CONFESSIONS OF A PAPARAZZI etc

I NOW POST EVERYTHING ON MY PHILLYCHITCHAT.COM BLOG

2009-08-27T09:06:00.001-04:00

I NOW POST EVERYTHING ON MY WWW.PHILLYCHITCHAT.COM BLOG

LADY GAGA in PHILADELPHIA CONCERT PHOTOS

2009-05-03T11:13:00.003-04:00

I don't know why Google didn't pick up PhillyChitChat 's coverage of Lady Gaga's stop in Philly before she went to NYC. Here's the story : www.PhillyChitChat.com

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES PARADE PHOTOS

2008-10-31T13:47:00.005-04:00

Check out www.PhillyChitChat.com for the rest of the photos..

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES WORLD SERIES PARADE INFORMATION

2008-10-31T00:22:00.003-04:00

CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.PHILLYCHITCHAT.COM for some reason the Philly site has been having trouble with google searches... Happy Halloween. Now play nicely!!

JONAS BROTHERS PHILADELPHIA VISIT

2008-08-28T10:56:00.001-04:00

Check it out on Philly Chit Chat http://www.phillychitchat.com/2008/08/jonas-brothers-invade-philadelphia-re.html

CONFESSIONS OF A PAPARAZZI COMES TO AN END re: please visit me at www.PhillyChitChat.com cause that's where I will be

2008-08-02T01:21:00.007-04:00

Things are great in Philly, I am really doing things and getting recognition and creating something that no one else is doing. I am a one man media machine. I have a popular blog, my photos are posted weekly in the local major paper, occasionally in the other local paper, in the weekly papers, in magazines and on websites. For example yesterday I received 1400 unique hits on Philly Chit Chat for two stories I wrote about this week - The Philly Soul Parade details, and Philly Magazine Best of Party; Thursday, I photographed 3 events, I credentialed myself at all three events, meaning, I am Philly Chit Chat .com and they want me to cover their event for my blog, as icing on the cake, all three events produced photos that will be published in the paper in the next 4 days (I never tell people that there's a possibility, and I never tell them that they will be published just in case they are bumped for some reason), 2 events will be in magazines, all the event photos were accepted by my agency WENN for possible pick up somewhere, maybe just a blog, but ya know its all good, it's all PR, that is the name of the game. (The Spencers, The Mayor Chef Eric Ripert and wife, Sandra Ripert) So the bad news is, I will be ending this blog. I am turning my focus towards Philly and the promotion I can do for the City through my photography.I'm not saying I won't ever return to NYC, as I have my favorite events NY Fashion Week, the Film Festivals, Tony Awards and the occassional red carpet premieres, ....So for now catch me at www.PhillyChitChat.com where I basically do the same thing but on a local level, but ask "Can I take your photo for Philly Chit Chat, Philly's Social Diary?"; Philly is happening, and I want to capture it all.

I hope you will join me over at did I mention Philly Chit Chat dot Com. And thank you so very, very, very, very much for all your support these past few years. You helped me find my footing and develop my mission for my future. XOXO's - HughE

John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, telling the Autograzzi - "I'm Gonna Sign until My Fucking Signature is Worthless"

2008-06-25T00:04:00.001-04:00

In recent months I have been focusing on celebrity event shooting, but when I was a "Fan Paparazzi" I used to have to wait until the exits at an event or After Party to photograph my subjects, sometimes I miss doing this, hanging with my "fan" friends, a few of my paparazzi friends, this is a great time to really talk about the war stories of the celebrity business. Last week I schedule my jaunt to NYC purposely so I could hang out with a few of my "photo with" and "autograzzi" friends. Since I left the business has grown tremendously, with at least two dozen new faces out in the field. Every year the "Songwriters Hall of Fame" is held at the Marriott Marquis. Most of the people in this picture are there for 'graphs or "photos with". The peps to the left are checking out who is coming down the escalators and to leave. Last Thursday one of the honorees was John Rzeznik from the Goo Goo Dolls

As John Rzeznik exited the hotel a feeding frenzy of sorts took over with the autograzzi jostling each other to get his signature on a CD, a guitar pick guard, a photo etc., while the photo with people try and get a shot "with" here are some of the folks getting the guitar guards signed Since I left, I see this family has started a business, here's a mom digging guitar guards out of a bag, at 1AM last Thursday, to give to her hmm what 10 year old to get signed (Dad's getting things signed too.) This is about the time that John Rzeznik gleefully states, give them to me, "I am going to sign every fucking one so none of you bastards make a dime off of me." He signed, and signed and signed for a good 15 minutes, until finally he broke free from the frenzied crowd. (did you ever see "Suddenly Last Summer", well in the last scene where Sebastian gets devoured by the boys cash grabbing boys, this is what this scenario reminds me. It was disgusting, and shocking to see. (I guess both obtaining 'graphs and doing paparazzi work isn't very pretty as we try and satisfy the demand for the paying public) and no worse for the wear John Rzeznik and his beautiful girlfriend were off Here's a link to the speech he gave that night at the "Songwriters Hall of Fame"

IDINA MENZEL & TAYE DIGGS 2008 TONY AWARDS RED CARPET PHOTOS: Unlimited Together we're unlimited Together we'll be the greatest team

2008-06-18T01:51:00.010-04:00

the moment you walked in the room and laid your eyes on me. and then i knew it, i knew you were the one meant for me - Confession: This is called the Two Shot, not sold as much as the fashion shot and we are talking about women and fashion. Women are the majority when it comes to buying the glossies and they want to see fashion. So and they want to see it all, vertically, the fashion shotand it must be a little emasculating for the men to have to step aside. I really felt for Taye here. I was trying to call him to get his fashion shot or even a good head shot but he kept making faces like this serious one.

I have shot Idina before and sometimes she does this irritating doe in headlights stare. Gurl just relax, we love you and want to do good by you, but stop with this face. Hey I hear your new CD drops soon and you will be playing the Borgata in Atlantic City next week. (Which by the way is the same week as the opening for: The Water Club– a signature hotel by Borgata. This luxurious property will introduce a new brand of hospitality to Atlantic City, offering a unique personality of its own, while just steps away from the entertainment, nightlife, and dining of Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa. The 43-story, $400 million hotel will feature 800 upgraded guestrooms and suites; a two-story 'spa in the sky,' 18,000 square feet of meeting space; three Residences modeled after chic, urban lofts; five heated pools -indoor and outdoor, each offering a distinct experience; and six retail shops, while offering direct access to and from Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa.) http://www.idinamenzel.com/tours/5582Ok I have no idea why Taye turned his back, maybe it was the flashes, maybe thats why you sometimes have that doe look stare, you are forcing your eyes to bear the brunt. but look at the final product it doesn't exude your beauty or spirit. So please, please Idina practice, have Taye photograph you at home. Your talent will take you far, but your beauty and talent will take you even further, but you have to give us good face!! now theres the photo I would want, look at that smile Girl you are working that necklace. It must have been taped into place, it did not move, it was kicking it in place.

Check out this happy face when Idina greets her friend Laura Benanti who later went on to win a TONY Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical "Gypsy"

why can't you give us a smile like this all the time, well maybe not so much teeth, but they are teeth to die for How about a shot like this after Taye asked one of the photographers to take your pictures. Unlimited Together we're unlimited Together we'll be the greatest team bye byeback to my stepford wife pose, which is entirely too serious Youtube of the meeting between Idina and Laura, I shot the photos with my other hand. The Original Cast Members of RENT The Water Club, A Signature Hotel by Borgata (I was invited to cover the opening and see Idina's concert, but I can't make it. I wish you well Idina)

http://www.theborgata.com/Main.cfm?Category_1=17000&Category_2=17007

TONY AWARDS 2008 PHOTOS re: bloopers, Publicists, Confessions on the Red Carpet

2008-06-17T00:17:00.019-04:00

First I just want to say that it is not lost on me how fortunate I have been in my celebrity photography career since I first started shooting professionally 18 months ago; and before that I spent 18 months as a "Fan" shooting celebs with my pocket camera. That being said, I shot the Tony Awards Sunday, a dream come true for me, a big Broadway fan and fan of many of the actors, and just the tradition of a live show. It's a big deal.

Photography check in was at 4PM, but I thought I would pass by about 2PM because I am anal and have to see how the set up is. It had rained about 30 minutes before and the workers were using squeegees to get the water off the carpet. I was wondering how they were going to get it dry for all those flowing gowns. Then they broke out the wet vacs There were already fans in line for the event, and they were experienced as they knew where the car drop off was and that to the immediate right of me is the entrance to Rockefeller Center and the Tony Award Press Room. So the winner would exit the door across the street then go into the door to my right. It was a perfect spot to get a picture, and for a couple years that where I liked to stand.

On to the red carpet. I am not going to show you the photos that you probably already saw, I want to show you the photos that you probably didn't see. Here Kevin Mazur of Wireimage gets a shot from the red carpet of CBS CEO Les Moonves and (Big Brother) Julie Chen. I don't know who the photographer is behind him, but these two get the free reign of the carpet and usually the best shots. They would be considered the AA List photographers. Being a paparazzi I love these unscripted moments when two actors greet each other and have a geniune moment. Here is Michael Cerveris, musician Harry Connick Jr. and daughter Georgia. Most red carpet events do not have so many people on them at once. The PR people and publicist move the people along at a good pace, but you usually don't have people standing behind the people you want to photograph. It seems the VIP and their guests used the same door. Here's Brooke Shields publicist gently trying to pull her towards the next set of photographers for a photo. The publicist/PR of each celebrity, is also supposed to introduce the subject to the photographers, in this case it wasn't necessary. At this event the PR for the Tony's gave us Tip Sheets with the names and photos of most of the people who were to walk the red carpet.The publicists wear many hats, most importantly to help their client navigate the red carpet of hazards and pitfalls. Now this pitfall probably doesn't happen every day, but because it had rained, the red tape used to fuse the carpets together wasn't sticky enough to stay put. This guy is retaping it as Anthony Rapp (Rent) cools his heels. Across the street the fans were out in full force; every year more and more people show up, but this year they are probably here for one guy who will be appearing on Broadway this fall. And thankfully for me I don't have to kill myself trying to shoot him there as I got him tonight. Here Daniel Radcliff is with his publicist who is keeping a close eye on the crowd and his time. He is just about in the same spot I was standing when I was checking out the scene earlier in the day. I was quite irritated that the bodyguard on his right didn't move out of the way a tad. Had I gotten a clear shot his Daniel's face and the crowd, it would have been the "Money Shot" and here he is on the red carpet. It was interesting to see how they cleared it for him Note his publicist gently pushing him down the carpet for the next shot. In the background is Taye Diggs. I will be doing a piece on he and Idina on Wednesday and confess what is like to be married to a beautiful women as he is.During events like the Tony's, Oscars, Grammys etc a photographer will run through 3 or 4 memory cards. Getty Images has a person on site to hold the cards, the batteries, and extra stuff so when the photographer needs something they can call to the person who was standing behind me. Oh no tragedy. The red tape might not be sticky enough to hold the red carpet together, but it's doing a good job with Kelli O'Hara's chiffon dress

A good publicist knows how to cut through the red tape and get on with it Here Publicist Noah navigate's his clients against the stream of people to get the photo op that they missed in the commotion. The photographers are packed in like sardines to get their photos. Note the girl in the blue tafeta dress squeeze under and between the guys to get the shot she wants. She is actually standing in the place where my ladder is located. I shoot behind these guys in the "window", which is the spot where she is standing, but high up on the ladder. Shooting between the two guys shoulder is called the window.

