Cameraphone users are seriously threatening Paparazzi

The writing has been on the wall for a story like this for a lonnnnnnnnnng time. With millions of high quality cameraphones in circulation, no wonder.

If Brad Pitt does a London walkabout and comes into contact with, let’s say, 1,000 people — I’m willing to bet that, instead of being exposed to perhaps say, 20 professional photographers, he could conceivably come into contact with, what, 800 cameraphone users?

What percentage of a London crowd — I’m thinking somewhere in Leicester Sq, for example — own decent cameraphones? Almost every phone now available has a 1-2 megapixel camera.

Link: Phone snappers put squeeze on paparazzi | Press&publishing | MediaGuardian.co.uk

A top paparazzo has said business for celebrity photographers is under serious threat from an army of amateurs and opportunists snapping stars on their mobile phones.

German Hans Paul, who says he once earned $120,000 for a picture of a then-pregnant Julia Roberts, said fees for paparazzi had been driven to new lows as even fans and autograph hunters now know how to market their pictures.