Difficult and controversial profession: 14 photos from the golden age of the Paparazzi

The current paparazzi figure isn't exactly the best, not least because celebrities around the world can't help but say how much they feel invaded when their lives are blown away without any warning.

These professionals often take risks in looking for perfect images of famous people, whether to show off parts of their bodies, to reveal what they are doing when they are off, or to try to uncover some sensitive information.

The word “paparazzo” (its plural is “paparazzi”) came from the role of Walter Santesso in Federico Fellini's film “La Dolce Vita”. Since then, especially in Italy, the number of photographers looking for famous people in intimate moments has multiplied.

At first, some celebrities were honored by the search, but it was not long before the trend began to make famous people angry and violent, even as some photographers created bombastic images of famous people using only their doubles in an attempt to generate controversy and scandal.

In 1997, when Princess Diana's death was related to unbridled paparazzi persecution, the profession began to receive much criticism and undeniably lost its glamor status. Currently, these professionals often face legal issues, as their adventures are seen as harassment at various times.

The photos below are part of an exhibition taking place in Turin, and they show us what the profession was like in its glory times and how some celebrities reacted to realize they were being photographed: