paparazzi

thumb|Swarm of paparazzi in a scene from La Dolce Vita (1960), including the original eponymous character Paparazzo thumb|Statue of a paparazzo by sculptor Radko Mačuha in Bratislava, Slovakia thumb|Mickey Hargitay assaults the "King of Paparazzi" [[Rino Barillari while a woman hits him with her purse on Via Veneto in Rome, 1963.]] thumb|Henry Bond's photograph of English singer-songwriter and entertainer [[Robbie Williams, shot in a paparazzo style in London in 2000]] Paparazzi (singular form paparazzo) are independent photographers who take pictures of high-profile people, such as actors, musicians, athletes, politicians, and other celebrities who go about their daily life routines. Paparazzi are often known for their relentless pursuit of celebrities, often using telephoto lenses and electronic flashes, or even following them in vehicles to capture personal, unflattering, or private moments. The photographs taken by paparazzi are commonly sold to tabloids, gossip magazines, and websites, where they are published to attract attention and increase sales. This type of invasive photography is often controversial because it can violate the privacy of the subjects involved.

==Description== Paparazzi tend to be independent contractors, unaffiliated with mainstream media organizations, who track high-profile people and take pictures of them opportunistically. Some journalists have described the behavior of paparazzi as stalking, and anti-stalking laws in many countries address the issue by seeking to reduce harassment of public figures and celebrities, especially when they are with their children. Some public figures and celebrities, such as Adele, Prince Harry, and Kristen Stewart, have expressed concern at the extent to which paparazzi go to invade their personal space. The filing and receiving of judicial support for restraining orders against paparazzi has increased, as have lawsuits with judgments against them.