The photographer who snapped paparazzo photos of Lisa Wilkinson dining at a hotel last week has returned fire following her criticism of him on social media.

‘Steve’ (surname not published)’ has penned an Open Letter to the Project host after she referred to him as a “creepy old man.”

“Let me introduce myself – I’m Steve – and I’m the ‘creepy old man’ who photographed you sipping margaritas during a quiet dinner alone the other day in Melbourne. Who would have thought ‘that’ would turn into ‘this’?” he wrote in the letter published at Michael Smith News.

“Let’s deal with the ‘creepy old man’ reference first. I’m actually 10 years younger than you are, so, Lisa, what does that make you? An ‘old old woman’? Of course not, and shame on anyone who refers to you as that because it’s degrading, sexist and downright offensive.”

In the piece he denies walking past her multiple times and refers to her private life on Instagram posts, her history as a magazine editor, and role on The Project asking celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Michael Buble about their private lives, but neglects to note those are on-the-record exchanges.

“It is just nonsense. Yes I make a living out of taking pictures. It’s the same celebrity / entertainment journalism that pays your $2 million a year salary. Our platforms might be different but our jobs are similar,” he concludes.

“So instead of the hypocrisy I think it’s time for some honesty -and perhaps even an apology. Sincerely Steve (aka creepy old man).”