Sometimes the shots come out great, sometime I have to crop their camera's out of my shot. These kids are going to be in the new Elton John Broadway show "Billy Elliott". In this case it would have been helpful if the PR gave us their names as not only weren't they introduced or on the tip list.Project Runway Winner Christian Siriano gets fanned by his publicist so he can face the photographers. Christian Siriano and his friend who's a boy, standing right in the damn photo The ultimate shot, double dipping for me as I shot Liza Minnelli at the begining of the red carpet, but just needed to get a few more photos of her. Do you see her publicist to the left doing the universal sign of "Stop" Liza has to do interviews now. Liza ignored her and continued to allow the snappers to shoot her. (And check out Todays Idina and Taye on the red carpet http://hughe2030.blogspot.com/2008/06/idina-menzel-taye-diggs-2008-tony.html ) Check out http://www.phillychitchat.com/ for more Liza photos and commentary. (EDITOR UPDATE: this is a great site for what went on backstage: http://moviesandentertainmentinfos.blogspot.com/2008/06/vulture-goes-backstage-at-tony-awards.html also I will be posting video from the red carpet sometime this week.) And don't forget to check out my favorite Broadway site by my friend Sarah, has a pretty impressive site herself, including behind the scene photos of many events you want to know about: Endless Pursuit of Entertainment/ and one more thing: http://steveonbroadway.blogspot.com/ Great shots by Walter McBride on Broadway World of Patti looking at her Tony: http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=28977

SARAH JESSICA PARKER SEX AND THE CITY PREMIERE "PINK" CARPET ARRIVAL ELLE MAGAZINE ONLINE

2008-05-31T14:41:00.002-04:00

My first time in ELLE Magazine Online. I love that I got the whole dress in, but hate that I didn't bend over a little bit more so it doesn't seem like I am standing on a ladder like I am.

Of course I am as sick as a dog again burning the candle at both ends, but I will rest today as I am on my way to NYC tomorrow to catch a few stars on parade. Thanks for putting me over the 200,000 mark in only 2 years 3 months, even though I have been slacking off on Confessions, but remember to check out http://www.phillychitchat.com/ as I will be posting there and also let me let you in on a site that is about a NYC working photographer that writes her blog and experiences with celebrities just like mine. http://debralrothenbergphotography.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Hudson visits The Beat 100.3 in Philadelphia to promote Sex and the City and her new CD

2008-05-30T10:48:00.000-04:00

www.PhillyChitChat.com

LOCAL NEWS DOES STORY ON CONFESSIONS OF A PAPARAZZI: ME

2008-05-22T08:48:00.009-04:00

See photos and youtube video of the interview at http://www.phillychitchat.com/ Demi has left Philadelphia and is in Romania filming her next movie. Jennifer finishes up filming this weekend and is then onto a romantic weekend with John Mayer at a non-disclosed location. I read that her last guy Vince Vaughn warned her that John was just using her to make a name for himself; that is how out of touch the one movie wonder Vaughn is, as John Mayer already dated Jessica Simpson, the tabloid queen who is by far more photographed then Jen. UPDATE: BUZZ FOTOS has the shot of John Mayer buying a camera for his secret rendezvous with Jen this weeknd. http://www.buzzfoto.com/?p=3511

JENNIFER ANISTON MARLEY & ME PHOTOS (& video) FROM WEST CHESTER GAY STREET FILM SET

2008-05-21T08:53:00.002-04:00

I was reading my favorite Jennifer Aniston fan site yesterday, http://www.anistoncenter.com/ and came across the photos below that put this paparazzi to shame. Seems roxygr1223 did a kick ass job in capturing alot of shots that would whet anyone's Aniston appetite. So check out:

http://www.anistoncenter.com/jacf/viewtopic.php?t=4341&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=405

I drove to the town on Sunday and took a few photos too. I spoke to a photographer from Buzz Photo, Justin Campbell, who was on the scene for the shooting last night. He said it was crazy and the police basically had the town on lockdown.

He didn't know how the filming was even completed as there were at least 200 fans screaming for Jennifer's attention at any moment. When Jen drove by she would wave from the inside of her SUV, but sadly never opened her window to the cold and damp folks.

Confessions should have a few photos from Justin sometime today as he was somewhat close having paid various residents money to hang out their windows above the film set to shoot. Seems they didn't evacuate the neighborhood, just secured the street level of pedestrians and cars. Rumor is Jen will be back in the coming weeks to complete filming on this street, but in the meantime will be somewhere in the countryside filming interior shots.

Amazing video from chewbaccagirl

Grand Opening of Chef Eric Ripert 's 10 Arts Restaurant in Philadelphia, Pa

2008-05-20T14:34:00.003-04:00

See the coverage at: www.PhillyChitChat.com and see "About Last Night"...

Photo: Jennifer Aniston Bodyguard body check photographer Marley & Me

2008-05-19T00:28:00.003-04:00

http://blogs.phillynews.com/inquirer/foodanddrinq/2008/05/the_one_where_jennifer_aniston_2.html

This was a tough shot to get as her bodyguards roughed me up a bit, grabbing my camera lens and trying to twist it to break it. Three bodyguards Jen, you would think that you would want your photo taken considering Angelina is having twins and is all over the press. Furthermore, Demi walks around Philly without bodyguards and you need three just to block photos and rough up lone photographer who was polite enough to ask for the photo. What's up with that? (I have sold the photos of the beat down, so I can't post them here).. UPDATE: it further irritates me that People Online posted a glowing tidbit on how wonderful jen was to the waitress' at El Vez and then they used a photo of Jen from the week before dining at the Waverly - UGG how misleading. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20201183,00.html UPDATE: SEE ME ON THE LOCAL NEWS BEING INTERVIEWED ABOUT BEING A PAPARAZZI IN PHILADELPHIA http://www.phillychitchat.com/ under Thursday.

Catch up with my life at Philly Chit Chat Marley & Me Owen Wilson Photos Philadelphia

2008-05-16T11:30:00.002-04:00

www.PhillyChitChat.com where I covered Marley & Me Owen Wilson and Eric Dane in Photos this week. I will return to Confessions sometime next week, but I do confess a bit on Philly Chit Chat. Thanks HughE

DEMI MOORE IN PHILADELPHIA - PEOPLE MAGAZINE MAY 13, 2008

2008-05-13T23:48:00.001-04:00

How excited am I that a photo I took of Demi Moore in Philadelphia, Pa last week, ended up in People Magazine Online today. It was accompanied by a story about Demi, Ashton and family eating at the Continental Restaurant. I knew about this meal, but it was Mother's Day and I just couldn't do it, plus I did make that promise to Demi that I would never shoot her again for the rest of her stay, and that to me includes the kids. As the other paparazzo is moving to NYC soon, it will be up to me to capture these moments. Tonight I was waiting for Jennifer Anniston, but she didn't check in yet, and now from the story at the top I see she's in Orlando with John Mayer. Brrr it was cold out there on the sidewalk.

PATTI LABELLE, DIANA ROSS, CHAKA KHAN AND GLADYS KNIGHT "DIVA'S WITH A HEART" concert

2008-05-13T02:13:00.003-04:00

As we got into position to shoot from "The Right Side Of the House, we started to walk down the ailse on the right side of RCMH. I heard Patti bring to the stage the Bluebelle's, Sarah Dash and Non Hendryx ("Keep it Confidential" baby). They went into "Lady Marmalade". Afterwards Labelle announced that she and and former groupmates have returned to the studio to work on a new album and will be touring this summer. (They have turned to a combination of old and new to help them mastermind their return to the charts; Philadelphia soul pioneers Gamble + Huff and rocker Lenny Kravitz) (So I am a little less pissed off at Miss Ross at this moment, because I wouldn't have been able to sneak this photo from the back of the house) To find out the rest of the story.... www.PhillyChitChat.com as some of you know I mentioned recently that I would be phasing out this blog at some point. Although that might not happen today, I will be cutting back on it. I am really concentrating on my Philly Blog, and will be spending a lot more time in Philly. I have big plans in the works and the readership for my Philly Blog had tripled in the last few months, and well I live in Philly and want to do with Philly what I did on a national level with Confessions. SO if I shoot a celebrity in Philly, or a Philly celebrity, well I will be putting them in Philly Chit Chat. I still do have confessions but not today, or probably this week, I have gigs every night here on out, and as it is, it's 2:30AM now. Bed time.

RUMOR HAS IT THAT JIMMY FALLON IS GOING TO REPLACE CONAN O'BRIEN when

2008-05-12T02:24:00.002-04:00

Conan goes to LA to replace Jay Leno on the Tonight Show. I shot both of these a week ago. Conan outside of the Caryle Hotel about 9PM Jimmy Fallon at Butter, when leaving George Clooney's birthday party. Jimmy is funny as hell. Conan a little quirky, but funny. Thank god someone will still be using that studio and their will be stars to shoot as they exit.

The announcement should come today at the NBC presentation to the advertisers in NYC. I won't be there, it'll be a monsoon.

CLAY AIKEN SIGNING LAST NIGHT PERFORMANCE NEW YORK CITY SPAMALOT STAGE DOOR photos

2008-05-09T00:01:00.004-04:00

I heard the crowds were enormous, but even I was stunned by how many Claymates were at the stage door of Spamalot. I believe Clay felt the love, and probably saved Spamalot, which has had a very healthy run on Broadway for about 5 years, but seems to be sputtering out.

And out of the gate he came, signing at a ferocious speed, making all the girls, and a few boys hearts flutter. I wish Clay looked up, but he was concentrating on signing all those playbills in the front row.In a recent interview Clay stated that he would rather hang around with his dogs then go to a bar and talk to strangers (hmm what about the internet Clay?) What about one of these adoring fans?

