Don't worry, this isn't another plea for you to "Just say no" to tabloid photos, or a well meaning hashtag campaign.

I want to show you how you can make outrageous tabloid photos virtually worthless in three easy steps.  But before I do, it's important that you understand a few things.

Tabloids don't make most of their ad revenue from people visiting their site and clicking on ads - not directly anyway.

They make most of their money by having people like you and me share links to those photos on social media. Photos that are surrounded by ads, which you probably ignore for the most part.  So you may not think you're doing any harm by visiting these sites - but you are.

How are you doing harm?

You see, you don't have to actually click on any ads to generate revenue for the tabloid.  Tabloids are also paid for "impressions", which basically means that they get paid just for putting an ad in front of your face.

The more outrageous the photo, the more impressions, the more money for the tabloid.

So why should you care?

Because this cycle of greed is spiraling out of control.  And there is no telling how bad it might get.

Paparazzi have figured out that they will get paid a lot more for an interesting photo.  A photo showing emotion. Some paps will say and do outrageous things to evoke an emotional response from celebrities.  Why? Because they know they will get paid a lot more for that photo.  And, as mentioned, tabloids will also make more off that photo too.

So what can you do about it?

Deny tabloids revenue for the photos they publish - particularly the outrageous ones.

How?

Here are the three easy steps that each one of us can take:

If you see a tabloid photo that you absolutely must share, rather than copy and pasting a link from their webpage into your email or social media messenger,

1. Right-click on the actual photo - this should reveal a drop down menu.
   
2. Choose the option that says: "Open image in a new tab". - this will open an ad free version in a new tab on your browser.  Here is an example of how the ad free image will look.
   
3. Copy THAT link instead.  - You can now paste it into whatever email, twitter, or other message you want to send. 
   

Now obviously not visiting the site altogether would be the best solution.  Now that you understand that these images are often instigated, hopefully you will ask yourself if it is really an important part of your life.  Must people spread gossip about some situation they really know nothing about?

Should you do this for all photos you find online?

I would have to say "No" to that one.  You see, paparazzi is not photojournalism.  There are talented photojournalists out their who work hard for reputable news organizations.  They deserve to get paid for what they do.  In fact, they probably aren't paid enough.  Photojournalists pursue the truth, hopefully of important things that matter.  Pissing off celebrities doesn't qualify.  We need to all work together to make those kind of photos worthless.

Why should you care about celebrities?  That's your call, but from my perspective everyone deserves respect and privacy.

Oh yeah, if you really love hashtags as a way to communicate your intention try #ENDpaparazzi.  Together we can make their photos worthless.

@papbuster

10 things they may have convinced you of... but are not true:

1. You need the paparazzi - Really?  Did you get to where you are because of the paparazzi?  I thought it was because you worked hard, have talent, and pursued your passion.
2. You don’t deserve privacy - If you want privacy you must be selfish, right?  Wrong!  You're not asking for any special treatment.  Respect and Privacy are human rights.  Everyone deserves them. 
3. New laws are the solution - Laws are only effective if people believe they should be followed and if there is a risk of being caught.
4. You can't #ENDpaparazzi - You can't if you don't try.  There have been many greater injustices that have been overcome.  This one is easy.  You just have to believe that you deserve privacy and respect, then come together.
5. Your kids will get over it - Think of your childhood.  Think of the special moments.  Think about what made them special.  Will your children have similar memories?  Don't they deserve them too?  Don't fool yourself.  Children are devastated by the constant attention of both stalkarazzi and the general public.  We have to change things.  We can change things #RealFansShowRespect.
6. You have to take the good with the bad - Why?  Why can't we make the bad better?  Why can't we look at the motivation of people adversely affecting your life, and address each one with a countermeasure?
7. There are too many of them - You're right.  And the number/impact will only continue to grow unless we take action.
8. You signed up for this - Did you?  Or did you work in an artistic community you love, making sacrifices along the way, with the hope of sharing something special with the world.  Most people who are successful didn't get into it for the money/fame.  Sometimes these things are just a byproduct of being good at what you do.  Just because you can point to a few individuals who were motivated by greed, doesn't mean you are "fair game"
9. You just have to accept the paparazzi - Why?  Are you not equal?  Must you be punished because of your profession?  Or is it your success that we need to punish you for?  You don't have to accept it.  You can change things. But if you want Privacy and Respect you are going to have to demand it.  Nobody is going to just hand it over.
10. @papbuster must be a crazy person!  Maybe.  But I'm also serious about what I'm doing.  I won't stop until it is socially unacceptable to take a photo (of anyone) without permission.  Paparazzi is NOT Photojournalism . Does it really matter who solves this for you?  Or do you just want it solved.

