I've been interested in paparazzi and people who stalk celebrities since my brother started his music career. When people said how lucky I was to have a famous family member, I wish they could see the other side. Our outlook was far from the glamorous lifestyle many people imagined. Our life stories, our candid statements and our friendships are examined as if they were evidence from a major crime scene. As I looked at the problem from my unique perspective, I also realized that the solution was not as simple as I thought. The constitutionality of legislating a person's right to chronicle the lives of others came into play. And recently, as I enrolled in college to major in photography, I had yet another perspective to add to my research. Should the federal government pass legislation specifically aimed at restricting paparazzi activity, or is there a less constitutionally threatening alternative? Who are the paparazzi? Many definitions exist for paparazzi. The Oxford Dictionary defines the word as “a freelance photographer who pursues celebrities to photograph them.” James Howe expands on the definition by adding “these are photographers who seek out and follow celebrities, or organize events to which they have not been invited, in order to photograph them in their most unexpected moments” (Howe 17). My interpretation of paparazzi is that of photographers who chase, harass or harass their subjects in an undesirable environment. This does not apply to photographers or photojournalists who cover red carpet events, nightclubs, concerts or promotional tours. Candid shots and documentaries in which a photographer is a guest are not considered paparazzi acts. Chasing, searching, crushing events - is this really the freedom of...... middle of paper ...... paparazzi has the opportunity to make a living. The balance must also allow these artists to express themselves creatively. But we also need to show restraint. Allowing the celebrity to lead a somewhat normal life when on private property, at a school function with a child, or at a loved one's funeral would go a long way toward making this a functional relationship. Perhaps the most important issue is ensuring the safety of celebrities and their families. Ultimately, the insatiable demand for more and more information about the lives of celebrities is creating a dangerous frenzy around these talented people. Ultimately, perhaps the biggest challenge is: how do we teach people to live and enjoy their own fulfilling lives rather than spending so much time and money living through others? Could this be the real solution to this problem??