if paparazzi just asked

paparazzi have gotten a name for themselves to be as invasive as a colonoscopy. i once watched a show where some paparazzi just asked to photo the celebrities and were alllowed. this way the celebrities could allow what shot was used. it was less intrusive and the celebs had a say in it.

last sunday i was doing some prep work for youth on sunday night as a student from syracuse university came by the church. he told me that his class was doing a photo story on the town of pulaski. this was something the class would do every year. they would pick a different town and this year they had chosen pulaski. daniel (su student) told me that his job was to cover our church. he wanted to take pics on the life of our church.

so the friday he showed up with his two cameras worth approximately $3000 each and he followed me throughout the day taking pics of my day. he was there with me when i met a couple guys for lunch (he did put the camera down long enough for some pizza and wings). he went along with me as i showed him the salmon fish hatchery. i visited one of the teens who was target practicing with a bow (hunting season started the next day). he even came along with me to celebrate canadian thanksgiving. (yest i know i am not canadian, but the other two pastors on staff are). he even stayed around to photo me and some of the teens as we got together to play xbox. it was a pretty long day and both of us were wiped by the end of the day. but like i said he wanted to get the whole weekend, and this was just friday.

saturday was a little more laid back as he came over and met jenny, took some pics of her and i loafing around the house. when jenny left for work he followed me over to get some pics of me in my office. most of the day he was working on his presentation so we did not see a whole lot of each other. on saturday evening. all the towns people had a chance to see the pics as a slide show at the fire hall. there were definately some amazing pics to see. they covered the town of pulaski very well.

i have never really been followed around like that before. it was a little strange but yet fun. i am sure daniel felt a little out of place as well. but through out my somewhat reality tv/ paparazzi experience i am definately glad he asked because how weird would it be to have a guy with a camera following you around for a whole weekend. it does have the potential to be quite stalkerish. but because he asked i did not have to file for a restraining order to keep him away. so i guess this is a story written to and for paparazzi. please just ask.