We usually associate mobs with political protests and social movements, but in the last decade we have witnessed the rise of a new type of mob.  The Greed Mob.  As its name implies, greed mobs aren't motivated by protests and cries for social justice.  To the contrary, they are motivated by people who put their personal interest above the safety of others. The only other times we have witnessed such behavior in history, have been when people struggled for food and water for survival.  Greed mobs differ in that they form purely in the pursuit of something non-essential.  A photo.  The paparazzi (joined by #FanTurnedPaparazzo and their mobile cameras) are the best example of a greed mob.

Greed mobs are growing, but we rarely hear about them.  Only a few suffer.  They are our Artists. They are the people who entertain us. They are people who have succeeded. They cry out for protection and understanding, but are met ridicule and scorn.

Those who are threatened take the matter seriously. They have increased personal security measures. They recognize that - at times - their lives, and those of their immediate family, are in danger.  Anyone who has personally experienced a mob knows how dangerous they can be. Add instigation and a criminal element to the mix, they quickly become deadly.

People are quick to propose various solutions and non-lethal measures that can be taken to disperse mobs.  What they fail to realize is that once a mob turns, it cannot be controlled.

The best defence from a mob?  Prevent it from arising to begin with.  Find the root cause and address it.

Contrived "news stories" pose the greatest threat to ALL celebrities.

Some might say,"I don't have to worry.  I'm not mobbed by the paparazzi.  Sure, I get the occasional photo or intrusive fan, but it's nothing I can't handle."

These are the celebs I worry about the most.  The ones who feel that they are not "A-listers".  The ones who feel that they have it all under control.  They are the ones who face the greatest threat of all.  Not from being mobbed, but from being targeted by unsavory paps who attempt to create a news event that they can sell.  It may be hard to get away with when a celebrity is surrounded by security and other cameras.  It's not so hard when there is no one else around. All they need is someone with name recognition, a dramatic event, and a publisher with deep pockets to get enough money to comfortably retire.

As revealed in Teenage Paparazzo, individuals with a criminal history have been entering the paparazzi scene for a while now.  Have you ever wondered why?  These are often the same individuals who have changed the image of photographers.  The ones who instigate something, hoping it will increase the value of their photos.  But how far will this go?

It all started with words.  Insults.  Offensive questions.  These are all but common-place now.  When insults stopped working, it progressed to shoving.  Perhaps not of the celebrity themselves, but push another pap into a celeb? It happens all the time.

What's next?  How far will paps go to create value where there is none?  This is something that all celebs need to be concerned about.  Especially when a photo has the potential of being worth millions.

Don't just fear the number of paps surrounding you.  Fear the value that publishers place on a photo/video of something happening to you.

Any Anti-(insert group's name here) Law is destine to fail.  Why?  Because you are trying to take a specific group's rights away.  That doesn't mean that new laws can't help however. You just need to be talking to the right level of government and addressing specific public safety concerns.

Rather than thinking about what the State and Federal governments can do to help you, start talking to your local mayor or city counselor about what they can do for the community.  Call them personally.  No lawyers.  No lobbyists. Just pick up the phone and call them.  Perhaps invite them over for tea when you have 15 stalkerazzi staking out your house.

