The photographer who died trying to take a picture of Justin Bieber's white Ferrari should be mourned – not used as a symbol in celebrities' fight against paparazzi, said veteran paparazzo Frank Griffin.

"What's the difference between our guy who got killed under those circumstances and the war photographer who steps on a landmine in Afghanistan and blows himself to pieces because he wanted the photograph on the other side of road?" said Griffin, who co-owns the photo agency Griffin-Bauer.

"The only difference is the subject matter. One is a celebrity and the other is a battle. Both young men have left behind mothers and fathers grieving and there's no greater sadness in this world than parents who have to bury their children."

Trying to pass laws cracking down on paparazzi isn't going to help, Griffin said, because "you can't legislate against lives that are needlessly taken in the course of their employment."

He criticized pop star Bieber for encouraging laws that make his life "more comfortable and protected."

"He thinks he is a step above normal people and he has special rights because of his God-given talents. He believes he has the right to drive down Ventura Boulevard with impunity at 90 mph in his $280,000 sports car," Griffin said. "You have to have priorities. We should pass the laws that save lives not laws that make my life easier."