The Money Shot...

When waiting around to shoot an event, it's a bad idea to experiment with different shooting modes and testing your auto/manual focusing skills as you may not be ready for the potential MONEY SHOT!! It's stressful and useless to try and compose yourself when the talent begins to show up on the Red Carpet as most photographers are hit with an extreme adrenaline rush trying to capture the image in the few moments before the celeb enters the event.Thankfully none of these had the potential to be the MONEY SHOT!! This is a Money shot:

According to the news, by midafternoon yesterday, X17 had sold the image about 100 times, to CNN, MSNBC and magazines, newspapers, TV outlets and Web sites, not only in the United States but in England, Australia, Sweden and Germany. In New York, the Post and the News each paid about $10,000 for the picture, he said, although smaller news organizations were not required to pay that much.

GRACIE breaks barriers

Reading Philly's gossip column, Dan Gross at lunchtime, I saw that Andrew Shue was in town to promote his new movie Gracie, which opens Friday June 1, between 12 & 1PM. As a recent habit I have been carrying my paparazzi camera to my day job just in case something like this popped up. I ran to City Sports, where the signing was being held, and flashed my agency issued "Press Pass" and was taken over to the PR person in charge. I had seen her at other events, and she is a very professional, no nonsense gal. She allowed me a few minutes with the stars and the following pictures are the results...I gave her my card, I hope I can get on her PR list instead of having to rely on the gossip columnist in Philly. Gracie, starring Carly Schroeder, is the story of a young pioneer for women playing soccer. "Carly didn't just audition,'' Andrew Shue said. "She made it clear. She came in and said, 'I'm doing this part, and I'll tell you why.'" The film opens June 1. Andrew Shue searched for years for the title star of Gracie. When a character is based on your sister, you tend to be picky. But Carly Schroeder could have saved him the trouble. "I had the script two years before they cast the movie," she said. "And as soon as I read it, I thought, 'This is the perfect girl part for me.' " By the time she was cast, she'd even grown to the character's age of 15. It's at that age that fictional Gracie tries joining an all-boys soccer team at a New Jersey high school in 1978.The same course was taken as a teen by Shue's sister, Oscar-nominated actress Elisabeth Shue (Leaving Las Vegas). Gracie, opening Friday, is inspired by her story, and also by the accidental death of their soccer-star brother William in 1986.Indeed, the film is a family affair. Alongside Dermot Mulroney as Gracie's father, Elisabeth plays her mother. Her husband, Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth), directed. He, Elisabeth and Andrew also served as producers, and Andrew played a soccer coach. (I hate when the flash blows out part of the poster, and this is the only one the publicist allowed me to take as she felt I had taken enough of their time as it was) An Indiana native, Schroeder moved with her family to Los Angeles when she was 6 and for the next five years played Serena Baldwin on daytime soaps General Hospital and Port Charles. She then joined Lizzie McGuire, starring Houston-born Hilary Duff. Thanks to Title IX initiatives — efforts to enforce federal gender-equality laws in education — and to Elisabeth "breaking down the barriers," her school soon formed its first girls soccer team.

A Beautiful Thing in Manhattan

Two things I never saw before occurred this weekend in Manhattan: Mike and I went to NYC Saturday for the weekend. We got a late start arriving at 2PM. We usually park in Chelsea on the street near where i used to live. Mike went to the gym. I was going to Central Park, but at the last minute I decided to get my haircut. The first place I tried was too busy, so I walked towards the subway and saw another place on 23rd Street. I went in, all 6 chairs were full, and I sat down behind the 5th one. That one turned out to be done first. I sat down, the guy who sat there before me, paid the cashier, then came back to tip the barber. OMG it was my very good friend Dan who I hadn't seen since 1996 when he moved to San Francisco (we lost track of each other in 2000) . What are the chances in all of NYC for all of these things to converge on the little barbershop on 23rd Street, in Chelsea, in NYC at 2PM on a holiday weekend Saturday, it was to say the least a very joyous reunion. We spent a bit of time catching up, and then had brunch the next day at Cafeteria, a restaurant I was never able to get into the entire time I was living in NYC as I always went too late.Then I went to Central Park Where the underpass near Bethesda Fountain was open after a 2 year restoration. It was a beautiful thing.

Support Our Troops, Question Authority

New York is where I will be this weekend, hanging with friends, chilling out and reminding myself how great it is to live in a country with so much freedom; I don't support this war or president, but I am grateful to our troops...

