There's an belief in some parts of the world that having a picture taken of you captures a part of your soul you can never get back.

Celebrity; the new stealer of souls, devourer of young aspirations and dreams. Ever notice how quickly the young guns fade into the ether these days, how quickly their souls seem to be eroded? So, are the paparazzi modern day vampires? I suspect many are parasites at the very least.

Some folk in the spotlight seem to wear thin somehow, whereas one of my great aunts who hated having her picture taken was one of the most vital, and iron willed people I've ever met.

I suspect that as with any argument you could find examples to support either side of the argumental coin. Talking of coins, well UK ones at least, the Queen herself may be a case in point as the old girl still seems pretty robust despite having her picture taken a few tines, and of course having it printed on coins, notes and stamps. 

Well done Brian, you've talked yourself out of that one in only a few lines.

I still find belief kinda interesting though, and people like Terry Pratchett have even made entire stories about it (Small Gods). But, to bring it back to the Queen (by marriage), there's even a Cargo Cult on one of the volcanic islands that idolises Prince Phillip.

There's no accounting for taste. Sometimes stuff is just weird...