Paparazzi, Paparazzo, Adrian Grenier, Evan Ferrante, and me...

Today I was sent on assignment for our local online news agency to photograph Adrian Grenier and Evan Ferrante for Adrian's new documentary about a 13 year old boy in the profession of paparazzo. I did not see the film with everyone else at the Glenbow Conaco Phillips Theater. I had planned to just fly in, take the pictures I needed for the paper and head out to the rodeo grounds to get the events. I like deadlines and the rush of getting my work in on time to match what the columnist is writing is kind of fun for me!

Those of you that know my work, know that I have a variety of subjects in my portfolio. A good portion is famous athletes, musicians, political figures, and events that they attend. I have taken great pride in always asking for permission from my subjects, and never taking the pictures without their consent. I may not make the 'big bucks' that the paparazzi make on 'the one great shot', but I am also always hired by the event host, the celebrity that's being celebrated, or the local news. It's not like I've never considered it, I just didn't feel like it was the best example of a lifestyle I wanted my kids to grow up with. All in all, if you get a great picture, you can feed your family for a couple of years without worrying about how you're going to pay the rent or choose between groceries and the electricity bill. In the end, I never went down that road because something in me couldn't compromise my values for a dollar.

So I arrive at the event, the film is still in progress, and Adrian Grenier and Evan Ferrante are standing in the lobby organizing their stuff. Very attractive, relaxed looking young men. After signing in and checking my press credentials, their media coordinator sets up my time with the two actors. They come over and bring along the 'merch' for the shot. As I get the pictures as quickly as possible, I watch them with my camera eyes for anything slightly not right. There is not a sign of anything untoward. They are both comfortable in front of the camera and the charming boyishness is still very obvious in their easy camaraderie.

As I mentioned, I was planning to jet out of there right after I got the shots I needed. Something about their easy energy made me want to stay for the Question and Answer period they had scheduled for after the show had concluded. I waited in the lobby and watched them organize their team. Finally the theater doors were open, the lights up , the crowd was clapping. Time to watch the magic. Their introduction by Nico and then a few words of address to the crowd by Luke, and they were on stage, ready to hear what the crowd had to say.

The questions were not difficult, mostly about minor issues in regards to the film, but the one common theme were the positive comments about the film. Adrian and Evan seemed to be well versed on the politics of their subject matter. They answered every question thoughtfully and with intelligent discourse on the subject at hand. They had plenty of humor between them and their demeanor about the project made me want to see it. I decided I would get a copy and watch it.  They very kindly autographed the DVD jacket for me and I left with contact information to send them copies of the pictures I took.

 I watched the DVD while I was getting ready to head out to the wrap party and found it to be a side of the paparazzi I hadn't counted on... they were human too! They had families, feelings, humor, attitude and everything in between. Adrian gets behind the camera himself to experience the side he's usually not on. The tables are turned when the kid becomes his own celebrity and Adrian has to play hide and seek with him, where Adrian is the one having to catch up with the kid.

Quite a few years ago, I was photographing a concert for someone. Unbeknownst to me, the promoter was dating a famous singer that didn't want her picture taken with him and saw me with my camera. With the promoter's kin in tow, she bared down on me in the lobby during intermission and demanded to  know who I was working for. Her attitude was 'in your face' aggressive and challenging every word I said. I was not shocked or taken aback in the least, I took it in stride as part of the job. I was a little surprised that the promoter had not told his lovely siren that I was working for him. She demanded to know who I was working for, what I would do with the pictures afterwards, and on and on. She was really quite lovely in person, but the attitude at which she spewed vitriol in my general direction was uncalled for and inappropriate, and made her seem vain and self absorbed. I politely explained the way I work, who I was working for and if she did not want to be in pictures, that I would not take any as she so politely requested. I also assured her that if she did end up in any by accident, I would edit her out or delete the file entirely. I was true to my word and did exactly that. By the time she walked away, she was much more calm and asking for my business card. I had two in my pocket but didn't feel like it would be a wise decision to share one with her at the time. In her defense, she was one of the most sought after entertainers at the time, and I'm sure she knew what it felt like to be hunted every time she stepped out her door. I have people prying into my life often enough and I'm not nearly that famous. Imagine having random strangers trying to shine a halogen lamp in all your nooks and crannies for the world to see... No thanks.

 I used to cringe in my boots every time someone referred to me as paparazzi. Did you know paparazzi means 'a buzzing annoying little flying bug'? Hmmm.... I'm happy I was able to meet them, photograph for my news 'deadline' and  watch a great film, but I will still ask permission to photograph any subject that I need to get. The documentary told the story from a new perspective and I'm glad I was able to see it. I still don't feel the need to get 'the money shot' and make a million off it. If I do, it will be because some rare endangered animal poked his head out of his cave and I happened to be there to capture it for National Geographic .... hmmm seems pretty much what the paparazzi do after all, doesn't it?
Well, you get what I mean. I'd still like to sleep at night knowing I didn't run a deer off the cliff in my pursuit of that elusive claim to fame.

Get the Documentary... it's worth watching!  It's called Teenage Paparazzo - a film by Adrian Grenier.
In the meantime ... don't forget to check your Compass.
Cole