got my flash on, it's true; need that picture of you...

[rockinhamburger]

Would you be okay with a complete stranger to taking a picture of you? If someone snapped a shot of you without asking, would you be cool with it? I wouldn't. In fact, whenever strangers have tried to take photos of me I've been fairly explicit in my disapproval. Why? 'Cause it's creepy.

Now, if I'm wearing something outlandish and someone says, "I love your outfit, can I take a picture of you?", it's a different story. The difference, I'm sure you'll notice, is that permission has been requested.

You see, Adam Lambert's brother, Neil (@negativeneil), is working as a roadie for the GlamNation tour this summer. According to Neil's Twitter, he's been running into some trouble with fans who wait outside Adam's shows and take photos of him while he's working, and he's grown increasingly frustrated with this and become more vocal about the subject on his Twitter.

Last night I read a snide comment in a community I love that called Neil an attention-seeking jerk. Now, it didn't take very much time or effort to work out what this commenter was referring to, and I didn't respond to the comment because I hate getting into debates in any community; doing so in the past has ended badly for me, and I'd rather avoid the trouble.

But it bothered me enough that I wanted to say something in my journal.

I think Neil's a cool guy. I definitely don't think he's an attention-seeking jerk. And if I were in his shoes, I'd be irritated by fans (of my brother, no less) taking pictures of me while I was working. Why? 'Cause it's creepy.

What do you think?

Comments

[lokiiago.livejournal.com]

Yeah I'd DEF ask permission

[rockinhamburger.livejournal.com]

Exactly! It's common courtesy, you know? If I saw him, and he wasn't carrying something heavy or clearly in the middle of something, I'd definitely ask. More likely chicken out, BUT I'd still be cool with others asking.

[adammlambert3.livejournal.com]

yes i think they should definitely ask permission.

[iamashamed.livejournal.com]

ia

[moirariordan.livejournal.com]

I agree in one sense, especially since Neil is Adam's brother, like he's really not famous in the sense that Adam is. He didn't audition for American Idol, his brother did, and he's helping out on his bro's tour, the end. He has this kind of sideways notoriety among serious Adam fans, but a "regular" (ha, we're really not all that regular IMO) person would be like, "Neil Lambert, wtf? Who cares?"

But when it comes to like, Adam himself, or another celebrity - it's sort of the nature of the beast. When he gets photographed by paparazzi buying coffee or walking to his car, those photos get sold to magazines, websites, wherever - it's exposure. It's not like he's going to stop them from doing it (not that he could really) because it's how people get famous, and stay famous. So yes, it's intrusive sometimes, and it's annoying, but it's what he does.

And I am so the last person on earth to defend paps, but to me it seems like - you have to let that shit go, because people are going to do it whether you like it or not, and getting upset about it isn't going to do anything but make you feel shitty, and in the case of Neil, piss people off sometimes.

Lol, not so sure this made sense. But completely OT, I just spotted a tag that says "intricacies of anal sex" and I LOL'd. I so love you.

[rockinhamburger.livejournal.com]

I completely agree with you that's it's different when it comes to Adam and the paps. I mean, yeah, I'm sure it gets grating for him at times, but it's totally part of the job description for Adam. It's worth it. Plus, that's what the paparazzi do.

If you're not a pap, though, it just seems so rude to snap someone's photo without their permission. I remember hearing this gossip story (don't know if it's true) a few days ago about Gaga being at a restaurant with some friends when a fan took a picture of her. Apparently she wasn't pleased and even went to ask the fan to delete the picture. Whether or not that's true, I think taking photos of celebrities when they're eating with family/friends is an invasion of privacy. If I saw Gaga or Adam at a restaurant, I'd definitely be pretty stoked (and probably stare a lot, which would also be kinda rude I guess) but I would never take a picture or approach to say hello or ask for an autograph. Personal boundaries need to be respected, I think, no matter how much you like someone's music. And I think you're right that it'd be better for Neil if he just ignored it.

You totally made sense, and I agree with you 100%.

I'm also glad to hear you enjoyed my silly tag. I have some interesting ones, that's for sure!

[chosenfire28.livejournal.com]

I agree with this SFM

[fobsessed54.livejournal.com]

AGREED!!! although i also agree with moirariordan as well. in terms of Adam, he can't stop that and it's going to happen whether he likes it or not. However, Neil is a different story. It IS common courtesy to ASK someone if you can have a picture. and i COMPLETELY understand about chickening out!!! (and omg nikki, omg, i might get to see Adam TWICE IN ONE WEEK!)

[rockinhamburger.livejournal.com]

LUCKY LADY! *jealous*

I get to see Adam in about six weeks, though, which is WAY too far away but still fucking exciting!!! :D

[constancedobler.livejournal.com]

Rude? Yes.

HOWEVER...I think that once Neil started engaging with the fans (particularly accepting a freakin' piano from them), he crossed the line into celebrity of a sort, and so now needs to deal with what comes.

AND fans taking photos of people moving equipment outside of concert venues isn't unusual, anyway. It's interesting, people have their cameras anyway for the show, they're excited, etc.

So, yeah, sort of rude on fans' part, but I don't think Neil should expect to be treated differently than anyone else that's part of that tour and engages with the fans on Twitter. Do I think he's horrible? No. Do I think he should expect a bit of it? Yeah.

[rockinhamburger.livejournal.com]

I can fully concede your points.

But I'd wager that any fan who participated in getting him that piano is the kind of fan who'd go right up and say, "Hey, I'm ____, I put in for your piano," and he'd be thrilled to thank them personally, take a picture with them, and give them an autograph if they wished.

I guess part of it is also that I just don't see the interest in snapping a photo of a roadie carrying something. Unless they're carrying Adam's wardrobe, I don't know.

You make very good points!