He also mentioned to New York Magazine that he thinks he has no sexual urges. (What kind of nonsense is that? I think that costume is messing with him. Someone get that boy a Viagra and a jager. (NY MAG))

Occasionally he would get 2nd or 3rd row, but most folks just had to make due with a glimpse of Clay. I wish I had a video, as the orgasmic screams of the mostly women and a few smattering of men, was deafening. with just a few minutes of signing it was over. Clay loves us and he it's back in the closet, er stage door for Clay

I later learned that a lot of these folks got in line at Virgin Records in Times Square, to wait in line for 48 hrs to meet and greet their idol as he signed his new CD (which I'll buy too, because I love him)

Claudia Schiffer At The MET Gala Costume Ball & Valentino

2008-05-08T01:48:00.000-04:00

The twosome make their way down the grand staircase of the MET MuseumThe Trumps are behind them, Kimora Lee and Djimon Hounsou are leading the pack at the bottom of the stairs, Claudia notices that someone is stepping on her dress, and she reaches over with the longest arm I have ever seen on a human being embarassed the guy smooths out her dress and on her way she goes, but I will never get over the site of those octopus arms

MUSINGS ABOUT THE MET GALA COSTUME BALL or Princess Leia makes a comeback

2008-05-07T01:06:00.003-04:00

The Devil Wears Prada herself in a Princess Leia inspired ensemble, Anna Wintour making her way down the Met Museum steps with her daughter, Scarlett O'Hara er I mean Bee Schaffer. How many ex-husbands can you fit under that dress? The back of Princess Leia's dress

My Annual Post Tribute to my Dad - We believe in Guardian Angels or Spirits and now you might too!!

2008-05-02T09:51:00.000-04:00

http://hughe2030.blogspot.com/2007/03/do-you-watch-medium-my-family-was.html

Mariah Gets Married to Nick Cannon OMG

2008-05-01T15:38:00.002-04:00

Mariah marries Nick Cannon. Maybe that was their engagment party last week at Mr Chows where I photographed them. See photos under Wednesday, hmm or Thursday. Maybe she married him to top off the incredible week she had and to forget that she is about to be knocked off the #1 spot by Madonna's Hard Candy!!

I DIDN'T LIKE MY KRISTEN BELL SHOTS, but you wanted to see them

2008-05-01T01:05:00.003-04:00

but first Annabella Sciorra was tehre too Chevy Chase and some kind of offspring. We never did get the name. It was an odd pose. I have shot him before, he is SNLegend but odd. Surprise on the red carpet, and a terrible poser Kristen Bell. I wish she stood a little closer to me. I wish she did the over the shoulder pose. I made a mistake and positioned myself in an area that was spacious, and with folks I wanted to chat with as I waited for the event to start. Unfortunately, it was also the last press pen before video/media, so the celebs were tired when they got to me. and they were quick to walk by

BABY MAMA #1 AMY POEHLER IS REALLY PREGNANT PHOTO OUT TAKES FROM THE PREMIERE

2008-04-30T00:35:00.002-04:00

Does that hurt her eyes... I am coming up to my one year anniversary of shooting professionally in New York City, 'cause you know I started as a "fan" in Aug 2005, then moved back to Philly and started in March 2007 and then went to NYC 5/4/07 for my first gig - The Met Costume Ball, which I hope to be shooting from the Red Carpet on Monday night, which would bring this whole gig full circle. But just the fact that I shot Robert DeNiro twice in a week is a thrill. Thanks for reading. Praise the Lord Amy Poehler, now playing the title role in "Baby Mama," is one in real life as well. Her husband Will Arnett is on her right Why didn't the news sites run this photo, he's pointing right at her belly, don't they see what I see. Steve Martin is leering his next victim, Christie Lahti. Ya know I loved her since that movie with Mary Tyler Moore and Ted Danson.

What is Dax Shepard doing. OK actually a photographer was yelling to him that he should move closer so she could get a better shot, and he motioned and said "don't you have a zoom lense?" Doesn't my friend Suzanne look like Tina Fey? She's single guys and lives in NYC, and can afford it. Tina Fey Who is this women, she is awfully purple. I think she was going for worse dressed, but no one knew who the heck she was.

MARIAH CAREY LOVES NICK CANNON but will she love Madonna after Hard Candy; Ok this is really about my Aussie Friend In The UK's celebrity Website

2008-04-29T01:42:00.001-04:00

In the past few weeks, Julie has seen the stars, and she has the stories... http://moviemerlin.blogspot.com/2008/04/living-life-of-autograzzi.html Ya gotta LOVE MARIAH!!! (Missing her Nick Cannon) http://moviemerlin.blogspot.com/2008/04/living-life-of-autograzzi.html Read about Julie's adventures here: http://moviemerlin.blogspot.com/2008/04/living-life-of-autograzzi.html Then go out and buy Madonna's new CD. I wish I were in NYC right now buying it at Virgin Records in Times Square, they are having a huge party. I was there in 2005 for Confessions on the Dance Floor, where do you think I got this blog title from?

MARIAH CARREY NICK CANNON MR. CHOW'S E=MC2 DA BRAT and how I got the photos in New York City

2008-04-28T03:27:00.000-04:00

After shooting the Vanity Fair Party that kicks off the Tribeca Film Festival, my two friends, Margarita, Carmen (PhotoImagePress - Photo Agency) and I headed to my new fav restaurant - Bubby's http://www.bubbys.com/ In the car I mentioned overhearing that Mariah may be having a party, did they hear about that. Nope. After a phone call someone did verify there was a party, but as business goes, they couldn't mention it to me because of who I was rolling with that night. I am switzerland, and roll with a lot of different groups, and respect when one group wants the shot, if I am with another group that night. Lucky us, as we finished dinner I of course still want to shoot and as Thom Cardwell says would go to an envelope opening if I can get a shot. I noticed a bunch of cars across from Bubby's and wondered what that place was. "It's Mr Chow's" Margarita exclaims. Really, I say, that's Mr. Chow's, I always wondered where it was. Alot of "people" seem to go there. Margarita drove by showing me the patio, and then Carmen noted all the black SUV's and other markings. Oh look there's Mariah's car. We quickly park.

And find out Mariah went in 10 minutes ago, right as Carmen enjoyed her Key Lime Pie. But wait here come's Nick Cannon (I forgot about this photo, I didn't send it to my agency, and it wasn't reported that he too was at the party).

It's 11:30PM and we are in for a long night of waiting. We hang out on the sidewalk, chatting and watching Da Brat come out to the porch dancing to Mariah Tunes that almost all of Tribeca can hear. I am tempted to take a photo, as she is looking right at me, but know that without permission the scene could become a mess. Inside the door of Mr. Chow's I can see silver balloons spelling out MARIAH and gold ballons fill the ceiling and are tied to the railings. More people pile onto the patio, where people are smoking cigarettes and some wacky skunk smelling weed. As the night wears on the laughter mellows out and the girls begin to eat up and order champagne. Then at about 1AM, Sherrie comes out "Take a picture of me", I'm Mariah's back up singer. Will do Cherrie. To the left you can see some of the palms that shield the front porch where Da Brat is hanging. Slowly the place begins to release it's inhabitants. At about 1:10AM out comes LA Reid.Da Brat. Who is cool, stops for a photo and says "That's right, stop the hating". Next to her is her producer, who I wish I could recall his name and company. By this time a cute asian girl has popped up on the scene. She is a huge Mariah Carey fan. She got out of bed as soon as she got the tip that Mariah was at Mr Chows. She used to live in Japan and follow Mariah there; when she Mariah first saw her in NYC, she "recognized" her. She tells me she's not like those other crazy Mariah fans. She's brought a gift for Mariah. She has a Hello Kitty band aid in her hand. She has to see where Mariah is wearing her's today so she can follow suit. (Mariah: right hand near thumb, see picture) Then it's time, and I feel that the asian girl isn't so crazy after all. I am all tingling. I am in a position where a lot of Mariah fans wish they could be, especially the ones that live in Middle America that are only going to read this blog and might never have a chance to see Mariah up close. WOW I am excited. Mariah's people tell us she is going to pose. So me and Carmen stop shooting so Mariah can get into position. The next two photos are basically the same. This one is Carmen's and the next is mine. What is so great about Mariah is she knows these photos are for her fans, and she gives eye contact to both photographers that are on hand. If I learned one thing about Mariah over the years, its that she really does appreciate her fans. The thing I like best about Carmen's photo, besides the contrasting shade, in my shot, Mariah has the seal of the door coming out of her head. Now most people might not notice that, but it drives me crazy. This is the whole scene. I think the women to Mariah's left in the black coat outfit is her mother, supporter or close assistant. She has a lot of butterflies Mariah has her butterfly ring on her wedding ring finger. (Two days later at the screening of her movie "Tennesee" she sported what looked like an engagement ring)

Here's Carmen hard at work, Mimi is looking towards me, but it's not a shot I will send anywhere. The fan is to my left, Mimi acknowledges her, grabs the gift, but the poor girl doesn't get a photo or anything as Mariah is whisked to the car. This is the shot Carmen go as Mariah looks toward me. The colors and clarity are so rich. Mariah looks mahvalous!!

MADONNA I Am Because We Are Screening that I will be missing

2008-04-24T12:24:00.002-04:00

Maybe its a mistake, but I just can't hack going to NYC today to shoot the Madonna Screening. If I did, then my mojo would be zapped and I would have an ending to my book "Chasing Madonna", but actually I have a wedding in DC to go to tomorrow and I would just be spent if I did both. Last night I did see this legend, Faye Dunaway. Maybe when M is her age, I will finally get to photograph her. But it doesn't mean I am not resentful as yet another conflict arose that prevented me from "Chasing Madonna"

THE TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL, THE VANITY FAIR PARTY 2008

2008-04-22T01:49:00.003-04:00

I can hardly believe it, in a few hours I am going to NYC to pick up my credentials to cover the Tribeca Film Festival. It was only a few years ago that I first went to this event, the Vanity Fair Tribeca Film Festival "Opening Party" as a "fan" and had my first sighting of Robert DeNiro, Kitty Carlise Hart, Jeff Goldblum, Ed Burns, Barbara Walters and Cindy Adams Iman and David Bowie. These shots were taken near their cars, and now I get to stand in the press area and get full length shots as they pose for me. It is really amazing, awesome for me. And rumor has it that this little lady might show up; her documentary premieres on Thursday, her CD drops on Tuesday, she may need a little PR. I did not take this photo, I downloaded it in 2005 when Madonna appear on Letterman last and I had been sent to San Francisco on a three week work jaunt so I missed her. Needless to say I will be out of blog world until at least Thursday.