Why?  So they can personally see what you and your neighbors go through, so they can consider the broader public safety implications.

The wonderful thing about Municipal Governments are that they can act quickly and decisively to address problems that affect our everyday lives.  They may not be able to throw the paps in jail, but they can certainly give them a $500 fine for parking in a No Stopping/Permit Only zone outside your house.

Perhaps it's time you changed your frame of reference.  Rather than thinking you have a paparazzi problem, look at it as your neighborhood has a parking problem.  Rather than thinking you have a paparazzi problem, consider that it might be a crowd control/traffic problem.  City Councilors can do wonders in these areas of the law (example).

Some ideas:

1. Permit parking only on your block (with hefty fines).  Your neighbors should be onboard, because they don't want to deal with this crap any more than you do.
   
2. Traffic fines - Perhaps they need to be increased to address the driving behavior of certain individuals? Perhaps they need to accept video/photographic evidence of violations.
   
3. Crowd Control measures - to ensure the safe and orderly flow of pedestrian traffic for all.  Loitering fines?
   
4. Protection of Children ordinance - which could introduce hefty fines for taking photos of children you don't personally know without a documentary permit.
   

Judges aren't going to throw out municipal laws that address public safety issues.  Get enough fines and don't pay them, you know where you end up.  Is a paparazzo going to risk a $500 fine for a potential $150 photo?

Look.  I don't pretend to be an expert on municipal law.  I don't have all the answers.  I do know that getting state and federal governments to move takes a lot of time and money.  Even if you get a law passed, there are years of appeals. Perhaps you'll get a resolution when your kids are getting out of college.  This is not true for municipal governments. City counselors want to help all local citizens.  They have the power to help you.

Can I help you with this?  No.  I'm not trying to sell you anything.  I don't have expertise or access.  Even if I did, you don't need me.  This is a simple thing to do.  Pick up the phone.  Write an email to your mayor/councillor.  Call your local Airport authority and ask them why they don't have a separate drive-through entrance for high profile individuals to address public safety concerns.

We have all thought, "There should be a law against this" at one time or another.  The key is knowing what laws to change, and what level of government is responsible for them.

You can't win.  You can only disarm the tabloids by exposing their practices and making consumers aware they are being manipulated.

Publishers control the narrative.  There was a time, not that long ago, when the public wanted to see celebrities depicted as they imagined them - glamourous and happy - even if that wasn't really how it was behind the scenes.

Things have changed.  Publications have proliferated.  They cost next to nothing to launch.  They are all striving to be different.  They have realized that there is a market for anything.

Some tabloid "big sellers" have been around for a while.

1. Look how ugly/fat this person has gotten!
   
2. Look who is cheating on who.
   
3. Look who has been arrested.
   
4. And sadly, look at who has died.

But things are changing.  Now popular narratives include:

1. Look how similar your fav celeb is to you.
   
2. Look what she's wearing
   
3. Look at what he's eating
   
4. and my favorite, Did you hear what that paparazzo said to her?  Can you believe the nerve of him? (with the implication that maybe it's true).  So, either a question from a paparazzo qualifies as a newsworthy event, or it's just another vehicle to publish the latest outrageous speculation/gossip.

Why is this going on?  The short answer is that publishers have figured out that they no longer have to wait for a story. In fact, they can't afford to.  Publishers have realized that people will consume anything.  If mainstream publishers don't respond to the ever increasing "Baby Pap" and other niche publications, they will continue to lose market share. They excuse their behavior by saying, "if you don't like it, don't click on it".

Internet publishing has taken over.  Advertising dollars no longer require a salesforce.  Advertising revenue is only a click away, and can be set-up in minutes.  You don't even need educated journalists.  "Copy and Paste" journalism is rampant.  Just pick your favorite celebrity quote that was reported elsewhere, throw in a few observations of your own (even though you weren't there), and presto, a largely un-plagiarized "news event". 

