themselves by submitting their photographs to different agency's as freelance photographers. But, it is getting harder for the freelance photographers to work for themselves in LA especially when it comes to the A list celebrities. And, either the freelancer gives in and joins one of these agency/gangs or he will have a hard time earning a living as a photographer.

Some of the more hard core Paparazzi agencies are acting like street gangs and using cameras instead of guns. Yes, these Paparazzi photographers are acting more like street gangs people read about in the magazines and watch on TV then photographers. They will threaten or fight other Paparazzi photographers in order to protect their celebrity turf. Photographers are told in no uncertain terms to stay away from certain A list celebrity’s that are special to these photographer gangs.

An example is Britney Spears. Britney is probably the top celebrity in LA right now. And, every magazine wants a photo of pregnant Britney and her husband out and about in LA. Certain groups of photographers specialize in following and trying to photograph Britney wherever she goes. If a rival group tries to work on Britney and follow her around, then fights happen.

The Paparazzi groups will physically block each other with their vehicles when following. The group with the most photographers usually will be able to follow the celebrity. These groups have photographers and blockers. A few of the Paparazzi from the group will block rival groups from following. This allows the main photographers to follow and take exclusive photographs.

If a lone freelancer try's to follow they don't have a chance. They will immediately be set upon by a few vehicles and prevented from following the celebrity and the rival photographers. This is leading to a lot of frustration among the photographers and fights starting to break out.

Yes, it is getting ugly in LA.