Beyonce bans press photographers from her Mrs Carter Show tour

Beyonce has banned press photographers from her Mrs Carter Show World Tour in an apparent attempt to prevent the release of unflattering pictures. No photo credentials are to be granted for her concerts, her UK publicist has confirmed, and instead she's hired her own snapper, Frank Micelotta, to capture her in action - and her best angles. Fstoppers.com revealed Beyonce's company Parkwood Entertainment is only giving out three to five pre-approved images shot to media after the show.

The photography ban comes after it was widely reported back in February that the singer's publicist had asked agencies or websites to remove 'unflattering' photos of Beyonce during the energetic performance at the Super Bowl.

After publishing the shots, Beyoncé’s US publicist wrote to one website 'Respectfully asking' them to 'change' their article. 'I am certain you will be able to find some better photos,' she wrote.

However, bloggers fear that the move by the diva's camp may backfire, with publications and websites instead buying in pictures from fans and amateurs.

'They thought by not letting photographers in, they will have full control over the photos shown in the media,' F-Stoppers blogger Noam Galai writes. 'Huge mistake. Now not only is the mainstream media showing unflattering photos of her, they are showing bad-quality unflattering photos of her.'

Galai, a professional photographer, believes that 'unflattering' photographs published of the star at the Super Bowl were due to pressure to get snaps of the event out quickly with 'no time for much sorting or retouching.'

He adds: 'But in almost any other event, such as normal concerts, photographers have time to go through the images, get rid of the bad ones and send out the absolute best. Generally speaking, no one wants to post bad pictures. 

'Banning professional photographers from all shows is simply stupid. Beyoncé needs to use the media to her advantage, not fight it. Playing games with the media will cause more harm than good.'

Outlets with no official access have so far relied on paparazzi shots taken from far away.

An agency events photographer agreed, telling Mail Online: 'This is a mistake on her part on so many levels. Beyonce is going to get less press.

'And even though she can ban the professionals from events, she can't ban the amateurs or the public with camera phones. This is going to create a new generation of paparazzi and they can't get the shots that make her look good. 

'She wants control - she doesn't want to look bad,' the snapper added. 'But by doing this, she's opened the door to look worse.'

According to the Music Photographer's Facebook page, news outlets have instead been given a link to a website featuring shots from Amsterdam, Zagreb, Belgrade and Bratislava, all of which were taken by Frank Micelotta.