There is a market for virtually anything.  Especially when it is considered "free" by the consumer.

Photojournalism too has gone from a profession to a quick way to make a buck (for some).  Professional photojournalists resent this more than anyone.  Next to the celebrities, they have suffered the most.  They are tarnished with the stigma of "paparazzi".

While professional photographers (the ones with ethics) are left bewildered on the sidelines, the general public has now entered the game.  They didn't plan to, but they have heard that a celebrity photo is worth money - potentially a lot of money.  They are are attracted by the crowds that now surround celebrities when they are out in public.  They now carry a decent digital camera with them at all times.  They get drawn in.  They become #FanTurnedPaparazzo.

Picking fights with publishers just gives them something else to talk about.  Something else to make money off.  They love drama.  What is more dramatic than a celebrity picking a fight?  You can make your pleas.  You can try to appeal to their humanity.  In the end, they will just use your concerns to make more money.

So what can be done?

1. Understand what is going on and why.
   
2. Inform people.
   
3. Encourage them to think critically.
   
4. Unite.
   
5. Use your voice.
   
6. Demand what you deserve - Respect and Privacy.

Publishers can only go so far in controlling the narrative.  We have many tools at our disposal.  Changing the law is fine, but it also happens to be the slowest option available to you.

So don't hate the tabloids. Use them.  Have a message ready, but don't pick a fight.  Don't focus on their lies.  Expose their half-truths and speculation instead.  Reveal the truth by asking questions and honestly sharing your perspective. That is how you win.

@papbuster
I don't have the truth, I'm just in pursuit of it.

I'm getting tired of something.

I'm getting tired of celebrities being weak.  I'm getting tired of them going before legislators, and news shows, and even the bloody paps themselves and saying "I get it.  I'm fair game".

Are you fair game?  Do you owe your success to them?  Do you have to give up your life because you are successful at what you do?  Do your children have to suffer because you are "fair game"?

Fuck that.

You are NOT fair game.  You are successful because you have talent. You are a human being who deserves the same level of respect that everyone else gets.

One day, you'll wake up to that fact and do something about it.  Something different.  Something that may just work.  And if it doesn't work you'll ask why, and adjust your strategy.  And learn from it.  And get better.  And get stronger.  And unite with others who are also suffering.

Every great struggle started with with one person saying "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!" - then doing something about it.

You don't get your life back by asking for permission.  You just take it back.  Stop thinking that you don't deserve privacy.

I want to start by saying that I don't pretend to know what you are going through.  I don't think anyone who is not being stalked by strangers can ever fully understand.

That said, I think it's important to start discussing how we can work together to minimize the devastating effects that the paparazzi have on children.  I hope new laws and consumer awareness will help, but I am skeptical. This isn't intended to undermine everyone's efforts.  I fully support new pap laws and all efforts to educate the public.

I think the core issue that we need to address with children is Fear.  Children don't understand what is going on and are naturally afraid.  You can do your best to explain it to them, but let's face it, how can anyone (including adults) make sense of this insane/unjust situation.

Another Strategy (for younger children only):

Treat the paparazzi as a game.  (Yes, I'm serious).  Not only a game, but a fun game that they look forward to.

Give your child an iPhone or ipad mini and show them how to use the camera.  Tell your child that the camera/ipad acts as a shield, and that the name of the game is "catch the paparazzi".  Every picture that they take of a pap, earns them points/rewards.  On the back of the iPhone you can stencil on the words "Papbuster.com" (to make paparazzi photos of your child worthless).  Eventually you can teach your child to easily upload the photos they take OF THE PAPS to the "Face of Greed" page on paparazzibuster.com (really, it's so easy a child can do it) .  This page has been created to provide a central place to store images and information on the stalkerazzi.  It is easily browsable and seachable and it's free.

Why do this?

