All aspects of the paparazzi’s craft are unveiled, from the love-hate relationship between photographer and celebrity to the role of the oft-disparaged profession in art today.

In 1960, Fellini invented the now infamous paparazzi character in La Dolce Vita. The profession’s image has since alternated between that of a parasite and an indispensible marketing tool in the lucrative business of celebrity branding that has become a mainstay of popular culture. The most scandalous and memorable photographs of the stars that feed the media machine-from Jackie O to Britney Spears, from Lady Di to Kate Moss, and from Jack Nicholson to Michael Jackson-are included, along with an assessment of the glamour and perils of life in the spotlight. Four leading paparazzi explain the risks of their profession, the factors that impact market value of celebrity snaps, and the tricks employed by both sides-from terrifying car chases to staged publicity stunts that maximize a star’s visibility.

The place of the paparazzi in contemporary art is also covered, either in iconic images themselves, or as inspiration for artists such as Richard Avedon, Cindy Sherman, Terry Richardson, Gerhard Richter, Sophie Calle, Andy Warhol, and Weegee.