SCOOP ALERT: Oprah Pays Cash for all her Medical Procedures, other scoops** and behind the scenes at the Oprah Show

Thursday my sister was at a taping of the Oprah Winfrey show in Chicago (she gave me a phone report and will shoot me later for posting it on the blog). They arrived at 6:30AM for the 10AM taping. After waiting in line for an hour, people were called into the studio according to how they got their tickets. If you knew someone on the staff you were called in first, and so on all the way down to the doorman, janitor, driver and dog walker friends. If you were just one of the people who got their tickets through the email system and had waited 4 years on the wait list, well you were called last. She and her BFF love Oprah, and as a surprise birthday gift the husband got them tickets to the show, backstage tour and lunch at the Harpo Cafe. **My sister said the studio was much more intimate than it looked on TV, and that every seat seemed to have a good view. There were some silly rules about no chewing gum, yelling out, going to the bathroom or coughing. If for some reason you needed to cough, you were supposed to notify one of the ushers beforehand and they would bring you a cough drop, under no circumstances were you supposed to accidently cough without muffling the noise. Oh and the no bathroom thing, there was no drinking or eating permitted an hour before they let you into the studio, so that you didn't need to go to the bathroom. There would be no CUTS, or reshoots, and there weren't, they taped the entire show uninterupted. (Photo by my friend Nancy Kaszerman/ZUMA Press Oprah and Letterman 2005 [I love this photo])**Today's show (which was taped for a June 6th showing) featured Oprah's new book choice - The Road (Oprah's Book Club) (Paperback) and a taped interview with Cormac McCarthy (Author) from his New Mexico home. Then there was a live interview with Michael Moore about his new movie "Sicko" on the subject of the USA's healthcare system. In anticipation of the interview the audience members were given special screening passes to see the film the night before. They were also treated to popcorn and a soda. My sister says the movie is GREAT, which is a true endorsement since my dad was a doctor, my sister is a nurse, my other sister works as a drug rep and well frankly she's a Southern girl from North Carolina.After that Oprah presented more taped segments including what Oprah was going to do on her summer vacation. SURPRISE, she's going to Africa. **She then talked about the new Vanity Fair issue which will feature 20 different covers with celebrities that are making a difference in Africa. The guest editor for the issue is none other than Bono. My sister said Oprah looked a little tired, and I explained that Oprah was in NYC all weekend. Saturday night she went to see the Color Purple with friend, Jane Fonda to see Fantasia in the starring role; then on Sunday she was given an award by The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity Award at the Waldorf-Astoria on Sunday night. It was there that Oprah was asked about her father writing a book about her. According to the NY Daily News "I have a good relationship with him," Oprah told us Sunday, when she received the Elie Wiesel Foundation Humanitarian Award at the Waldorf. He would be the last person I would have thought would write a book about me! So it's understandable if Oprah looked a little tired today at the taping. There are no photos from the taping, as most everything is confiscated at the door, with strict instructions on no photograph taking. They loved the show, said the stage was much smaller than they imagined, and even though Oprah was only on for about 20 minutes, were delighted that during the commercial breaks O talks to the audience.**One of the things Oprah mentioned during the commercials is that she never goes by her real name when staying in hotels, going to the doctors or really anything that she doesn't want for public consuption (hmm would that be conversations with the audience during the commercial break?) To maintain her privacy Oprah travels under an alias (Although in NYC the paps know which hotel she stays at, see above for the shot I took of her leaving her hotel) Some of the alias' that Oprah has used in the past are Billie Jo McAllister (which pays homage to the girl who commits suicide in the Bobbie Gentry classic "Ode To Billie Joe" by jumping off a bridge.)and Billie Sue Cartwright (nothing on google, anyone?) **Furthermore, Oprah never uses her medical insurance anymore because once after getting blood tests done she later saw a screaming headline in a rag, she said, with the headline, "Oprah tests negative for AIDs" which also listed the blood tests she took and the results. NOW she only pays CASH for all her medical procedures. (above Oprah signs my Color Purple poster, someone else took this shot) Anyway, later the girls went on their backstage tour, again no camera's so we just get to enjoy the Oprah shots I have taken myself. **As they walked along the long hallways, they saw framed picture after framed picture of celebrities that have appeared on the Oprah Show. There were none of Tom Cruise famously jumping on the couch, but there was one of Aston Kutcher mimicking TC jumping on the couch. They also saw the two Green Rooms, which were really done in a muted gold wallpaper, with lovely Nate Berkus pillows and very soft couches. After touring the gym, a few offices and seeing the O car, the girls got to eat at the Oprah Cafeteria. To their delight they ate right near Dr. Oz, Michael Moore and Bob Green. (My sister mentioned that several of Oprah's cousins were dining right next to her. She didn't catch their first names, but said they were all guys in their 40s and their last name was Presley. After a little googling I came up with this on the Lisa Presley site: Oprah had a surprise for Lisa Marie. "Did you know my family were Presleys? We're like 18th cousins or something," she said. "My grandmother was a Presley."Lisa Marie was excited to confirm the familial relation. "She was? I read that in the tabloid but I wasn't sure that it was true," she said. "You're my family." [hmm more scoop Lisa Marie Presley reads the tabloids.]) There was no Oprah sighting at lunch, she was probably napping in time for this evening's Wrap Up party (the staff gets an 8 week paid break for the summer). My sister said the staff was very excited as every year Oprah gives them a nice gift and they know she has a big surprise for them again this year. If your around you can get the scoop as the party is at Morton's 1050 N. State St.Chicago, IL60610 between 6PM and 9PM

