Public paparazzi site cleans up with baseball star snap

Self-proclaimed public paparazzi photo site the Snitcher Desk has completed its first front-page exclusive deal with a snap of a US baseball star.

Derek Jeter was photographed on holiday in Hawaii with girlfriend Vanessa Minnillo by a fan with a small digital camera. The Snitcher Desk negotiated a four-figure sum for the image on the cover of the New York Post and took a 20 per cent commission.

The agency denies that it is encouraging the public to act irresponsibly by offering a financial incentive for celebrity pictures.

"This is definitely the case for some paparazzi photographers, but again, I see our 'snitchers' as more opportunist photographers - if they see something happening that they think is newsworthy, there's no harm in taking a shot," said co-founder Jay Feeney.

'Opportunist' photographs do not present a threat to professionals, said Mr Feeney: "Professional photographers are for the most part briefed in advance for specific shots. There will always be a massive demand for organised professional work."

The poorer quality of non-professional images is not a problem when the subject is of interest, he said, adding that the standard of submissions has steadily improved since the agency was launched in August last year.

The public submit images by email or by uploading to the site, granting the Snitcher Desk exclusive sales rights for 120 days.

The pictures of Mr Jeter are expected to continue to generate royalties from sales to periodical titles.

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