CHELSEA CLINTON GAY BAR PUB CRAWL IN PHILADELPHIA; or getting a lesbian goosed makes international headlines

2008-04-21T14:04:00.004-04:00

It's all for PR get out the vote, and if it takes getting goosed by another girl to make international headlines, so be it! http://technorati.com/posts/L1%2FuRcHXfTg3Xr2h9IJrxUyYEkZ6b2FlxATmvsVS%2Bmk%3D?reactions I'm not saying it was this girl, but I am saying this girl was beyond excited after taking this shot, and where is her left hand? See the other photos at: http://phillychitchat.blogspot.com/2008/04/philadelphia-inquirer-chelsea-clinton.html

The Metamorphose of A Photo - Chelsea Clinton and Gov Rendell participate in a Gay (GLBT) Pub Bar Crawl in Philadelphia

2008-04-20T10:56:00.007-04:00

After shooting events, I normally wait 24 hours to see if the photos are picked up by news organizations, online glossies or bought by various blog/web sources so I can add them to my portfolios. I do this by doing word searches, I have no idea where the photo goes I am invoiced usually 30 days out by my agency. So yesterday I did my search and this is what I found. This first site probably paid for the photo, as they gave proper credit to my agency, but the subsequent sites probably just lifted the photo, which is not really ok, but that's not the battle I am going to bother to fight on this beautiful Sunday. This is not my "money shot", but please give me photo credit.

I love how this site states "What a drag...Chelsea and Ed hit the gay bars."

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/04/chelsea-ed-rendell-cruise-philly-gay.html ; And then a reader on his site left a comment about the photo and directed us to his site and to see what he created probably based on that "What a drag..." line. The metamorphose of the photo

This guy's site is hysterical. Tell him HughE sent you: http://edwardcropper.blogspot.com/ Check out my other site for more coverage of Chelsea does Philly's Gay Bars http://www.phillychitchat.com/

SO AWESOME, I LOVE YOUTUBE AND chrisbarrett

2008-04-17T01:52:00.000-04:00

THANKS chrisbarrett FOR YOUR GREAT YOUTUBE COVERAGE OF THE WHOLE FESTIVAL:

PATTI SMITH at the PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL'S CLOSING NIGHT

2008-04-16T03:52:00.003-04:00

Patti Smith grew up in Deptford, NJ until the age of 17 when she left to pursue her dreams in NYC. Last night her movie was screened at the PFF on Closing Night. I had a few moments with her right before she hit the stage. I told her and her director, Steven Sebring, how moving the piece was. I asked where she grew up, Deptford, she went to Deptford High School. I almost asked her if she knew so and so and then realized I was talking to Patti Fucking Smith and got nervous and wanted to cry with admiration.

So you know if this was Madonna I would be falling at her feet, hugging her ankles for dear love spewing my emotions all over the place.Here's Patti and her son Jackson. Unbenost to us all Patti watched the movie from the audience. I knew her son was in the crowd because every time a scene with him in it came on, everyone heard outrageous laughter. It was only later when I asked a friend if they had taken Patti to dinner did she tell me that Patti watched the film with us. Team Derek was in the house, they watched the movie, said they were big fans. Later scored this 'graphs. I look forward to hanging out with these guys this summer catching stars, they seem to know where they be!To read more about the night, to see photos of you and your friends and the ICON PATTI SMITH, check out www.PhillyChitChat.com

MERYL STREEP HONORED BY THE LINCOLN CENTER FILM SOCIETY

2008-04-15T02:33:00.006-04:00

I went to NYC yesterday to cover an event where ICON Meryl Streep recieved an honor from the Lincoln Center Film Society. It was great fun, I got to see alot of stars that I really admire, but it is also a huge commitment. I was told the press check in was at 4:30, but in NYC you have to get on the photographers list, which is first come first serve. That is how the photographers pick spots for all the events. Would be nice if that was done in Philly, but well nevermind about Philly. I got to the venue about 3PM, after I went to TRL to miss Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt. Demis and Carmen two of my close photography friends. Carmen is responsible for this mess I call my 2nd job/passion. It was with her and her sister's Margarita's encouragement that I bought my first professional camera. Now I am on my third camera as I killed the other two (They have a life span of about 100,000 pictures)

Look at the friendly bunch in NYC. I may not miss the insanity of NYC, but I do miss the camadarieship of working with these guys. Thats everyone's gear on the riser. It's always nice when a venue sets up a riser, just in case someone forgets their ladder and needs to shoot over the front row. So after about 3 hours things pick up and we are all in place to begin shooting the photos that you get to see on the web, entertainment sites, and in the glossies. This is on my left. I was number 18, so I am in the 2nd row, but still a good spot with the step-up-and-repeat in front of me. The peps to the far left don't have it. But all in all the Lincoln Center PR made sure we all had space, they were great with the celebs, the pacing was perfect, the placement on the carpet worked well. Everyone got their shots. I think next time I won't take a half vacation day to shlep up to NYC for this event, maybe a half of a half. As a third of the photographers got there right at 4:30PM, as they were shooting Julia Roberts at Lord & Taylor's, who was shooting a move with Clive Owen. When I got to NYC I got this info, I should have called ahead to friends to get this info, as it would have been icing on the cake for my trip. I always like to get two events when I travel to the big Apple. This is the view to my right. First up scary Christopher Walken, who walkened so fast off the red carpet I barely got a shot. That was a bit irritating.

The men arrived first and here's Mike Nichols sans the beautiful Diane Sawyer. I was surprised to see him here tonight as his new play 'Country Girl' had it's opening preview on Braodway too. (I passed by on my way home and didn't see anyone to photograph)

Uma and Amy arrived on the red carpet at the same time, but Uma with her star power and aggressiveness pushed Amy aside and did the bulbs first. I didn't send this shot to my agency as it looked grainey, but now and here I see it looks fine. Oh well, it probably wasn't the money shot, but she does look beautiful.Amy was up next, she looks unspectacular and I have seen her in this look before Then the star of the show, the Icon, the Legend....MERYL STREEP, who is so un star like, seemed embarrased by all the attention and mocked it up a bit out there. At one point as she moved to the next section, responded to the paps in the last section, she had just left, that if they really wanted a shot they should come to where she was, and a lot of the photographers did that creating a third row of shooters. I and my lazy self felt I blinded Ms Streep enough, but the I remembered, wait they have a different background, its a nice change, but in a flash she was gone and I missed that shot. I love this shot, she is stretching her neck giving good face for the camera. Finally it was still a fun night, and afterwards I had dinner with Margarita and Carmen and I was happy I took that half vacation day to shoot Streep and eat at Bubby's. Tonight Patti Smith is in town for the last night of the Phila Film Festival, it's 3AM and I am off to bed. UPDATE: check out this fan's perspective Musings from America: http://musingsfromamerica.blogspot.com/2008/04/gala-tribute-to-meryl-streep-at-lincoln.html

OK I FEEL BAD, BUT I AM COVERING THE PHILLY FILM FESTIVAL ON PHILLY CHIT CHAT .COM

2008-04-13T22:44:00.002-04:00

So come on over, John Leguizamo stopped by the festival this week. No post tomorrow as I am in NYC tonight covering a Meryl Street event. Finally I will get a photo of her. So stopped by www.PhillyChitChat.com I do some confessing there too...Thanks a bunch!

"ELECTILE DYSFUNCTION", hands down the best political movie this year

2008-04-10T01:16:00.001-04:00

My friend Mary Patel's movie debut at the Philadelphia Film Festival last night, and you have to see it. Funny, funny. TO read about the event go to www.PhillyChitChat.com

WILLIAM H. MACY, JASON RITTER AND FIONA GLASCOTT at the 17th Annual Philadelphia Film Festival - Self Portrait Photo - Cast of The Deal

2008-04-09T08:23:00.003-04:00

Yesterday the Phila Inquirer published this fun photo; it was the largest photo to date taking up two columns in the newspaper; it was an exclusive; I had no idea it was in yesterdays paper until someone called me. My paper was never delivered, as was everyone else in Center City. Something about a problem with their South Philly distribution center. Bummer:( My ego got just a little bit deflated, I thought maybe they'll run it again. Hmm I guess I am motivated by something else other than the joy of getting a good shot.

Actually every time I have a photo run, I secretly hope my arch enemy in eighth grade, Barry D sees it. I remember when I was the photographer on the school newspaper, my first assignment out was to cover the school assembly and the football rally. Barry was the schools bully, and quarterback on the football team. When I took his photo he screamed at me that he didn't want his photo taken by a faggot, I had no idea I was a faggot at the time, but I immediately quit being the photographer for the school newspaper and never pursued that career until last year.

Now when I get a shot published locally, I hope Barry sees it, while sitting on his tattered Archie Bunker lazy boy chair with his 10 screaming kids around him, well except the smart gay one who will be in his room reading my blog or http://www.towleroad.com/ thinking his dad is an ass.

17TH ANNUAL PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL 2008 PHOTO ALBUMS

2008-04-08T08:34:00.003-04:00

Here is a link to the photos that the official photographer Gail Kamenish or Dave have taken at the Phila Film Festival 2008 http://imageevent.com/phillyfilmfest/17thphiladelphiafilmfestival;jsessionid=imufx466e1.buffalo_s and to read my daily event review check out http://www.phillychitchat.com/

JULIE ANDREWS is morphing into LEONA HELMSLEY

2008-04-07T12:08:00.004-04:00

I love Julie too, but I couldn't help noticing the similarity in looks between her and Leona Helmsley when I photographed her the other day in at Macy's in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL follow me as I blog through the 12 day event

2008-04-04T13:18:00.003-04:00

WWW.PHILLYCHITCHAT.COM

THE BARREL OF A GUN Wrap Party in Philadelphia

2008-04-03T01:20:00.007-04:00

It meant a lot to me to be invited exclusively to the wrap party for Tigre Hill's latest movie. I really do strive to be the kind of photographer directors and film makers can trust and allow me to shoot their events and know I will promote them in the best light. Below is author Sean Patrick Griffin, who's book "Black Brother's Inc" has been optioned for a movie to shoot in Philly in the fall, but that is all I can tell you as this plays into my trustworthy character, but it will be a doozy casting. And political columnist, TV "star" Mary Patel. (Mary's next project has been optioned into a movie too, but again I can't tell you anything, wish I could, isn't that what a scoop is?)

Tigre Hill releasing a lot of angst through laughter, with his friend Former Philadelphia Eagle Gary Cobb at the wrap party of "The Barrel of A Gun" in Philadelphia. A documentary on the death of Officer Daniel Faulkner and the conviction of Mumia. I love this candid shot. I remember the second after this Tigre pointed at me and laughed again acknowledging that I took it. I wish candids at night could be more stealth and I didn't have to use that flash and tip off people. Mary Patel with Chad Jenkins the cinematographer for both her film "Electile Dysfunction" and Tigre Hill's film "The Barrel of a Gun." Cinematographer Chad Jenkins, producer Tara Nurin, Producer Ed Kenedy, director Tigre Hill, Executive Producer Kevin Kelly and Art Director Matt Chom (Editors note: I think I have told you before, if I hear that a shot may be published, locally, I usually wait until after it appears in the paper. On Tuesday a photo from this event did make the paper: http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/todaystalk/20080401_Inqlings__Nudist_worship__Check_your_calendar.html

and then one in Mary Patel's column, which I have to say has a great write up of the party:

http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2008/04/03/phillywood )

Starting today is the begining of THE PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL, which was really the start of my shooting career. This year I know what I am doing and will bring to you each day a whole bunch of shots on http://www.phillychitchat.com/ so you can follow along.