Cary Elwes in Georgia Rule co-starring Lindsay Lohan and Jane Fonda

His performance in Lady Jane led Director Rob Reiner to cast him in another leading role, this time as the stable boy turned hero Westley in the American comedy The Princess Bride, which required Elwes to do all of his own swordfighting and acrobatics. Elwes' breakthrough performance in The Princess Bride gained international acclaim and was his first major attempt at comedy. Prior to this film, he had no comedic experience, having only studied and worked in drama. I was a little shocked when I saw him on the Red Carpet that he didn't look like my prince from the Princess Bride anymore. I guess 20 years can change a person. Then I read his IMDB and saw that he's actually been in a lot of movies since the Princess Bride and I just didn't realize it was him: Elwes continued to appear in such popular movies as Bram Stoker's Dracula, The Crush, The Jungle Book, Twister, Liar Liar, Cradle Will Rock, The Cat's Meow and "Kiss the Girls". He did not appear in another blockbuster until 2004 in the horror/thriller Saw. He became a first time father on April 24, 2007 which was about two weeks before I shot this photo at the premiere.

Two Leggy Ladies in PhillyLand

FYE has been in town less than 7 months and they have been pumping out the concerts. Tonight was no exception as Joan Osborne gave a little concert to support her new CD, "Breakfast in Bed" What if GOD was one of US, just a slog like one of US? (and trust me my house is looking slobbish with all these events I've attended in the last few weeks.) Then I headed over to the local CBS station, where they had a party in celebration of their new studio. Katie Couric was the guest of honor for the night. This picture was taken 20 minutes after she did her broadcast from the Art Museum steps, and when she combed the damn bangs out of her eyes.

Jessica and John: The Bennifer of 2007

The MAC Gala is held annually the first Monday in May. Photographers line the steps of the Metropolitan Museum in NYC to capture the arrivals and departures. I arrived in NYC just in time for the departures. To the left is the line up of the photographers, in the center is security. Not since J-Lo and Ben Affleck were together have I seen such pandomania over a couple before, ok maybe Brangelina elicits such mania too.Jessica Simpson and John Mayer exited the event, but refused to stop to be photographed together as they departed. When they reached the bottom of the steps and went left towards their SUV it set off an amazing domino effect. The photographers at the bottom ran out to shoot them walking to their car, which in turn has every photographer on the line run out to get the same shot (imagine gazelles running from lions, or in this case lions running from gazelles), this action completly emtied the [photographers] pen. The PR Head tries in vain to get the paps to back off The cops try the same thing, the crowd shouts, "just one shot of both of you and we will leave you alone!" Someone in front of me took this shot of John asking Jessica what she wanted to do.

They attempt to locate the car, and determine how far up the block it is. John points to it, everyone in this shot has moved slightly, but Jessica is still a deer in the headlights They determine its too far and head back up the stairs, and eventually out a different exit. John holds his head, overwhelmed by the crush of photographers Jessica too and then they broke up a week later.

The Drama Desk Awards in New York City

When I first got into the City, I went to a Jerry Herman Tribute Concert at about 5PM, took several photos of broadway legends and stars, then at 6:30PM got a nice shot of 2007 talk of the town Broadway Star, Angela Lansbury. She was amazingly gracious signing for the 5 autograzzi's who handed her photo after photo (damn why didn't I bring my Opening Night Playbill). But I did get this great shot of her right before she went in. I was really surprised at how able bodied she was for someone that is 81. Well more on that event later this week since today's blog entry is about the Drama Desk Awards.

Tonight was the 52nd Annual Drama Desk Awards. Someone described it as the Golden Globes of the Tony's, and I would have to say they are right on the money. It was much more relaxed, less pretense and it you wanted a photo or autograph with your favorite Broadway star, it could be had. I attended both the pre-party and the Red Carpet Arrivals at the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall in New York City. I didn't try to get credentialed, meaning have my photo agency call and reserve a spot, but I still managed to get some fairly good shots.

