Notorious paparazzo Stephen Cook tells celebrities he's ‘feeding market they created’

Paparazzi Stephen Cook has lashed out at some of Sydney’s biggest names for their treatment of photographers.

ELTON John told him to f... off, Karl Stefanovic recognises him instantly and Samantha Army­tage tried to have him arrested.

In short, notorious paparazzo Stephen Cook is the man Sydney celebrities love to hate — the man who tracks them in his hunt for the best pictures. But today he’s hitting back at his critics.

Paparazzi photographer Stephen Cook.

In scathing comments to The Saturday Telegraph, Cook lashed out at some of Sydney’s biggest names for their treatment of photographers.

He singled out A Current ­Affair host Tracy Grimshaw and Sunrise co-host Samantha ­Armytage for their “ludicrous” treatment of paparazzi.

“At any time (they) can choose to give up the big money salary and return to a life of ­obscurity,” he said.

Wednesday: Cook was chasing Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough after the Logies.

“The celebrity was created by them. We’re feeding a market that they created.”

Cook, a former New Zealand Herald news editor and private investigator for a “high-profile lawyer”, has been making waves among Australian paparazzi for the past 2½ years.

He told the Telegraph how he spent his week — tracking down Grimshaw and Hugh Jackman on Monday, snapping Cate Blanchett, Tziporah Malkah and Karl Stefanovic and fiance Jasmine Yarbrough on Wednesday.

Tziporah Malkah is a frequent target.

Cook said photographers like him were unfairly maligned and provided a service for celebrities.

“I don’t go out looking for a confrontation,” he said.

“It’s probably the most difficult job I’ve ever had to do. Celebrities should be more concerned when we’re not there. That’s when you know your career is in trouble.”

Tracey Grimshaw has hit back by posting make-up free shots of herself on her Instagram feed.

Cook recounts one attempt by Grimshaw to take out an apprehended violence order against him, after a photo of her doing her grocery shopping appeared in a tabloid magazine.

“I’m the guy responsible for many of the candid, some would argue ‘unflattering’, photos of Tracy in the women’s magazines,” he said.

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“The Woman’s Day photo of Tracy on the ride-on mower outside her rural property was taken by me. I suspect she hated the picture.”

Cate Blanchett is popular with magazine readers. Picture: Getty Images

Grimshaw’s anxiety is not unfounded, however. About 10 years ago she faced a very real stalking threat before the perpetrator was arrested and charged.

The Cook-Grimshaw saga reached tipping point this week, when Grimshaw posted a makeup-free photo on Instagram, writing “Paps are in my street again so here’s a free shot of what they’re after …” That paparazzo was Cook.

Hugh Jackman is often snapped exercising on Bondi Beach. Picture: Matrix

He also criticised Armytage over accusations he “stalks” her. “I would photograph her no more than six times a year,” he said.

He recalled a time Armytage called police claiming paparazzi were flying a drone over her backyard. It turned out the drone belonged to a neighbour.

Cook said paparazzi would seek images if there was confrontation or not. “You’d be far better off just giving us a smile.”

Originally published as Notorious paparazzo Stephen Cook tells celebrities he's ‘feeding market they created’