TODAY WAS WARM IN PHILLY AND I WENT OUT AND SHOT SOME OF THOSE THINGS I TALKED ABOUT MONDAY & TUESDAY (although I did shoot a book signing event too)

2008-04-02T00:52:00.003-04:00

Oh and worked my 8 hr paralegal job. But here's what we call the Waterworks in Philly. Back in the day there was machinery in this building that pumped the water out of the Schuylkill to the folks downtown. In the back is the Cira Center. Later this week the Phila Film Festival starts and several parties will be held here. Today I got the Tribeca Film Festival Press Guide. Lots of fun films are coming to that festival and I will be a busy bee shooting the events. Feeling better today, it's hard to turn my back on something I love so much, but to find the balance I need in my life I really need to just commit to a few events in NYC, mostly because I don't want to loose complete touch with the people I met over the past three years, and I wanna really do the events I enjoy shooting, Fashion Week, Broadway, TV Week and maybe the NY Film Festival. I guess I am giving up shooting from October til April. I will be a fair weather friend to NYC - LOL

CLAIFICATION: Not An April Fools Day joke

2008-04-01T13:09:00.002-04:00

but now I don't feel compelled to check the trades each week to see if I have a photo published, I don't have to check People.com to see who might be in NYC and if I should run up and try and get a photo, I don't have to do endless hours of searches to determine the exclusives. It means that the thought of flowers and landscapes and Philly people, and window shopping and dancing can come back into my life. I can follow the birds, I can have a garden, I can watch the migrating butterflies, which I missed the last three years after doing it for the last 10 years. It means balance, it means I will still do Fashion Week, TV Week, Broadway and see my friends in NYC a couple times a year. But those events are static and never change. I must have a book in me by now, who wants to option my story for a book and get the real confessions? Doubleday ? HarperCollins ? Simon & Schuster ? Random House? or will I have to self publish ?

YE WAVERLY INN: The New Celebrity Hot Spot, Anne Hathaway's Hide-Out

2008-04-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

The Confessions Continue: Ye Waverly Blog: Bank Street Grows Bulb-ous. This place really helped me make up my mind about the future of shooting celebrities. I spent a good time hanging out here waiting for them to enjoy their dinner. In the warmer months you wait on the sidewalk, as people are enjoying themselves at the outdoor tables while you cool your heels waiting for the next best shot. For my friends it works for them, because they are there every night they catch the people they need to, for me, its a crap shot and I sometimes feel that I should be sitting there eating a $15 hamburger with friends. I found this on the Vanity Fair website today, which is what prompted me to write about Ye Waverly Inn...As the sun set and night fell, Emil, the manager at the Waverly, noticed something curious through the barroom windows: In addition to the usual trio of die-hard paparazzi who never seem to leave the corner, there was a veritable encampment of fotogs forming outside—a Hooverville of unwashed shutterbugs! The Waverly Inn is the equivalent to The Ivy in Hollywood. If you are a celebrity, you don't go to this place for the food, you go here to get photographed by the paparazzi. Here is Anne Hathaway and her boyfriend who eat here practically every night. Below is Ali Larter exiting the place. As Ali got closer to me I can't saying "I'm from Cherry Hill, I'm from Cherry Hill", to no avail as I wanted to get that smile, wave and acknowledgement. She is gorgeous in person. On this particular night Patrick Stewart was exiting with his younger, more hair girlfriend. He's in town as he is performing on Broadway in Macbeth. It was cool to see him in person. To get a shot like this, a photographer has to walk backwards. It was trash night and one of the guys fell on his ass. Sad thing is, the shot of Patrick is not a big seller, so it probably wasn't worth the pain.

Jay-Z sneaking out the back. He must think he is all that, the truth is his photo is not worth crap. I was one of three out of the 15 paps that bothered to shoot him. The only this someone wants him for is to ask him what Beyonce is up to. The funny thing is that these two frequent this spot a lot. Maybe they think the food is good, or I guess its the company. Anne Hathaway departs and makes an angelic pose towards her mother who I later see is standing behind me.

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY SINCE I WAS FIRST PUBLISHED

2008-03-31T01:23:00.002-04:00

Today's my one year anniversary since I got my first photo published. A lot has happened in that year.

I love my photographer friends in NYC, and they have been incredibly supportive, but the truth is, I am never going to quit my daytime job and I am never going to pursue being a paparazzi full time, currently it's entirely too much work to do both, and frankly it is really a difficult job with an uncertainty of a payoff in the end. The waiting around for a celebrity in the cold, and skipping meals, and bathroom breaks, the research it takes to get the exclusives and as for the traveling to the Big Apple it's a killer for me; Most importantly because I spend double the amount of time doing "work" I seem to be missing a lot of my life while photographing others living their lives. Because of my all out pursuit of celebrity photography I have missed my other true loves like shooting landscapes, nature, wild life, my greeting card business, photo exhibits, socializing with friends, to seeing my nieces and nephews (which is now relegated to holidays), to visiting family, to going to the beach, to the mountains, to spending time with friends, relaxation, to sleeping in late, to going to bed early, to learning things, to not be rushed, to a clean desk, to not obsessing on whether a photo will be published or not and then the dealings with other photographers and the business, trying to get credentialed at an event, dealing with rejection, or dealing with putting my life on hold so I can attend an event (below Halle Barry, my 2nd major photo published People Online) In other words, I'm burned out, and who didn't see that coming - LOL

I had a BLAST, BLAST, BLAST, but in a few months it will end as a full time gig. I have bigger things on my horizon, I have my Philly Chit Chat blog; I've been approached to do something in Philly that will make a difference, it's partly a charitable pursuit, so it's a line of business that might suit this thin skinned paparazzi better. I will promise you this, I will not retire until I get my Madonna shot. Which will actually be a nice ending to my book "Chasing Madonna" or ok I guess I will call it "Confessions of a Paparazzi", because Margarita was right, that's what I am. And as Margarita knows, when I discussed it with her earlier this week, I am sure the chapter on this book will not close forever, I still have my favorite events, I just won't feel so compelled to do all of them just so I have something to write about on Confessions, everyday. I will of course be writing on Philly Chit Chat everyday, so if you miss me I will be there. In the meantime I still have a good four months left of Confessions, but don't say I didn't warn you.

3 PHOTOS IN PHILA INQUIRER - LISA PAGE Q102 AT A LOCAL PARTY; LAUREN GRAHAM AND JEFF DANIELS ON THE SET OF THEIR NEW MOVIE FILMING IN PHILADELPHIA Published 3/30/08

2008-03-30T12:52:00.001-04:00

Sure I'm exhausted and sick this week, but hey I have had a lot of stuff published including these three shots in the Philadelphian Inquirer. Great entertainment stories and news about movies being film in Philadelphia, including the Lauren Graham / Jeff Daniels movie, the Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Jennifer Anniston Movie, and the Transformer movie, really they are all going to be filmed in Philadelphia. Also information on an appearance by Julie Andrews. So check out this link and read about Phillywood events.

http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/todaystalk/17133276.html

CHELSEA CLINTON IN PHILADELPHIA FOR Q&A AND PHOTOS

2008-03-28T08:30:00.002-04:00

Chelsea Clinton looking more like Hillary these days than Bill, thank God. Story and more photos at www.PhillyChitChat.com (You don't think I can go to bed at 3AM and then get up for work at 8AM and fit two blog entries in, do you?) Have a great weekend. I will update the Lauren Graham movie experience over the weekend in between gigs. Who's going to NYC for the Rolling Stones screening on Sunday?

LAUREN GRAHAM JEFF DANIELS FILMING IN PHILADELPHIA - THE DREAM OF THE ROMANS

2008-03-27T08:35:00.001-04:00

GREAT write up with photos my friend John Taggart shot here: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillygossip/

KATE HUDSON AT THE LETTERMAN SHOW IN FEBRUARY 2008

2008-03-27T02:02:00.001-04:00

You know when I was a kid Kate Hudson's dad, was in a very popular kids TV show. Her dad divorced her mom when she was three, and later he married Cindy Williams of the Laverne and Shirley show. I shot this during fashion week. I got here late as I was covering something over at Planet Hollywood. I didn't have my ladder, and a little hint, you have to have a ladder to shoot the Letterman show. This particular night about 40 photographers were there. I like the shot, even though she isn't looking at me. I like her raincoat with the big bow, er knot.

AMERICA FERRERA AT BRYN MAWR COLLEGE IN Us MAGAZINE

2008-03-26T00:15:00.003-04:00

Only two photographers were there, me and my buddy John. John has been in the news business for about 12 years. He went to school to be a photojournalist. He's got that eye for capturing just the right shot. I remember when he went in to get this shot. I could have followed him in, but I knew that it was his "Money Shot". Today it was published in Us Magazine.

GIRL POWER! America Ferrera campaigned for Hillary Clinton at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania on March 22. Us Weekly Magazine Online John Taggart - On The Move - http://www.johntaggart.com/blog/ (Update: Someone just email me to say one of my shots was in In Style: I am over the f-ing moon as I was trying to get a shot in there for a year. You'll recall that I wrote Monday about the all important "Fashion Shot" that I got http://www.instyle.com/instyle/parties/party/0,,20185961_20428787,00.html

CNN THINKS THEY'RE TMZ NOW

2008-03-24T21:01:00.001-04:00

See if you can tell what is wrong with this lame video. I hope they paid a pretty penny for it. I thought they were a news station. This is paparazzi video. http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2008/03/24/von.obama.in.st.thomas.cnn

AMERICA FERRERA PHILADELPHIA AND LAZY PHOTOGRAPHERS

2008-03-24T10:31:00.006-04:00

Saturday I hung out with America Ferrera. A friend and I drove out to Bryn Mawr College to hear a panel discussion on women and politics. We were excited as we were the only two photographers. I am always surprised when this happens and it either says that photographers don't do their research and only go on tips that are readily published or given to them by their agencies. Secondly, laziness is something that I know suffer from. This week I had a call from a publisher in NYC who wanted to know if I had Hillary Clinton or Obama photos from their events this week. Sadly I was too lazy to leave the day job, cross the street and get Hillary. Obama was a little more difficutl as he was down the street a few blocks. I don't know what got into me, but I just didn't bother. Now for people to skip Ferrera, that's just crazy, she is one of the top 25 girls to get published. So I dragged my tired sick self to

32 Degree Lux Lounge in the PM to shoot her again. My motivation was to see if maybe she let down her hair, or changed. Niether happened, and then I forgot to ask her who's boots she was wearing, 'cause they were fierce. I'm happy to say I was the only photographer to get the full length shot of her. I was late, stuck in the up stair case and had to shoot through the grill.