1. It replaces Fear with something fun.
   
2. Children can understand (and maybe even appreciate) a fun game.
   
3. It collects important information.

Is this some misguided effort to get you to promote the papbuster brand? No.  I don't care what you solution you go with, or what you stencil (or don't).  I just happen to believe that the best solution is one where we all work together.

All comments/perspectives welcome (only serious posts will be published).  Post anonymously if you wish. 

I don't claim to have the answer.  There is likely more than one reason.  But I have some thoughts I would like to share on the matter.

From the celebrity's perspective, they are just doing a job or pursuing their passion as an artist.  They want to be viewed and respected as a regular person.  From the fan's perspective, the celebrity represents "the Truth".  The celeb inspires them.

Now, more than ever, the fan can learn intimate details about a celeb's life. They feel that they know the celebrity - even though they don't. They feel invested in the relationship - even though there isn't one.  When the celeb does something to violate this trust and admiration, the fan feels violated - even though they shouldn't.

The obsessed fan now has the means to lash out now through social media, which shields them from any repercussions. This backlash takes on a life of its own when the mainstream media picks-up on it.

No wonder celebrities are left bewildered. They didn't even realize that a relationship existed to begin with.

Documentaries like Teenage Paparazzo and $ellebrity have a done wonderful job trying to change the perspective of fans and educate them about the hardships that celebrities often go through. I believe this is hugely important.  Fans can be your biggest asset in the fight against paparazzi greed.  They adore you and want to help.  They just need a little guidance in the best way to help.  Their reaction to celebrity is a natural one, however it can be changed.

@papbuster

I hate one sided conversations. But here goes ...

I want to start by saying congratulations.  There is no denying that your recent efforts have made a big difference in a short period of time.  You have successfully chipped away at the deep pockets that fund #pedorazzi.  Children of celebrities are better off than they were just one month ago.  There is no denying it.

My main reason for writing this open letter is to pose the following questions.  Has it achieved the result that you were looking for?  Has the harassment stopped?  Are you living in peace now?  How much better have things gotten?

I hope that the answer to the above questions is a resounding “Yes”, and that things are significantly better.  I hope this for your family, and the families of all artists who have been the target of greed.

I understand that it will take some time, and that we have different perspectives on the best approach to take to solve the paparazzi problem.  I respect that.

My perspective is:

1. The problem will only continue to grow.
   
2. That you deserve the same level of privacy and respect that everyone else receives.
   
3. Your child also suffers when you are targeted by the paparazzi.
   

I hope the new laws and policies will help.  I really do.

But if you find that, despite the changes, the problem is still growing.  That you are still being stalked.  That your child is still being victimized.  Don't give up.

Instead, I hope that you’ll keep an open mind to other approaches.  I hope you will continue to ask questions and adjust your strategy until you find the peace that the rest of us take for granted.

I say these things as a father.  I say this as someone who understands that there is nothing more important in life.

You shouldn't have to stop doing what you love to raise a family.

I wish you and your young family all the best.

@papbuster
#ENDpaparazzi

Think the paparazzi only affect a few?  These are just some of them.  It's global. It's growing.  It's time to #ENDpaparazzi.