Raul Esparza looking more dapper than anyone has the right too. I told him how I enjoyed him in Company, but held back on the OMG it's a bit depressing. Although to hear "Being Alive" in it's original setting was well worth the sadness of facing life alone, or in an unhappy marriage. Ashley Brown from Mary Poppins. OMG Loved her in Beauty and the Beast, love her in Mary Poppins, how ever did she achieve that accent.

And her Dick Van Dyke counter part, Gavin Lee as Bert, this British actor has been with Poppins since it premiered in Bristol, U.K. in Fall 2004, and his lovely wife, actress Emily Harvey. Christine Ebersole, who they say is a shoe in for a Tony for her portrayal of Edie Beale in Grey Gardens, another sad story. I don't know if you can see this, but TR Knight has a little lipstick on his check. He told me that homophobe Isaac Washington will only be back next season on Grey's Anatomy, if he agrees to become Dr. George O'Malley's lover, ok wisheful thinking, only kidding, we really didn't talk he ran out of the place so quick I could barely get a good picture. On to the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall for the ceremony and Red Carpet arrivals. I think when you have a big set-up camera, external flash and such, no one questions you when you make your way to the Red Carpet to find your place among the other photographers. First up is Kevin Spacey, who is enjoying his stay in NYC, but says there were a lot of crazy people who hung around the stage door in England.Bebe Neuwirth , she always seems cold. OK what does her dress look like?Donna Murphy tied with Audra McDonald for Best Actress in a Musical. I did have a quick chat with Audra telling her how I had seen her in Philly a month back, and she was fabulous. I didn't say to her how sad I was to hear her father died in an accident 2 weeks ago. Frank Langella. I remember him from the Dracula movie, Superman Returns (2006) and he dated Whoopi Goldberg. I am sure he is remembered by others differently. A little Hollywood comes to the Great White Way...the very pregnant star of King Kong, Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber, who was nominated for best actor in a play for Talk Radio. Thanks to my friend Sarah, who I met doing this blog, who was a big help tonight, again, with identifying people I would have no clue about. You can find those people on her site, I shared. Endless Pursuit of Entertainment/

A BIG THANKS AND HUG TO THE BLOGS THAT FEATURED ME THIS WEEK

STARTING WITH: http://cityrag.blogs.com/

http://cityrag.blogs.com/

http://cityrag.blogs.com/

Which then got me featured on

http://www.dlisted.com/

Then here:

http://www.tmz.com/

And finally http://www.hollywoodtuna.com/

I hope that some of the new 9,000 readers will continue to tune into to "Confessions of a Paparazzi" and follow my adventures as I navigate the waters of celebrity and event photography. (Eartha Kitt and Liza Minnelli hit Philly this week)I try to stay current, but I attend so many events that on occassion I run behind or I don't have time to do justice on the write up and I post something easy. (Last night two events, first I had some of this... and then I had some of that.Here's a preview for next week. I was sorry to hear that Jessica Simpson and John Mayer have called it quits, but am not surprised as she was too much drama for him, and what happened last week at the MAC Gala really magnified it. I was surprised no one wrote about what happened as the two tried to sneak out of the place without posing for the paps one last time. I was there and will give you the first hand account.

Faux Hawks out, Bangs In

I remember walking around NYC in 2005 and seeing this bizarre hairstyle, it was what I like to the worse bed head I have ever seen, but I later learned it was beginings of the latest hair trned now known as the Faux Hawk. Thankfully the Faux Hawk "Jumped the Shark" this year when Sanjaya featured it on American Idol.

The latest hair style trends sweep the globe slowly, which means that the life cycle is actually a few years from the birth of a new trend to the eventual fizzle. I have a feeling that this one is making a comeback. I took this bang up shot of Alicia Keyes arriving at "The Black Ball" presented by Conde Nast Media Group and hosted by Alicia Keys and Iman to benefit "Keep A Child Alive" at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City in November. Surprisingly enough not a lot of people liked this hairstlye on Alicia and I didn't see the photos publish nor duplicated for months.