It's become more apparent to me that all the paps are competitors no matter what agency we are shooting for. I think I take a decent photo, I still need to read my camera's manual, but half the job is showing up to take the photo.

'Biggest Loser' 4 Contestant Nicole Michalik and Lisa from Philly's Q102

2008-03-21T03:00:00.003-04:00

At an event last night. What an amazing job Nicole has done. She looks great. We're getting quite a lot of fun celebrities in Philadelphia. The other night I was lazy, a friend called me to tell me that Lauren Grahman and Jeff Bridges was eating at the restuarant that her cousin works at. I was at the gym, and then it was raining and I was like so over standing in the rain for that picture, which at any other time ie warmer weather, would have jumped at. Now what does that have to do with Nicole and Lisa, nothing. Just my random thoughts this week. Sorry to ignore you Confessions, I know I still have Fashion Week to write about, its only like almost 2 months ago. I must confess I am really busy, figuring out my path in Philly. Getting ready for the Phila Film Festival which should scare up a few celebs. Then its the TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL, I can't believe I am credentialed for that baby!! Oh and an awesome Meryl Streep Tribute too. See www.PhillyChitChat.com for the photos from SOUTH MOON UNDER Spring Celebration in Philly

MANDY MOORE AND THAT YELLOW RAIN COAT FROM GAP

2008-03-20T01:05:00.002-04:00

Mandy Moore has done for the yellow Gap raincoat what Sharon Stone did for the black turtle neck. The Sunday morning 2/3 Herve Ledger show brought out a few stars including Mandy Moore. None of my photos were published with her in it, but that's because I didn't always get eye contact or when I did I cut off her feet. I have to say it's a real skill to yell at someone or even raise your voice and get them to follow direction. I would have failed at being a parent. Sometimes I just pretend I am more demostrative, usually at home when I am arguing about politics Anyway this yellow number can be yours at the Gap for only $79, and if you live along the Northeast corrider you could really use a good raincoat.

Rock Auction in Philadelphia priscilla presley meg ryan scary face

2008-03-19T12:35:00.002-04:00

Oh how I have fallen down on the job of this blog, but the good news I did update my other blog. http://www.phillychitchat.com/ Oh and a comment, what did Priscilla Presley do to her face, doesn't her doctor love her, does she have the same doctor as Meg Ryan? Can't Lisa Marie tell her mom to stop screwing with her face. The other night I was invited to a lovely dinner; i hadn't seen the women who sat across from me since the holidays when she was botexed to death. I guess she decided to lay off the stuff for a bit, and let me tell you I have a better understanding of botox. It stretches out your face and when you stop doing it, you look like a witches hag as your skin is loose and sagging. It's such a shame too as this girl is only about 45 years old.

OBAMA'S SPEECH WAS AMAZING, and Ashley Baia will get 15 minutes of fame

2008-03-18T12:10:00.001-04:00

One of the first sites pulled up, after googling Ashley Baia is this NY Times article. It really encapsulates my feelings and abivilance on who I am going to support in the Pennsylvania Primary. Last night I talked to two Obama campaigners and they offered almost no information with substance besides don't you want to end the dynasty, don't you want change? http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/14/us/politics/14carolina.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&hp&oref=slogin

McGILLIN'S Olde Ale House St. Patricks Day Night Party Photos

2008-03-18T10:44:00.002-04:00

http://www.mcgillins.com/ Let's do the Time Warp again!! St. Patrick's Day brings you and old together The Obama kids working the crowd, where was Hillary's? inside a wild and crazy time was had by all Check out the rest of the story and more photos at http://www.phillychitchat.com/

HAPPY ST PATRICKS DAY

2008-03-17T08:35:00.002-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day (A sighting at Kildare's in Philadelphia) A random sighting in Philadelphia Saturday Night - Obama for President (note how O'Bama is spelled - LOL)

To see more photos from my St Patricks Day weekend check out www.PhillyChitChat.com

AMY SMART Us MAGAZINE, me published, its still a thrill!!

2008-03-14T02:11:00.003-04:00

I finally got a great fashion shot published in Us Magazine. I wanted one so badly, I was grateful that Us Weekly published my Hillary Clinton shots, two weeks in a row, but they were only head shots. This week it happened for me, a nice size shot. It was in this article. One of my friends called me to tell me. Thanks, it meant a lot to me. I always dream of finding one on my own, I would have checked the mags today, but had lunch with a friend. And to tell you the truth I would probably miss it, but if I didn't it would be like screaming for a lottery win. Talk about miss, I had no idea who Amy Smart was that early sunday morning 2/3/08. There were only about 5 of us there, and we worked well as a team Id ing people. Someone told me this was Amy Smart, they didn't know what she was in, and neither did I, I still don't but will look her up in a minute. She'll always be my first (full length shot) and I will remember her fondly. Sometimes people ask me how I know its my photo, well for most glossies it has your name along the edge of the magazine. Here is mine!! Have a good weekend...thanks for reading me...

DO YOU WANNA HEAR ABOUT PAT'S BALLS

2008-03-13T00:16:00.001-04:00

Well you'll have to read www.PhillyChitChat.com again today...I confess

I'VE CONFESSED ABOUT TOM HANKS AND PAUL GIAMATTI at Philly Chit Chat

2008-03-12T09:47:00.001-04:00

www.PhillyChitChat.com But my thoughts on Madonna. Gurl has gotten a facelift and is about to drop her CD and her husband in the same year. Where was he on Rock & Roll induction night?

LOU REED SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE WAVERLY INN with Salman Rushdie

2008-03-11T22:39:00.001-04:00

It's always cool to see these brainiacs. It was cool to see Lou induct Leonard Cohen into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame tonight. He was the writer of the Hallelujah song featured on American Idol last week. www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf36v0epfmI In my head I have so many things I want to ask them, but at the same time I don't want to ruin the candidness of the shot. Of course I have no idea what I was doing when I took this shot at such an angle. Who is Lou asking to hurry up Come on hurry will ya its his girlfriend of 20 years performance artist, great, Laurie Anderson I saw them for the first time in October of 2005, it was an amazing experience to see these two legends Just a note on the R&R Hall of Fame inductions; I hope you had a chance to see Madonna's speech. Nice to hear her talk in her regular voice losing that English accent, and really humbled, and such a contrast to having the shallow, thin, bastard Justin Timberlake introduce her, especially since he took two pot shots at Britney Spears. I hope people turn their backs on him, to attack someone when their at their lowest point in their lives. How immature is he?

Gov. Eliot Spitzer Resigns because of Prostitution Ring Involvement: "It was a Right Wing Conspiracy, they had too much Viagra in the water!"

2008-03-10T15:44:00.001-04:00

Bush Reveals Tap Water as Prescription Drug Plan Hopes Doped Water Will Be His Legacy, President Says On a day when millions Americans were reeling from the news that there were trace amounts of prescription drugs in their drinking water, President George W. Bush made a stunning announcement at the White House. "I am responsible for this," Mr. Bush told reporters. "This is my idea of a prescription drug plan." Standing before a banner reading "Prescription Accomplished," the president said that he hoped providing Americans with free medications via their tap water would prove to be "the finest legacy" of his Administration. Mr. Bush indicated that America’s drug-laced waters could boost tourism in the U.S., adding that English rocker Pete Doherty was "getting on the next plane over here." Across the country, the announcement that President Bush had doped America’s drinking water with dozens of prescription medications drew a variety of reactions. "It makes me proud to be an American," said pitching great Roger Clemens. Responding to the news that she had been imbibing anti-anxiety drugs in her water, New York resident Carol Foyler said, "I’m not worried about it, but come to think of it, I’m not worried about anything anymore." But New York's Gov. Eliot Spitzer said that he believes all drinking water in the U.S. should come with a warning label indicating possible side effects. "I had a glass of water yesterday and I had an erection lasting more than four hours," he said.