50 Cent
Abramovich
Adele
Affleck
Alamuddin
Alba
Alexander
Allen
Ambrosio
Anderson
Aniston
Anthony
Arias
Armytage
Arthur
Atkinson
Aubrey
Azalea
Bachchan
Bailey
Bain
Baldwin
Bale
Bana
Bardot
Becker
Beckham
Beeson
Bell
Belle
Benson
Bentley
Berry
Beyonce
Bieber
Biel
Biermann
Bingle
Black
Bloom
Blunt
Bomer
Bonas
Bono
Braff
Brown
Buble
Bush
Butler
Bynes
Calvert
Camilla
Campbell
Cannon
Cantona
Caplan
Cara
Carpenter
Carter
Casiraghi
Chappelle
Chastain
Chung
Cibrian
Claflin
Clooney
Cole
Collins
Connors
Conrad
Cooper
Cornish
Cowell
Cox
Craig
Criss
Crowe
Cruise
Cruz
Cumberbatch
Cuoco
Cyrus
Daley
Dappy
De La Huerta
Del Castillo
Delevingne
De Niro
Depp
De Rossi
Deschanel
Diana
Diaz
Dicaprio
Diddy
Diesel
Disick
Dockery
Dorfman
Dornan
Driver
Duff
Duhamel
Dunham
Duval
Edwards
Efron
Ekberg
Elmaleh
Fallon
Fanning
Faris
Farrell
Fassbender
Ferguson
Fisher
Franco
Gabrielle
Gaga
Gallagher
Ganesh
Garcia
Garfield
Garner
Garvey
Gayet
Gellar
Genevieve
Gere
Gomez
Good
Gooder
Gosling
Gosselin
Govan
Grande
Grant
Greene
Gretzky
Griggs
Gyllenhaal
Hamm
Handler
Hanson
Harding
Hardy
Hargitay
Harris
Hathaway
Heard
Heigl
Hemsworth
Henney
Hepburn
Hill
Hilton
Hoffman
Hollande
Holmes
Horan
Hough
Hsiao
Hudgens
Hunnam
Huntington-whiteley
Hurst
Hutcherson
Hyomin
Hyosung
Iglesias
Ihbrahimovic
Jackman
James
Jay Z
Jenner
Johansson
Johnson
Jolie
Jonas
Jones
Justice
Kaif
Kanye
Kapoor
Kardashian
Kerr
Kesha
Khalifa
Khan
King
Kloss
Klum
Knight
Kohli
Krasinski
Krupa
Kudrow
Kunis
Kutcher
Labeouf
Lachey
Lambert
Lane
Law
Lawrence
Lee
Levine
Lewinsky
Lima
Lively
Lohan
Lopez
Lorde
Loughlin
Lovato
Lynch
Malik
Manziel
Mara
Marini
Martin
Martinez
Mayer
Maynard
Mcavoy
Mcdermott
Mcintosh
McKenzie
Mendes
Meyer
Michele
Middleton
Milano
Minaj
Min-joon
Minogue
Moakler
Montag
Moore
Moretz
Morgan
Moss
Mowry
Mukerji
Murphy
Muse
Nargis
Nero
Ni Bheolain
Nissen
Nyong'o
Obama
Oberoi
Obi
O'brien
O'connor
Odom
Olsen
Ora
Osbourne
Overtree
Ozil
Padukone
Palin
Palmer Tomkinson
Paltrow
Panettiere
Papelbon
Paradis
Pascal
Pastore
Patrick
Pattinson
Patton
Penn
Perry
Phillippe
Phoenix
Phyno
Pillidge
Pine
Pink
Pinto
Pique
Pitt
Pope Francis
Pratt
Pressly
Prince George
Prince Harry
Prince William
Priyanka
Rafferty
Rai
Ranaut
Ranbir
Rancic
Redford
Renner
Ricci
Rice
Richards
Rihanna
Rimes
Rivera
Rivers
Roberts
Rodriguez
Rogan
Romeo
Ross
Rossum
Rowland
Russel
Saldana
Scherzinger
Schilling
Schumacher
Schweinsteiger
Seal
Selena
Sen
Serra
Seyfried
Shakira
Shannon
Sharma
Sheen
Shepard
Silva
Silverman
Simpson
Sinha
Smith
Snooki
Somerhalder
Song
Spears
Spelling
Sridevi
Stallone
Stefani
Stewart
Stiller
Stone
Stonestreet
Strahan
Styles
Sunny
Swift
Tao
Taratino
Tatum
Theron
Theroux
Thicke
Thurman
Timberlake
Tisdale
Tomlinson
Tulisa
Twiggy
Twigs
Tyga
Uday
Union
Upton
Valletta
Van Der Beek
Vardalos
Various
Vergara
Vieri
Vincent
Voight
Wade
Wahlberg
Walsh
Washington
Waterhouse
Watson
Watts
Weller
Whitmore
Wilde
Williams
Willis
Wilson
Witherspoon
Worthington
Yoona
Yuna
Zellweger
Zoe
Zolciak

You're right.  There are much bigger problems in the world.  So why bother?  Nobody cares about celebrities.

