These guys have alledgedly already killed a royal....who,s next?...
Paparazzi lurk for fresh Jolie-Pitt photos
Wednesday Jun 14 14:51 AEST
The paparazzi jostled for position in Malibu, California on Tuesday, apparently ready to do nearly anything for the first unauthorized photos of Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and newborn Shiloh.
"One time I chased Brad Pitt who was riding a motorcycle all the way from here to Los Angeles, mostly on the wrong side of the road," one shooter bragged.
"But I don't drive too crazy, I just like to be at the front of the pack," he said on condition of anonymity, as did the rest.
These men — all are men — are brothers in their profession but cut-throat competitors come the moment for the big-money shot that might pay the mortgage for a year.
Under a tenuous social order, they have held vigil for four days since the celebrity couple returned from Namibia to their seaside home.
Paparazzi say photos here command far higher prices than the European celebrity photo market.
Paparazzi have come under fire in Los Angeles for their sometimes dangerous pursuits of subjects.
Galo Cesar Ramirez was arrested last year for suspicion of intentionally ramming the car of actress Lindsey Lohan so that she would get out — and be photographed.
The Malibu paparazzi insist they are doing no wrong greater than giving people what they want.
"We're really not a bad bunch," said one as he wrapped a photo lens in black electrical tape and inspected it for imperfections.
"If Brad and Angelina were to come out of the gate right now and go down the road for a cup of coffee or something, we wouldn't even follow them," said another, with a skull belt buckle and a boxing glove pendant on a silver chain around his neck.
"You've got to wait them out, let them get a little comfortable, then maybe they'll take a drive up to Santa Barbara or something and we can get the good pictures," he said.
Governor Arnold Schwarzengger signed legislation in January giving California tough restrictions against aggressive photographers.
Under the new law, any celebrity photographer causing an accident may be liable for up to three times the amount of damage he causes and will lose any royalties for the photographs.
Patience pays the paparazzi as well as aggressiveness.
They cannot take days off, perhaps for a month, while waiting for big-money shots like the Jolie-Pitts, as the sun set over the Pacific Coast Highway
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