Nadja Sayej, a New York-based culture journalist with over 15 years of experience interviewing celebrities like Heid Klum, Susan Sarandon and Jerry Seinfeld, has released her latest photography book, “Paparazzi Bitch.” The book features over 100 candid photos of celebrities, art stars, and fashion luminaries, including Lady Gaga, Catherine Deneuve, Spike Lee, Karl Lagerfeld, and Tilda Swinton.
While she has been a journalist since 2003, Sayej’s journey into photography began in 2011 when a friend in Berlin gave her a Nikon camera. From then on, she brought her camera with her everywhere, from the Venice Film Festival to the Oscars. Her first trip to Art Basel Miami Beach in 2016 changed her perspective on photography and access to celebrities, and it became an annual pilgrimage for her to build her portfolio of celebrity photographs.
Sayej shoots for the photo agency Backgrid and has had her photos published in Vanity Fair London, V Magazine, and the New York Post. “Paparazzi Bitch” symbolizes her success as not only a female photographer, but also her determination to gain access to celebrities through her know-how, getting on the right guest lists, and being fast in the face of other photographers.
“I love photographing celebrities because they bring the hype to any party, film premieres, or red carpets,” says Sayej. “While many photographers and smartphones are always ready to shoot celebs when they make public appearances, I hope my shots offer something more – a genuine glance or behind-the-scenes shot that offers more insight to my viewers.”
“My book features photos of Sarah Jessica Parker, Marina Abramovic, Naomi Watts, Sofia Coppola, and more, and they’re shot in a different light than we’ve seen them through the male gaze,” said Sayej. “They’re not just objects of desire. I hope to raise awareness of all the women photographers who spend their lives behind the lens—often fighting for their spots on the red carpet, in Hollywood or on the streets of New York. Why are women photographers still overlooked in the entertainment industry?”
Nadja Sayej’s works feature unique, sporadic, in-the-moment shots that capture the essence of the modern-day paparazzi. Her photos are black-and-white shots of celebrities at galas, dinner parties, behind the scenes, and on the red carpet.
The art of paparazzi photography is more than the titles pop culture has attributed to it. “It’s more than just getting the money shot,” explains Sayej.
“I’m not actually a paparazzi photographer,” she says. “I’m a journalist who uses a paparazzi style to shoot celebs.”
But Sayej takes a different approach by capturing candid, unscripted moments, giving her photos a sense of authenticity and realism that sets them apart from the rest. Sayej’s photos also offer a fresh perspective on the lives of the celebrities she photographs, as she avoids the typical “object of desire” shots often seen in traditional paparazzi photography. She strives to capture genuine glances and behind-the-scenes moments that offer more insight into the lives of her subjects.
Nadja Sayej’s passion for photography is evident in her work, as she has spent years honing her skills and perfecting her craft. Her dedication and hard work have paid off, as she has become one of the most sought-after women photographers in the industry. With her ability to capture candid moments in a unique, artistic way, Sayej’s works are a must-see for anyone interested in the world of celebrity photography.
Sayej’s book is a must-read for culture fans, art fans, and celebrity and entertainment enthusiasts. Her unique style of paparazzi photography offers a fresh perspective on the lives of the celebrities who dominate our headlines. With her wit and quick reflexes, the author-artist is able to capture candid moments of celebrities in a way that other photographers cannot. Her book is a testament to her talent and the hard work she has put in over the years to make a name for herself in the industry.
About Nadja Sayej
Nadja Sayej is a New York-based writer, journalist, and photographer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. With a background in culture journalism, she has interviewed over 500 celebrities, from Salma Hayek to Susan Sarandon and David Lynch. Her work has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, Vanity Fair, VICE, and VOGUE, where she has covered celebrity news, music, film, TV, and more from a critical pop culture lens.
Sayej is the author of several books, including “Red Carpet Ho,” a collection of stories from the red carpet as a woman photographer, and “The Celebrity Interview Book.” Her latest book, “Paparazzi Bitch,” is her first photo book, and it was released in the 100th year of the first-ever film premiere red carpet, which was for Robin Hood at the Egyptian Theater in 1922.
Sayej’s writing is known for its hilarious commentary and unforgettable anecdotes from A-list celebrities, from Robert de Niro to Heidi Klum, all captured in poppy, entertaining detail. Her works give a fresh perspective on the lives of celebrities and offer a glimpse into the world of celebrity photography.