MADONNA AND ME - Rock & Roll Induction Tonight

2008-03-09T01:19:00.005-05:00

Tomorrow MADONNA IS INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME. If I wrote a book the title would be "Chasing Madonna, my life as a Paparazzi." Although I have seen Madonna in concert half dozen times, I have never seen her in person as a paparazzi. Once in 1988 a friend of mine who lived in NYC hung out with her and invited me to come along, but there were rules, no photos, no talking to her about her music, I had to keep it under control, and treat her like everyone else. Believe it or not, I turned him down, it made me too nervous, I told him I didn't think I could remain cool. Here's my Madonna Story: EVERYBODY: Madonna's first radio played song, it didn't catch on. I noticed her though, and when it was announced she would play at the Playpen in Wildwood, NJ 6 months later in August I was so there, but them they released "Holiday" and it shot to the top and they cancelled her appearance 'cause the dive place was no place for a superstar. At first many people thought she was a black performer, until the video was made and put out on MTV. I always hated this song because it cancelled her appearance. I knew she was going to be someone and I wanted to see her first. LIKE A VIRGIN debut at MTV Music Awards: She got the worlds attention. PAPA DON'T PREACH Madonna pisses off the Catholic Church again. Someone close to me was forced to give their baby up for adoption. I cried a lot that year whenever the song would come on. LOVE DON'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE: Madonna doesn't release this song. She's met Sean Penn and she was in love. Me: Love was hard for a young gay boy like me. I spent alot of time drinking and crying into my rum & coke. LIKE A PRAYER. Madonna held a mirror up to the Catholic Church to reflect their hypocrisy. Having been rejected by my family and my Church based on that religion, I embraced what I thought would be an embarassement to the Catholic Church. Instead the world held Madonna album burnings. DRESS YOU UP WITH MY LOVE: Madonna is making money, she needs to go on a diet. ME: It's my favorite song still today, I am so co-dependent. TRUE BLUE, nah AIN'T NO BIG DEAL. Everyone was listening to True Blue, I like what was on the B Side: CHERISH: My 2nd Favorite Song. Madonna wrote this when she was married to Sean Penn. By the time the song came out, they had broken up. ME: Madonna inspired me to visit the Pacific Ocean. I was in love (with the wrong guy) when this song came out and it made a lot of sense to me. TIL DEATH DO US PART- Madonna: It's not biographical (she's not always good with the truth.) ME: I could relate to this having just ended a violent four year relationship. I was going to paralegal school during the day, dancing at Pulsations and Gatby's at night. Madonna - Express Yourself - Madonna gets her real message across - "Don't Go For Second Best"; I was coming into my own, I moved into Philly expecting to move to NYC within 5 years. VOGUE - Madonna embraces the gays again and again. Me: Someone at work asks me if "Gave Good Face" met giving a BJ. It was sad that people were so out of touch with Rita Hayworth. Party harty at KURTS on Chestnut Street. Later Pink would make her debut there. I love it when a dancer steps on Madonna's dress and she throws him attitude. HANKY PANKY- Madonna begins her slide into exposing her sexual fetishes. This clip is from the Blond Ambition Tour: The pope banned the show, she was almost arrested in Canada because of the masturbation segment, she lost her voice while on tour and filmed the whole thing which was later to be known as the film 'Truth or Dare'. I saw Dick Tracy at the first midnight showing, and then about 12 more times that month. I like Hanky Panky alot, it was fun. This was my Butch period. EROTICA: Madonna was at the pinicle of her "in your face" attitude. The song gave us permission to explore the darker side of partying, drugs, sex, and S&M. Life was out of control for Madonna and me. Her career was circling the drain and so was mine. Madonna shocked the world with her SEX BOOK; Why did she do it? Her career took a nose dive, and would take Evita and a pregnancy to get it back on track. ME: I got sober this year, I had no money and couldn't afford to buy this book. On my Five year anniversary of being sober a good friend gave me his copy as a gift. FORBIDDEN LOVE: Jake Gyllenhaal & Madonna ONE MORE CHANCE: She filmed this at the same time as TAKE A BOW. She had a crush on Antonio Banderas during this period. He wasn't going to leave his wife for her. She probably wanted to know what happened to her career too. Me: It's haunting and my life is finally on track, I am in love, we bought a house and my relationship with my parents is better than ever. DROWNED WORLD: Madonna: Gave up everything for her dream, but now wants Love and a Family. Me: Sometimes I feel guilty being a paparazzi. NOBODY'S PERFECT: Madonna: doing her best Cher impersonation. Constantly reminding us that no one is perfect, she's not perfect, she's made mistakes in her career. She didn't realize how influential she really was. She doesn't want her mistakes to effect her children so they're not allowed to watch TV, watch MTV or read magazines. ME: I regret a lot too, but won't dwell on it, and people have the right to re-invent their lives, it's our lives. I LOVE NY: Madonna started her career in NYC. When she arrived she told the cab driver to take her to the middle of everything, he dropped her off in Times Square. The first time I saw HUNG UP, it was on the Screen in Times Square, I was living in NY when CONFESSIONS ON THE DANCE FLOOR CAME OUT. I named my blog Confessions of a Paparazzi after the title of her CD. GET TOGETHER: Madonna has reached ZEN, Me Too!! 25 Years of Madonna Tomorrow night Madonna gets inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I won't be there, I didn't get credentialed. I guess I will have to continue the chase. (EDITORS NOTE - SUNDAY NIGHT I WAS IN NYC HANGING OUT BY MADONNA'S HOUSE, LEFT AFTER 30 MINUTES TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE 'cause I was thinking maybe she's not even in town yet, WRONG, she was rehearing at the Waldorf (she's not even singing [FIRST TIME ANY INDUCTEE REFUSED], what is she rehearsing?) SHE CAME, ONE PERSON GOT THE PHOTO, IT WILL SELL WELL, I AM AN IDIOT AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN PATIENT. A fan saw her the day before and didn't take her photo, and someone forgot to tell me that nugget, otherwise I wouldn't have second guessed myself and would have stayed -Shitz!!)

WAS ASHLEE SIMPSON DRUNK WHEN SHE GOT HER TATOO? According to gandalfthegator on Ebay she had at least one drink!

2008-03-07T13:43:00.008-05:00

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer 3/6/08, the stated reason for Ashlee Simpson's one-hour lateness to Monday's CD autograph session at the Wal-Mart in Bensalem: She'd been driven to the wrong Wal-Mart. Simpson signed for those who bought copies of her song "Outta My Head." After the signing ended around 8PM, did she tie one on and then decide to get a tatoo? The next day it was reported Ashlee Simpson was on the "Kane Morning Show" on DC's Hot 99.5 and came off sounding a bit dazed and confused. Here she is the next morning at DC Hot 99.5, where this photo was taken of her big ass tatoo around 8AM. It must take a couple hours to do a tat that big; it had to be painful; if she didn't have a few drinks to ease the pain, then did she really lip synch on SNL?According to gandalfthegator on EBAY, Ashlee had at least one Margarita at a resturaunt in Bensalem before she hit the road in her tour bus with her groupies, to the next days radio gig in Washington DC, three hours away. Quick thinking by gandalfthegator who scooped up Ms. Simpsons glass and lime and offers it here on EBAY for you the fan. Ashlee even licked the Lime: http://cgi.ebay.com/Ashlee-Simpson-Lime-from-Margarita-Phila-PA-Celebrity_W0QQitemZ110230207361QQihZ001QQcategoryZ85947QQcmdZViewItem ***** Here's her radio interview on TMZ : http://www.tmz.com/2008/03/04/ashlee-simpson-drunk-or-dingbat/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATI!!

2008-03-06T08:13:00.005-05:00

Today my Palm reminded me that it's Kati's Birthday. Kati is one of my favorite subjects to shoot, but like so many of my friends she rarely sees the results. Damn I wish I was more organized. Last month Kati and I went to the Diane von Furstenburg fashion show. We saw celebrities there like Ellen Barkin, Barry Diller (or as I call him DVF BFF or gay husband) and Fran LebowitzWe got a backstage tour (more on this later) Isn't Kati pretty? Kati's married to Simon, my BFF. We all chat at least 5 times a week. At the end of the month Mike always makes comments like, "Did you know you talked to Simon (& Katie) 2000 minutes last month?" Kati spotted the Devil Queen - Anna Wintour DVF comes out after show

Happy Birthday Kati!!

DON'T RELY ON YOUR GPS or you just might end up in Brooklyn

2008-03-06T00:56:00.005-05:00

I did, as I rushed to the private screening of "Miss Pettigrew Lives One Day" I followed "Daniel's" instructions and ended up in the Battery-Brooklyn Tunnel. When I finally got to the screening location I saw lots of flashes going off and Amy Adams posing in full fashion without her coat and without me.

Surprisingly with all my contacts in NYC, no one told me about this screening that was held on a SUNDAY, Rule #1, if a Screening or big event is on a weekend, I can make it, call me!! It looks like a lot of people knew about this event. I found out in a casual conversation with a pap who wasn't even bothering to shoot it. That was at 3PM, the event was at 5:30PM, I could have made the 90 minute trip from Philly to screening if it wasn't for the damn GPS.

I did catch a few people going in like Rufus Wainwright and his boyfriend of 3 years boyfriend Jorn Weisbrodt. And I say it with the 3 years, as Rufus was always a wild party boy. I just saw him in Wilmington De a few months back. Not completely impressed, I guess he's an acquired taste. His sister Lucy opened for him and I enjoyed her; funny story teller she is. Awww Steve Buscemi he's great Carol Alt looking better than ever, even though I think she sucks at Celebrity Apprentice I caught that Amy on her way out, although she didn't give me fashion, would only pose for this one shot, and her big headed assistant was behind her.

This is it for the week, I am off to NYC to cover the big opening of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and the afterparty. I dread doing an all nighter, but that's what I am planning to do as Amtrak refuses to run trains at midnight, bastards!! So it's the 4AM train for me. Hmm can I stay awake that long? I am practicing as its 2AM right now.

A Celebrity's Mom can be Celebrity enough to get Published

2008-03-05T00:23:00.003-05:00

I had a nice shot in the Philly Inquirer this past week. Do you know who this is? She's an author of cookbooks. These were not the shots that got published, but they were shots I sent in to get published. I kinda wanted them to chose the shots with the chef so I could promote the resturaunt too, I was even going to make the shot tighter, like they always tell me to do but in the end

in the end he chose the right one. This tells the story of Bam Magera's mother and mother-in-law as celebrity chef's at the Liver Foundation's 4th Annual Flavor of Philadelphia charity eventPlaying with fire, April Margera (left), mother of "Jackass" star Bam Margera, finishes creme brulees forthe Flavors of Philadelphia. With her at the Tuesday benefit was Marian Rothstein, Bam's mother-in-law. (Philadelphia Inquirer 3/2/08)

ANOTHER BIRD BRAIN IDEA

2008-03-04T00:51:00.002-05:00

Check out my other blog for an Ashlee Simpson visit to the Philadelphia area and a celebrity story... http://www.phillychitchat.com/

THE STREAK IS OVER, Susan Lucci wins the Emmy for Best Actress

2008-03-03T10:56:00.002-05:00

I still remember those immortal words for my beloved Susan Lucci, from All My Children, shown here last night at the Broadway Cares ABC Soap event in NYC. These are the untouched, uncropped versions as I got in at 2AM and worked on photos I took from a movie screening earlier in the evening until 4am, then ran out of time before I hit the bed. (TMI i know!) She looks fabulous, knows how to make a photographer happy, plays with the camera, has an amazing body for a 60 year old and knows how to work her badgley mishka dress her hands look a thousand percent better than Madonna's, and M is only 49Sure she's been freshened, but who can really tell, except most 60 year olds have a little wrinkle

The streak was over almost 10 years ago, and then the streak of not being nominated started. But we don't care, we love our Erica Kane and our Miss Lucci

Ellen DeGeneres Discusses The Recent Murder of Lawrence King's Death

2008-02-29T12:56:00.002-05:00

Thanks to http://nightlifegay.blogspot.com/ for the intial post, I had no idea about this murder.

THE BROADWAY SHOW WICKED IN GERMAN - Defying Gravity so awesome

2008-02-28T02:11:00.000-05:00

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE?

2008-02-26T00:06:00.003-05:00

I am in the middle of this project which is compiling a list of "tear sheets" so that I can apply to a few events coming up. It's easier now that a lot of medium have "website" counterparts in addition to hard copies. So to compile you do searches on your name, in conjunction with subjects and other tricks, as you don't always know where your stuff goes. But one thing I do require under both my blogs is that no matter what if someone takes a photo off my site they have to give me credit, I guess even if it shows up on an X-Rated site, and this photo of Lucie Arnez is not even close to that, but an X-rated site lifted it (Click at your own risk, I didn't!): LUCY ARNEZ FULL SCREEN PICTURES AND VIDEOSHUGHE DILLON For The Inquirer HUGHE DILLON For The Inquirer "244 x 320 - 19k". was red about Lucy was her hair was red about Lucy was her hair ...www.pussygood.com/pussy/LUCY-ARNEZ.html

I'M FUCKING BEN AFFLECK VIDEO - Jimmy Kimmel

2008-02-25T02:15:00.005-05:00

Simon says, sure it may be a cheap way to get a lot of hits today (if only I had signed up for advertising 150,000 hits ago!!), but the truth is I want to watch it all day long and share it with all my friends too... THIS IS THE FUNNIEST VIDEO, see if you can pick out all the celebrities!!! OMG OMG OMG where are my depends, this video is so funny.