Then Ms Rivers comes along at the Grammy's in February. At first I didn't know if it was purposely done as a style or to cover her latest surgery tracks. Finally last Monday at the Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Art Museum in New York City, I captured this beauty, Christina Ricci with her new set of bangs. Recently I found a website that follows all the hairy trends of celebrities so that we can all follow along at home: http://www.style-hair-magazine.com/

In Defense of Liza Minnelli

Tuesday Liza was in town for a charity fundraiser, what else the women is an icon and has helped raise a lot of money for many causes. I knew she would be arriving about 4 PM for rehearsal for the 7:30PM show, but you know I have a day job and well it pays the bills. I am now glad I wasn't there as I would have had a dilema. I heard she was wonderful to the fans signing things and chatting with them, but there was one photographer who took a few unflattering photos, which are now making there way around the web. My dilema would have been would I shop a photo that was excellent as far as a "Gotcha Moment" or would I have used my better sense not to mock a celebrity that I really care about. I would hope the latter would have won out. He on the otherhand sold a photo to the local newspaper, and then the others to SplashNews.com. They are now featured on Dlisted.com and I am sure by tomorrow it will be on oddles of other sites. Am I mocking her now by listed the blogs, or am I reporting news, I don't know what do you think? Last week when I was up in NYC shooting a few events, someone referred to me as the "Gentleman Paparazzi", defining me as someone who really respects the boundaries of celebrities and when they say no, well I don't take their photo. Although I was flattered, I realize I probably don't sell as many shots as they do. (Today my blog is featured on Dlisted.com and Cityrag.com for a more classier reason, thanks my friends for the recognition)

***Here's Liza after she performed at a Katrina Benefit on Broadway last year. It was the first shot I took of Liza after moving to NYC.

You have seen this one, I knew Liza would be at an event and I waited by the ashtray as I knew she would be jonesing for one at some point. Liza did her make-up in her car on her way to appear on the now cancelled Tony Danza Show Liza supporting her friend Ben Vereen at the premiere of his movie Idlewild And finally a shot you never saw, in December I was walking by a restaurant just as Liza came out. Me being the crazy Liza fan just had to ask for a shot, she also signed the 10th Anniversary Chicago CD that I was carrying around because I was planning to get someone elses 'graph. She was beyond willing and we shared a good chat about Philadelphia, Mike Douglas and the Phillies. I begged her to come and do a concert as I knew it had been a long time. She said she would soon. You might wonder did I attend the concert, no, the tickets were $750 and $250, I draw the line at $200 and besides I was counting on the advertised Red Carpet that never materialized!!

Anyway, I really hope she doesn't see those nasty photos that will remind her of her trip to Philadelphia and decide to stay away for another 18 years. Liza come back to Philly, don't make me fly out to the Luxor or drive to Jone's beach to see you this year!!

MICHAEL NUTTER WINS - Party Pictures

started out my afternoon by taking a walk to City HallIt was there I spotted Mike holding a Vote for Nutter banner, which he did for 3 hrs (Mike is on left, and smiling, cant you see him?) I arrive at what I knew would eventually be the VICTORY PARTY for Nutter.

I ran into a lot of old friends, new friends and my favorite Republicans - former Mayoral Candidate Sam Katz, and one of the best film makers around Tigre "Shame of a City" Hill. Tigre Hill is currently working on a documentary about the Daniel Faulker and oh I hate to say his name so I won't. Tigre also changed parties just to vote for Nutter, Katz probably didn't! Thanks to Tigre for taking me up to the VIP Nutter Party. Its there where the major donors, campaign staffers and friends hang out drink and eat for free. Unlike the worker bee/press area which is in the main staging area where I am normally relegated . Sure they feed us, but it is a cash bar and $4 for a bottle of water is outrageous. This is the shot as Nutter sees the filled to capacity ballroom of supporters cheering his name. (I really like this shot) Nutter hugs a supporter (Well I like this one too, look at the happy faces)Shakes a handhe is finally on the podium (Confessions: Sure I wish I had gotten better shots of him on the podium (like this one on the Inky site http://www.philly.com/philly/ ), but to get that shot I would have passed up the shots above which for me really tell the "Rest of the Story", the behind the scene shots. Then I would have had to fight my way to the front, and by this time it was almost 11 and about 120F in the room. I was happy with what I had gotten by this time) Congratulations !!!Mike says it's time to call it a night and he was right, as we got home about Midnight. He so balances my ying.

Today is Primary Day in Philadelphia - COAP Endorses Michael Nutter

Sen Dwight Evans - Please Stay in the Senate where you have more powerCongressman Bob Brady has it in for Knox. Please don't vote for either one of those slimy creatures. Some of my friends who know Brady, say his a nice guy, but is unrealistic on how things are done. Others who know Knox, say he's a bully, and when he doesn't get his way is known to throw TATRUMS. Philadelphia needs an adult to correct our problems. Someone went as far as hiring a plane to fly over the City attacking another candidateOn my way home from work, Chaka Fattah was at 15th and Market as one of his campaigners broke the law by taping signs to the light post. Isn't this against the law, I think it is Chaka. Vote for Michael Nutter, the best candidate. 2nd hand smoke is almost a thing of the past since his Bill was finally made into a law. Anyone who consistently speaks out against LOSER MAYOR STREET, has my vote. Michael Nutter, not part of the Democratic Machine, but his own man, his own Democrat - VOTE MICHAEL NUTTER for MAYOR!!

