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The first look at Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's baby pictures is going
to cost some lucky newspaper or magazine a
bundle -- but the money will go to charity.
The couple announced on Monday that they have agreed to let photo
agency Getty Images market
pictures of their newborn, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, with all
proceeds going to help the
less fortunate.
Experts said worldwide rights to the pictures could sell for anywhere
from $5 million to $7 million.
Shiloh was born on May 27 in a hospital in the southern African nation
of Namibia, where an army of paparazzi had descended hoping to capture
their own photos of the child.
In a joint statement, Pitt and Jolie said, "While we celebrate the joy
of the birth of our daughter, we recognize that 2 million babies born
every year in the developing world die on the first day of their lives.
These children can be saved, but only if governments around the world make
it a priority."
Getty Images spokeswoman Deb Trevino said, "These are highly
anticipated images, and they will be out there quickly."
Details of the licensing deal were not revealed and Trevino would not
say when the pictures were taken or how publication rights were being
offered to newspapers and magazines.
Marc Kurschner, a senior vice president of Wired Image, said that in
the last two to three years prices for exclusive photos of celebrity families have
gone through the roof.
He said celebrities would turn to an agency like his or Getty to take
the pictures and market them because they are seen as being celebrity
friendly.
Jonathan Klein, chief executive officer and co-founder of Getty Images,
said in a statement: "We are honored that the Jolie-Pitt family has
recognized our long-term commitment to these critical issues as well as
our ability to use the power of imagery to make a difference in the lives
of many."
Jolie, 30, who won an Oscar for her role in the 1999 movie "Girl,
Interrupted," is a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. High Commissioner for
Refugees.
She and Pitt, 42, also are the parents of two adopted children,
Cambodian-born son Maddox, 4, and daughter, Zahara, an Ethiopian native
who is about 15 months old.
Jolie, Pitt and Shiloh participated in a
private photo shoot recently.
The pictures taken at the shoot were purchased by Getty Images, which will
distribute them. Pitt and Jolie stated that the money earned from the
photos will be going to an undisclosed charity.
(Agencies)
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