Huffington Post was one of the news outlets that bought the photo">

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Does a Beyoncé Picture on Instagram Mean the End of Paparazzi As We Know Them?

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/25/beyonce-blue-ivy-grab-lunch-brooklyn_n_2947830.html?utm_hp_ref=celebrity">Huffington Post</a> was one of the news outlets that bought the photo
Huffington Post was one of the news outlets that bought the photo

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

It's a tale as old as Instagram: Regular people privy to exclusive moments take pictures and share them on social media, thereby driving down valuation of said exclusive moments. The New York Times' Bits blog noticed that Beyoncé's latest viral picture (she and Blue Ivy leaving lunch in Brooklyn) was snapped by a regular person, shared on Instagram, and then sold to various media outlets. Celebrity media site, PopSugar, explained that the price tag of the photo was driven down because the photos are shared on social media first. Go figure.

But whereas Beyoncé and her famous brethren are only fighting to the losing fight to protect their privacy, brands are trying to control their image. And as we know from less than desirable blurry photos at Chanel's Metiers d'Art 2012 show as well as this past Fashion Month, limitless exposure isn't always good for them—nor for consumers who often want to see decent pictures of their favorite designs. What do you think? Is there a photo bubble in fashion and/or celebrity culture? How many pictures of Beyoncé are too many pictures of Beyoncé?
· Instagram and the New Era of Paparazzi [Bits]
· Chanel's Linlithgow Show: Instagram Fail? [Racked]