There's A Lot Of Competition Out There

Nicole Kidman on the Red Carpet. She is an A Lister and sells magazines. In fact most celebrity photographers will show up to photograph a women over a man any day of the week. Nowadays photographers use technology to get their photos out to their agencys so they can be shopped. Competition is fierce, but I am too lazy to carry my laptop on an assignment. So I may not get my photo pick up as much as the next person. Being a paparazzi isn't just about getting a good shot, its about being prepared, patient and willing to kick it up to the next level to get the shot to the public in a timely fashion. Last week I didn't asked to be credentialed at this Louis Vuitton event as I wanted to shoot an event earlier in the evening. It was a guy, a very popular guy, but because he doesn't sell magazines like the women, I was the only photographer there. And sadly as my pap friends told me, no one would be interested in the shot as there was a big fashion event going on in the City the same night. I went to that too and still got a decent shot of Scarlett Johanssen, variations of this shot sold. Most were full fashion length. Scarlett was paid $100ks just to walk the Red Carpet at Louis Vuitton as they knew they could get the press to promote their store opening if they had a high caliber celebrity show up. Poor Scarlett has a tan line. What was she thinking? Hello cover up make up anyone?

Selling Celebrity Photos is Very Competitive

Sometimes shooting something other than celebrities is much more satisfying to me

Philadelphia, Pa New York City Yosemite, Ca I was one of only three photographers who got a few shots of Lindsay at the After Party, but because one of the photographers company may have an agreement to market Lindsay Lohan shots, his shot sold and my shot can now be shared for free to the rest of the world. (OK well I did make it extra small so it is a little pixelated, maybe it will sell in the future)

Did Gloria Steinem miss the memo?

Everyone is going to wear white, and they are going to look forward at the same time!! Then this shot I took would have been awesome. *** Did you notice that the ladies are lined up according to age rt to lft, and their age is also reflected by their style; Lindsay strapless, fashionable dress with 20 year old cleavage tightly encased, Felicity spaghetti straps, and a 44 yr old, tasteful cleavage, with a slinky dress, ok maybe Jane isn't age appropriate, but at 69 she can get away with wearing this hot Barbella type shirt, which covers her arms and shoulders but accentuates her cleavage, and then there's Gloria, at 73 looking like a a cover-up granny, in her sweater set.

I'm Tired, I forgot how hard it was to be a Paparazzi

Sure I have been shooting celebrities for almost two years, but now that I am rep'd and have to submit my shots to an agency, I had no idea how much work goes into it. Here's Lindsay Lohan greeting her fans at last nights premiere of her new movie "Georgia Rules", and checking out how well the photo came out that was just taken. HughE's Schedule since Sunday night, NYC Angela Lansbury then back to Philly for bed 3AM, worked monday in Philly, then Monday night left for NYC again. 9PM arrived in NYC to cover departures of MAC Costume Ball, departures 10:30PM - 12AM; Prepped photos tile 3AM, woke up did morning shows, 3PM arrived at Zigfeld to stand in line for the place on the Red Carpet. 6:30PM MOVIE STARS ARRIVE; thinking about covering Amy Winehouse, but decide at 8PM go to Time Magazine 100 Red Carpet Event; 10PM go to After Party for Georgia Rules, score VIP Ticket for Party, get almost exclusive shot of LL in a different dress, with my pocket camera, eat for the first time that day, home by 1AM, sleep by 2AM, wake up at 5AM, train back to Philly 6AM, prep photos 8 - 11AM, blog 11:15AM, 11:30AM go to day job that pays the bills!! WHEW!!

I've run back up to NYC for a couple events

Tonight I will be shooting my first "Official" RED CARPET event in NEW YORK F'ing CITY!! But last night I attended the Costume Institute Annual Gala. It was a blast. I was not on the Red Carpet, but in the "Press Pen", but in the "Fan Pen". I think I had a unique position and I was able to get dozens of shots of some of the most beautiful women in the world starting with Rhianna. Misha Barton Some of the most handsome guys, Channing Tatum And some of the most sad and troubled train wrecks Lindsay Lohan That's it for now from New York City as I am busy getting ready for my first big "credentialed" event here. My next post will be Wednesday evening where I will fill you in on some of the "news" that happened during the Costume Ball.