Perhaps you aren't seeing the bigger picture.

Unite under a cause (#ENDpaparazzi) that directly affects ALL celebrities and you may just end up with an unmatched force to drive social change. Maybe.

Is it the technology that made Twitter so successful? Or who's using it?

Step 1: Artists United Against Paparazzi.

Why papbuster?

Grandpa, What's a tabloid?

Well honey, not that long ago there were people who liked to read gossip and lies about other people they thought were important.  And back then, some people thought it was okay to sell stories about that.  They published those stories in things called Tabloids.

That sounds mean, why did people buy tabloids?

Well, there were probably a lot of reasons.  Mostly, they were just bored and wanted something to do I guess. Some people didn't realize that the celebrities were real people, with feelings and families, just like you and I.  Or maybe they just didn't care.

Why did people stop buying tabloids?

Well, unfortunately it took the tragic death of Miley Bieber's third son, Harper.  He was the one that people loved a lot.  He was a good kid who always helped others.   It was about that time that greed had reached its height.  People everywhere had heard that a picture of a celebrity was worth a lot of money.  One day while they were chasing him, he fell down some stairs and died.

Why were they chasing him?

Well, back then people paid money for photos.  Sometimes a lot of money.  And some people felt it was alright to take someone's picture without permission.

Really?  People paid money for pictures?  And would take them without permission?

Yes, I know it sounds hard to believe, but it's true.  You see, back then some celebrities thought that they needed the paparazzi.

What's a paparazzi?

Well it was a group of individuals who took pictures of unsuspecting celebrities for a living.

Why did they do that?

Well there were a number of reasons I guess.  Sometimes it made them money.  But I think they mainly did it because it didn't take a lot of skill and made them feel important.

But why didn't the celebrities just publish their own pictures like they do now?

Well, it wasn't that simple.  Some celebrities tried that for a while, but people just said mean things about them.  So a lot of them stopped.  Some celebrities were even convinced that they needed the paparazzi to continue to be successful.

That's silly Grandpa, why would they think that?

I know it sounds silly now.  But back then a lot of them believed it.  Really.  I guess they believed it because everyone told them that it was true.

So what changed their minds?

Well, after Harper's tragic death, a couple of things happened.  Mainly, people got angry.

At who?

Well, it wasn't really who they got angry at.  It was what they got angry at.  Greed.  There was just too much greed.

What did they do about it?

Well they did a lot of things.  Some celebrities tried to get a law passed, but that didn't work.  Some just left the business.  But probably the biggest change was that most celebrities started publishing their own photos and stories.  Even more important, they gave them away for free.

Why didn't they just do that to begin with?

I don't know honey.  Maybe they thought it was too difficult?  Maybe they were afraid that people would continue to say bad things about them.  I don't know.  All I know is that when they started doing this, things started to change.  A lot.  People were still able to read about their favourite celebrities and see pictures of them.  And I guess the celebrities realized that it wasn't so hard after all.  It just became a normal part of what they did.

That's funny Grandpa. People sure were strange when you were growing up.

You know something?  You're right.  They were.  Now go to bed so we can get up early and have some pancakes for breakfast.

Okay, Grandpa.  Good night.

