Should Celebrities Sell Baby Pics?
This may not be a gossip blog but this is one of those issues I’m sure we all think about from time to time. It is one thing to post our children’s pictures online or to send in the mail to relatives, but it’s another to sell them. What do you think or feel towards celebrities that sell their unborn child’s first baby picture to the highest bidder?
Okay for those that don’t know:
Angelina Jolie’s first born child, Shiloh’s, pictures sold for around $4M. Now she’s pregnant with twins and the further along she goes in the pregnancy the higher the bid will become, currently it is $20M. Pax, adopted son, sold for $2M.
Jennifer Lopez and Mark Anthony’s twins only sold for $6M and this was their first pregnancy.
I can’t recall how much Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes little girl, Suri, sold for but I’m sure it was right up there around $1M.
As you can see there is a growing trend to make money off your child before it is born, at least in Hollywood. For most of us those “first shots” are precious moments, but in Hollywood it seems to be a game of who’s the most popular. I’m in no way saying these babies are ugly, they are cute, but so are over half of the world’s babies. Am I right?
The question for you is:
Would you sell your baby’s first photo? Why or why not? I’m shouting no right now and this is why.
Can you picture all the crazies that are probably chasing Brad and Angelina Jolie at the moment? With her growing tummy and no one winning the war on the first photo of the twins someone can get that shot and make some cash. This could cause a lot of issues with the family, besides stalking you’ve got kidnapping, etc. Then even if they announce they are giving the first pic to a certain magazine someone is still going to try to get that first shot before it hits the press. I like that Jessica Alba decided not to sell her baby’s photo, instead she’ll probably post it somewhere so no one chases her around.
Is selling your baby’s photo to the highest bidder really worth it?
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POSTED IN: Mommy Extras
4 opinions for Should Celebrities Sell Baby Pics?
Dexie
Jun 18, 2008 at 8:58 pm
As I recall, when Brangelina had Shiloh’s picture taken, they donated all the proceeds to charity. I have no reason to think they’re lying about that as they’re very visible in their humanitarian efforts. Most of the celeb parents who has had their babies picture taken believe that by doing this, it’s in their control. As crazy as it is, the world wants to see the first photos. Instead of fighting off paparazzis, celeb parents would rather get a professional photographer come to their house and take pictures for a Magazine.
I think Julia Roberts has done it this way with her twins as well. Suri Cruise was getting hits online on what she would look like. Crazy people were calling the child mean names just because Tom and Kate held off on the pictures.
If Brad and Angie decides to have their twins picture be on the magazine again, it’ll probably be on their own terms and I’m betting they’ll give whatever they get to their charities as well.
So these celebs can either fight paparazzis off while covering their children with blankets or hide inside their house until the kids turn 18 OR take control of the situation and have some professional take the pics then donate the money for various charities.
Cherie
Jun 18, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes posed with Suri for free. They demanded a big spread but took no money from the sale of the pics.
Noneya
Jun 18, 2008 at 9:57 pm
It’s their baby, their life, their business…who cares??
sherry
Jun 19, 2008 at 5:14 am
Brad and Angie did donate the money to charity with both the kids, and will likely do the same with the twins.
I read Brooke Shields’ book “Down Came The Rain” and she explained it in there (she didn’t feel like posing for the photoshoot because of her PPD but had to). Once a magazine publishes the exclusive first pictures, the chase is over. The whole chasing phenomenon that you mentioned is worse if no one has gotten the photo yet. By doing it this way, the celebrity has control of how the photos are taken (and where), they remove the thrill of the hunt (though Brad and Angie will always be chased to a degree anyway), and instead of the paparazzi pocketing the money it goes to someone who needs it.
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