A Busy Sunday for this Paparazzi

First I attended my nephews Baptism...in Wilmington DELAWARE. After lunch Mike and I headed for the Big Apple and an event I have been looking forward to shooting for about 6 months (before the baby was even born) Broadway was all aglow, especially on 45th Street where I headed for Terrence McNally’s "Deuce" which is a wisp of a play, more a conversation between two old friends than a full evening of theater. "DEUCE." Angela Lansbury and Marian Seldes star in the play about the reunion of two former doubles tennis champions.

MS Elaine Stritch. After I took the shot she said she knew it wasn't good and wanted to know if I wanted to take it again. I didn't want to bother her anymore and said no, but I should have because this isn't the best picture of her. Mary Louise Wilson from Grey Garden Did I mention it was a play about tennis: MS Billie Jean King (doesn't she know not to roll up the playbill, especially Opening Nights, those things are valuble, especially signed.It was a gay ole night at the opening, Nathan Lane and Barney Frank. Standing to BF's left was Victor Garber, but I didn't get him in the shot. The crowd at the stage door. (when stage dooring it, I always find that the area closest to the front doors are the most crowded. I go on the opposite side) And as you see I am in the front row on the otherside. Here Angela makes her exit... straight to the car, explaining it's Opening Night she's got a party to go to. Thankfully by this time I had run into my fellow blogger Sarah, who had seen the play and knew where the afterparty was. I ran the block over to Sardi's and wallah after about 5 minutes Angela's car arrived and I got a few shows. She signed for one fan who said he had come over from England (he had the accent, but didn't seem like he had been dressed to go to the play) Marian Seldes walked herself over from the Music Box. I approached her and asked her if I could get a photo, and she said as many as you want to take my sweet young man. Have I mentioned what a class act she is and tonight she looked amazing. Check out Sarah's page for more photos as I email them to her for a more insightful write up. I wish I had teamed up with her last year as she knows the players much better than I. http://www.sarahbsadventures.blogspot.com/ ***The legendary songstress Barbara Cook, who I finally had the chance to gush to about seeing her on stage in Philadelphia with Audra McDonald in February. She asked if she was good and I just about tripped over all my adjectives to describe the performance. Next to her is my friend Sarah, whom I never had met before and who came up to me to ask are you HughE from Confessions of a Paparazzi? Both women look very classy after attending the theater, the way people used to dress to attend. It was fantastic meeting both. http://www.sarahbsadventures.blogspot.com/

Just a Tease...

Confessions of a Paparazzi has returned from a week of events in NYC and will begin again with photos on Monday May 8, 2007. At that time you will see who owns this bunny necklace.

The Mike and Juliet Show

I just got back from the Mike and Juliet show where I saw a few people, but more imporantly have gather a handful of stories to tell in the coming posts. As I was hanging around after the show, chatting with Simon and a few friends, I was approached for a segment that will be screened on Monday. They asked me three questions regarding relationships and exes. Straight off the bat I answered with a funny response and they were clapping and laughing, but then it went all down hill from there as I got stage fright - look at the interviewer, be clever, how does my hair look, OH I HATE TO GET MY PHOTO TAKEN, I am the photographer!! The 2nd and 3rd responses were textbook concise, but not as funny. But hey thinking about it later I thought of better answers, but figured they were on to their next interviewees and I didn't bother. The show is on FOX, I know but 15 minutes of fame, is 15 minutes of fame - LOL, anyway Monday 9AM. Today I am taking it a bit more easy, I am exhausted, I forgot how hard it was to chase celebrities for an entire day. But I did see 7 celebs by 10AM today, plan to catch two more at lunch, then lunch with Simon and Katie, then home to an event in Philly tonight, Saturday hang with Mike, Sunday family thing, then back to NYC for 3 days of events and content for the blog. Thanks for your readership, I will post a few things this weekend.

