Close calls common in paparazzi world, says former photographer

CTVNews.ca StaffPublished Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013 8:56AM ESTLast Updated Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013 9:09AM EST

With certain exclusive celebrity photographs fetching a small fortune, one former paparazzo says the desire to capture the perfect shot often overshadows safety concerns.

After a photographer was struck and killed by an SUV in Los Angeles earlier this week when darting across a busy street to capture a shot of who he believed was Justin Bieber, many have called for new rules needed to protect both celebrities and the paparazzi.

Chris Gampat, a former New York-based paparazzo and the current editor in chief of photography website The Phoblographer, told CTVs Canada AM on Thursday that the death may be the wakeup call needed in the industry.

This is something that actually happens a lot, said Gampat, who left the paparazzi world because it was too cutthroat.

Gampat said his first assignment in the industry was to capture a photo of actress Julia Roberts and he was almost struck by a tractor trailer in his pursuit.

I didnt realize because I was so in the zone, he said.

However, with a single exclusive shot of a celebrity having the potential to fetch tens of thousands to a million dollars, Gampat said the big payout often overshadows safety concerns.

When youre a photographer and you need that shot to pay bills, it really just comes down to the photographer trying to make sure that they are constantly aware of their surroundings.

Following the photographers death, many have called for tougher laws governing the industry.

"Hopefully this tragedy will finally inspire meaningful legislation and whatever other necessary steps to protect the lives and safety of celebrities, police officers, innocent public bystanders, and the photographers themselves," Bieber said in a statement released by Island Def Jam Music Group.

The photographer, identified by local media as 29-year-old Chris Guerra, was struck and kille! d on Tuesday as he darted across a street after snapping pictures of Justin Bieber's white Ferrari. The teen heartthrob was not in the car at the time of the accident.

With files from The Associated Press