In what is perhaps the natural evolution of mega-celebrity, Kim Kardashian announced plans to employ her own paparazzi after getting sued for using a picture someone else took of her without permission.
Given the importance of media and images to people like Kim Kardashian and their method of making money, this move is probably business savvy on top of being pragmatic.
After posting a picture by Saeed Bolden that racked up 2.2 million likes, Kardashian found herself served with a lawsuit seeking compensation for her use of the picture and any money she may have made off of it.
Interestingly, the photographer is also suing Kim Kardashian’s Skims shapewear line though the account never actually used the photo in question.
All of this resulted in Kardashian hiring her own photographer or “paparazzi” to avoid this kind of thing in the future.
But there’s also another reason: Her fans.
Apparently, Kim Kardashian fan accounts were getting shut down on Instagram and elsewhere for using photos of her that they were not licensed to use.
These fans are allowed to use any image on Kardashian’s account since she hired her own team, telling her fans in a post, “Btw [sic] since the paparazzi agencies won’t allow the fans to repost, all of my pics are taken by my own photog and you guys can always repost whatever you want.”
What do you think? Is this a smart move on Kim Kardashian’s part?
After all, it does give a photographer a job.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Also, check out some of my other photography news articles on Light Stalking by clicking this link here.
3 Comments
Smart move! These paparazzis invade your privacy and then sue you if they take your photo. Now Kim will have a photo that every paparazzi will have. Who loses now?
I honestly think she should counter sue for someone taking pictures of her and using it for their monetary gain. It’s not like they give Kim a cut of the money they make from taking a pic of her. I think it’s very smart of her to hire her own photography team it shows how much respect she has for her fans and help them avoid getting themselves into a dilemma they don’t need to be , for just sharing a picture of her they like
This is a very smart move. Say what you will about Kim Kardashian. She is one heck of a savvy businessperson.