I forgot the sacrifice one must make to get their shots in

oh my body hurts, its been five months since I really did celebrity sightseeing. OK here's what I did today 8AM - CBS Morning Show - Drew Barrymore - Scored, 8:45AM; Ran to GMA just missed Kate Walsh, but caught Marcia Cross coming in to do a pre-tape as she was originally scheduled to appear but was bumped for Kate Walsh. Got an alright shot of MC. At 9:30AM ran to Regis & Kelly, got a good shot of Kate Walsh leaving, plus Eric Bana, Kelly Ripa and Regis. Then a nice walk through Central Park with a few friends. At noon went to one of my favorite soap operas and got a good amount of photos. Simon went to Hawaiian Tropics and met the current Playmate who signed and posed for photos, I chose to skip that event. We then ran to Letterman at 5PM but found out that he did an early taping at 3PM, so we went to the 92nd Synagogage to catch someone that I really admire, really awesome get. Then to 57th and 5th Ave for a Loius Vutton store opening and got just the best shot of a little lady that was dubbed the "It Girl" in 2006 by Woody Allen of all people. Then went to the afterparty of a movie starring Mia Farrow, Zach Braff and Amanda Peet, Amanda wasnt there as she went home to attend to the baby, personally I didnt realize she had delivered the kid already. Next it was 11PM, I was in so much pain, and my friends were ribbing me that I was out of shape, I used to have the most stamina, ok I probably did do more than most of them today, but OMG my legs and back were so pained that I almost didnt make it to the Color Purple to get an autograph and photo from Fantasia.

Confessions of a Celebrity Stalker

AN earlier title for my blog used to be that because that is basically what we in this biz are doing, although not in a scary way that it seems to be. OK its 7:33AM and I am waiting for my friend to get ready. We are going to go to the Early Show to hopefully catch Drew Barrymore leave. CBS is an easy place to catch people as the celebs have to walk to their cars about 20 feet from the door. Now please be aware, this is not giving real "stalkers" any info that isn't out there nor should anyone expect the celebrity to be alone, they all travel with an entourage and more importantly, they have huge bodyguards. When going to an event like this all I want to, or what most people want is an autograph, a picture with or like me a decent picture of them that you might see in People, US or some other glossy that is selling like hotcakes now. What would be great is if Drew decided to forget her underwear and had just done a brazillian and for me to be able to capture that shot.....later its on to Regis and Kelly for Kate Walsh and some other guy who's in the Drew Barrymore movie. I know its someone big, I just cant recall at the moment. You see they are in town to promote their movie, and all week long they will hit the talk show circuits to get out the word as much as possible. And DREW will want to be photographed as that will help the movie just as much as these TV appearances.

It's A Full Moon, It's A Wierd Time For Me and

I have spontaneously returned to NYC for four days to get a celebrity fix. Stay tune next week to see who I saw, what occurred when I saw them, and Confessions of a Paparazzi. (Today is three years since my dad died in an accident, so I like to do something a little crazy to get through this day; Last year I followed Tom Cruise throughout NYC and was featured on Gawker for the first time - see the archives for the photos under May 2006) * ****DREW BARRYMORE INFO HERE Ok I have been here for 3 hrs and these are the stories my friends have told me so far. When Drew Barrymore arrived at the stage door of David Letterman, she was bitchy and ran in ignoring the fans and paparazzi. Then when she left she posed and signed for the fans. As if that wasn't enough she got in her car and left with the paparazzi in hot pursuit. As the paparazzi were taking lights (going through them), Drew's car sped up. Finally she pulled over, and the next thing the cops are there on the scene. Drew was then able to take off with no paparazzi's in pursuit. An hour later my man on the street got a call. Drew was eating dinner at Buddukan in the Meatpacking District. A few people ran over there. As Drew was leaving she said, OK I will pose for a few shots, if you promise to leave me alone. (She should have defined how long alone was). And that was that.

About 45 miles south of Miami you will find Route 1 or the Overseas Highway, which will lead you to the tip of the Keys and Key West. It's only 90 Miles from Cuba. It's the US of A's Carribean Island.The buck stops here; It's the End of the RoadDuvall Street the main shopping drag Roosters run amouk the other mainstreets feature homes that could be in House & Garden Mallory Square. Several years back before Hurricane Wilma & Charlie, this was a wooden pier Some people still need FEMA's help

Other homes are just boarded and abandoned, or have open as Adult Entertainment centers like the house on the leftKey West Back Alley Fan Tail Beware of Dog, but friendly cat lives hereHmm the Southernmost point now has statues that flank it. Can you tell which are the real people?At the end of the day, there is always a beautiful sunset When I flew down to Florida, it was the first time I flew on Southwest. The trip was smooth and the flight was 30 minutes early, which was nice but also cut short my conversation with my seatmates youngins' Broccoli and Allie. By coincidence they were travelling to the same little resort I was going to - Key Colony Beach - about 2.5 hrs south of FLL airport. Allie and I both live on Fairmount Ave about 10 blocks apart, in Philly. Brockleigh is in a band, and my office mate is in a band. He has a Nikon, I have a Nikon; oh there were endless similarities. Check out their web page for photos of their trip where you will see that they no doubt had an awesome time.

http://www.brockleigh.com/