How you naturally react to the paparazzi is understandable.  Let's look at what strategies have NOT worked so far:

1. Hiding (whether it is with sunglasses or under something). This only increases paps' aggression and determination to get a good photo.
2. Appealing to their humanity.  While noble, it does not address their motivation (greed) of getting paid.
3. Giving them the finger.  What used to make a photo non-usable is now considered acceptable - even desired - because it shows emotion.
4. Running.  This is where things can get dangerous.
5. Getting Angry.  While your anger is understandable, the paparazzi neither care or respect you.  They are not fans. They want emotion.
6. Assaulting/Destroying their equipment.  This will only entangle you in costly lawsuits that will further waste you time and resources.

Okay, hopefully we agree about what has not worked.  Let's explore what might work to #ENDpaparazzi.

Make their photos worthless

Display a sign/label with the name of a competing brand  - publishers won't touch it.  If they do, they promote our cause #ENDpaparazzi.  Ideally, you'll want to choose a brand that:

1. is free (for everyone).
2. offers better photos (provided by you).
   
3. has no ads.
   
4. has no copyright (so publishers and social media can take the photos and run with it).
5. offers the easiest searchable/browsable public access to celebrity photos.
   
6. is more concerned with pursuing the truth, than monetization
   
7. gives 95% of any future merchandising revenue to charities.
   
8. is associated with generosity.
9. you own an equal share in.
   
10. What brand meets this criteria? papbuster.com 

Why do this? Because removing the economic incentive is a key part of the solution to the paparazzi problem.

Educating the public

Educating the public is also a crucial component to #ENDpaparazzi.  This can be achieved through:

1.  High profile events.
   
2. one-on-one using a carrot and stick approach.
   
3.  PSAs on social media.
4. You.

Publishing Photos of the Stalkerazzi

1. Enlist the help of the public in exposing abusive paps.
   
2. Make filming the stalkerazzi a fun game for kids - to replace fear with fun.
   
3. Let's see how they like the attention.

I don't know if any of this will work.  We won't know until someone has the courage to try.  You can't solve a problem if you don't ask questions.  I'm asking.  I'll keep asking until we #ENDpaparazzi and make it socially unacceptable to take a picture (of anyone) without permission.  You deserve to be treated with the same level of respect that everyone else receives - don't let them convince you otherwise.

The following is an email I received from an anonymous pap on August 13, 2014:




From: crj3115 crj3115 [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: August-13-14 6:47 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject:

You're a fucking idiot if you think your website will get rid of paps.

What you don't realise is that celebs thrive off paps, we give them their much needed publicity.

No celebrity will ever wear your stupid shirt, they'll look like idiots and we'll keep shooting, but edit out your website, or hell, might be a good story. 

Your naivety amuses me. 

And by the way, it is perfectly ok to take photos without permission. Idiot. 

I recently received a letter from a pap.  She wanted me to understand why she feels justified being a paparazzo.
She said a lot of things in her letter.  Some I accepted.  Others not.  But the one thing that jumped out at me, was her insistence that certain celebrities strike deals with the paparazzi.  Tipping them off about their locations.  Selling their own pap photos.  What about their greed? She asked.

It got me thinking.  Why do some celebs do this?  And what do we really know about their motivation?

It's common knowledge that certain high profile celebrities have sold their photos directly to the tabloids. Often a large portion of the proceeds goes to a charity that they care about.  I'm guessing that they figure they really have no other choice.  After all, the law doesn't protect them or their privacy.  Why not fight fire with fire?

What about the celebs who refuse to participate for fear of perpetuating the problem? What happens to them?

The big problem with selling your own photos, is that it provides the justification that some paps have been searching for.  And they project that justification onto everyone that they deem a "public figure".  So it begs the question, Does fighting fire with fire just create a bigger fire?  How much control have you really gained?

I don't have the answers to any of these questions, but it has made me realize something.  Things will not get better until we all put greed aside, including me. The best way to defeat greed is through generosity.  The best way to #ENDpaparazzi, is to work together to #MakeTheirPhotosWorthless.

@papbuster

Here is my perspective.  What's yours? (post publicly by clicking on the "Add Comment" link below, comment anonymously, or send me a private email.)