Paparazzi Bitch

Book excerpt: What does the female gaze look like in celebrity photography? We are long beyond the time of a paparazzo being the "predator" and the actress being the "prey." Nowadays, more and more women photographers are on the streets, on the red carpet and behind the scenes at film festivals. The result? A sisterhood has emerged that shows stars in a different light. This new photography book comes from the lens one culture journalist who has been covering the entertainment world for years, Nadja Sayej. Featuring celebrities like Lady Gaga, Salma Hayek, Alicia Keys and Paris Hilton, this book features over 100 photos of celebrities, art stars and luminaries, up close and personal, taken between 2011 to 2022. Featuring photos of Sarah Jessica Parker, Marina Abramovic, Naomi Watts, Sofia Coppola, and more, this is a different light than we've seen them through the male gaze. They're not just objects of desire. With behind-the-scenes stories, essays and anecdotes, Sayej hopes to raise awareness of all the women photographers who spend their lives behind the lens—often fighting for their spots on the red carpet, in Hollywood or on the streets of New York. Is a woman paparazzo a more “gentle” photographer than a man? Why are women photographers still overlooked in the entertainment industry? Why don’t we know about more “great women paparazzo” photographers? There are none on the museum walls and so few women photographers become "household names." Why is that? From the art world to film festivals, backstage at concerts, fashion week front row and house parties, this is a backstage pass to the lives of the rich and famous. Consider it a photo diary from someone backstage, even if only for a fleeting moment, tracing the lineage of pop culture in a way we might never see again. “It’s a business of looks, if you don’t look good, you’re a fool.” -Joan Rivers