THE OSCARS AND Jimmy Kimmel I'M FUCKING BEN AFFLECK

2008-02-25T01:01:00.005-05:00

THE TWO BEST THINGS ABOUT LAST NIGHTS OSCARS - My prediction of Marion Cotillard's Oscar win last April when I first saw the movie.

http://hughe2030.blogspot.com/2007/04/la-vie-en-rose.html

Marion Cotillard did more than become a new Academy Awards darling on Sunday. She also denied a long-established one. With a phenomenal performance as singer Edith Piaf in "La Vie En Rose," Cotillard pulled an upset win for best actress over Julie Christie, who had been the favorite to claim a second Oscar 42 years after she won for "Darling." "Wow. Well, I'm speechless now," a tearful Cotillard said, her French-accented voice quivering as she accepted the award. "It is true ... angels in this city. Thank you so, so much." Backstage, her delight was even less restrained. "It feels so good. I'm totally overwhelmed with joy and sparkles and fireworks and everything which goes like bom-bom-bom," Cotillard said.

AND AFTER THE SHOW - THE JIMMY KIMMEL and he's fucking Ben Affleck (as soon as the video is up on youtube you I will download it or you should see it. It was fucking amazing, creative, brilliant, in fact it should get a Golden Globe!! RUN DON'T WALK TO SEE THIS VIDEO

http://hughe2030.blogspot.com/2008/02/im-fucking-ben-affleck-video-jimmy.html

http://abc.go.com/latenight/jimmykimmel/

CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE PAPARAZZO hmm I like the title of this news article, I wonder where they got the idea?

2008-02-23T12:27:00.001-05:00

I am a fan of these two kids, but maybe not of their parents.

http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/sunday-review/living/confessions-of-a-teenage-paparazzo-782219.html

I don't believe for one minute that they don't send their photos to an agency, and only put the shots on their blog to earn ad revenue. But if that's they case, let's give them a few more readers and a few more bucks.

http://www.pintsizepaparazzi.com/portfolio.aspx

Baird Jones Found Dead

2008-02-22T13:00:00.005-05:00

Most people might not know who this is, but for someone like me that reads a lot of gossip and celebrity stuff, Baird provided info like no one else and he didn't do the tips anonymously. People wanted to be quoted by Baird, and if Baird reported it, then it must be true. http://www.bairdjones.net/Interviews.aspx http://www.websterhall.com/nightclub/inthenews/ There will surely be a gapping hole in the gossip community from here on out. The New York Daily News' Ben Widdicombe reports I'll miss Baird Jones, his ballsy style, his man about town ways. I'm sure I have seen him around NYC, but I never got a chance to say thanks. This business is really about PR, and gossip is just getting the word out about something, and Baird was the best at getting the word out. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/22/baird-jones-found-dead_n_87947.html

"COVER" Screening Philadelphia - I appreciate that they chose to shoot the film in Philly, but it stops there

2008-02-22T00:35:00.007-05:00

One of this year's most popular films at the 16th Annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) was Bill Duke's "Cover," a film about the downlow---surprise surprise. "Cover" was so popular that one encore wouldn't accommodate the hundreds of people that showed up to see it, so a third screening was added. Starring Aunjanue Ellis, Razaaq Adoti, Vivica A. Fox, Richard Gant, Mya, Louis Gossett, Jr., Leon, Paula Jai Parker, Roger Guenveur Smith, Patti LaBelle and Obba Babatunde, "Cover" tells the story of Ryan Chambers (Leon) who is murdered on New Year's Eve, the prime suspect is Valerie Maas (Aunjanue Ellis), a church-going homemaker whose life unravels when she discovers that her husband (Razaaq Adoti) of 15 years has been leading a double life. Her strength of character and faith keeps the family alive as a deadly disease threatens to destroy all that they have known. Producer Corey Redmond and GPFO executive director Sharon Pinkenson Husband and DL instigator, Razaaq Adoti Hot, Sexy Mya, or Mya Harrison as she now wants to be known as "Cover" is set to open in limited theatrical release this week on February 22. Limited as in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia, Newark, and Baltimore. (I could have done a lot better on this shot, "the Money Shot", but there was a table in front of her and she wasn't in any mood for me to move her and the poster to a better location. I thought it was all about the promotion of the movie, and she is Mya. Oh well. I will wait to see the movie on DVD if I see it at all; as Jasmyne A. Cannick ( jasmynecannick.com) states in News Blaze: '"Cover" tells the typical and for me tired story of the brotha who did the sista wrong. We've been there and seen that before. It doesn't necessarily portray gay men, bisexual men, or men on the downlow in the most positive light, not that you need too to discuss the downlow. But the plot that always includes the sista done wrong is a bit overplayed and does nothing to address the reason why the downlow exists in the first place. Instead, it continues to point the finger of blame while using an all-star cast to keep its audience enthralled." I was hard pressed to find a positive review of this movie, but I did find a clip of it here: http://www.queerty.com/movie-blows-downlow-cover-20080220/ http://loldarian.blogspot.com/2007/05/bill-duke-covers-down-low.html If you have a printed good review I would be more than happy to link it. I do think the word needs to get out, but maybe a documentary or PSA spots on TV might be a good start. Maybe honest communication, not damnation might go along way.

HAPPY TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO ME AND CONFESSIONS OF A PAPARAZZI - Sophia Bush

2008-02-21T01:14:00.006-05:00

The night I shot these photos was the two year anniversary of my blog, Confessions of a Paparazzi. I've enjoyed it, its great to have a record of these two years in case I ever write my book on how little 'ol me fell into this biz. I would never have thought it, and I didn't plan it and I wish I had had a clue when I started this blog because I would have been so much richer 'cause I lived in NYC and I stayed until the attendees at a party excited. Sorta what happened this night, 1/31/08. It's the after party for the documentary of the Marc Jacobs/Louis Vuitton event that was at the Tribeca. I knew nothing about her, except she is on some show called One Tree Hill, which I know nothing about. But this girl is beautiful, with skin that's porcelin. Thankfully someone asked her to take her clothes off. It was about 20F and windy out. I being the too nice of guy, just wouldn't be able to do that, he being the hungry guy that needs to get paid to eat, well lets just say I like shooting with guys like that. I am entirely too wimpy to be that aggressive.I was so on the wrong side of her, but you know this photo sold anyway as I cropped it down and it was a good shoot of the back of her dress and you could recognize her. I included this version as you can see she is outside and the girl on her left has a leather fur coat on and gloves. It was cold. I never did make it over to the correct side to shoot her because it was bang, bang, bang and she put her coat back on.

MARIE OSMOND DOLL SIGNING AT BOSCOV'S LANGHORNE PA

2008-02-19T01:39:00.003-05:00

Boscov's just started carrying Marie Osmond's line of dolls, and to celebrate Marie made one of her first visits to the Philly area, not included her hawking the line at QVC up the road.

I think this guy was confused and thought she said dog signing No it was doll, defininetly doll. Marie signed at least 400 dolls for the 700 people that showed up. I am sure she would have signed the rest had she not been so amazingly generous posing for photos with each of her fans. So take that Rachael Ray and smoke it.

The Carpenters' home in path of wreck ball

2008-02-18T13:36:00.003-05:00

She was the Amy Winehouse of the Seventies: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2008/02/17/2008-02-17_carpenters_home_in_path_of_wreck_ball.html DOWNEY, Calif. - Fans of The Carpenters now have something else to be down about besides rainy days and Mondays. The owners of Karen and Richard Carpenter's former home - the house where an anorexic Karen collapsed in 1983 before dying - want to tear it down. Manuel and Blanca Melendez Parra have grown weary of the legions of fans who visit to pay tribute to the sibling crooners. The Parras used to invite the fans into their home, but that close-to-you feeling has given way to despair. The couple has asked Downey city officials for permission to raze the five-bedroom tract house, where the Carpenters penned some of their greatest hits. The proposal to level the residence - featured on The Carpenters' "Now and Then" album cover in 1973 - has fans feeling less than on top of the world.

TO MY READER FAN AT Johnson and Wales

2008-02-15T10:13:00.002-05:00

I tried to send you an email, it keeps getting rejected. Have fun at the Oscars and Good luck on your tests next week. HughE

THE FULL ON RED DRESS FASHION SHOW

2008-02-15T00:20:00.002-05:00

I know I touched on this event before, but this event really was important to me. It was my dream event to shoot someday and I couldn't believe I was credentialed to shoot inside the tents. To be qualified you needed to have had two photos "Fashion Photos" published in the last 6 months. I got one right under the wire with Victoria Beckham, which was published in LOOK UK in December. I had always want to shoot the Red Dress event, as it was one of the first events I my "Fan" friends took me to see after I moved to NYC. So to actually be there that Friday morning two weeks ago to shoot it was just a dream come true for me. I had never shot a "fashion show" before and thankfully spent the night before doing a lot of research. I learned that the lights were "hot" enough to shoot without a flash. That's exactly what I did. As we go further in the week you will see the difference when I used flash, and when I realized that it was entirely too bright to do so. The photos came out great without the flash. Here is Jenna Fischer from The Office. Rita Moreno a latina legend, in fact a legend period. I got chills just watching her come down the red runway The finale and all the girls Sadly when Camryn Manheim walked the runway the first time I had no idea it was her and I didn't really take any photos. I really have to get those bifocals - lol The last act. Although I can't stand W, I was thrilled to see Laura Bush in person. Why she wore white on "Red Dress Day" just baffles my mind.

This was such a fun event and I am so glad that so many people video'd it so you can enjoy it too. The AP guy must have been right in front of me as the angle seems to be the same.

I PRIDE MYSELF ON HAVING A BLOG THAT USES MY OWN PHOTOS, it's original.

2008-02-14T08:42:00.004-05:00

Check my photos out in US Weekly on the stand now. Pg 77

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGIH_enUS261US261&q=dillon%2fwenn

http://www.google.com/search?q=dillon/wenn&hl=en&rlz=1T4GGIH_enUS261US261&filter=0

http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/11541321.html

RACHAEL ZOE PHOTO TRICKS

2008-02-14T00:44:00.005-05:00

Whether you are shooting an event or doing it paparazzi style there are two shots you must get. The fashion shot, which is head to toe, (and you guys know I have issues, I am always giving too much head [insert joke here] and not enough toe, as I cut them off ie see her left foot.) The other must shot is the head shot. When a celebrity is walking this quickly, and.or when I am having camera drama, like I did all week and will get into later, you can still get the headshot by cropping the "Fashion Shot", as I did here. Shooting with a 10 mgpxl camera allows for cropping a shot and still maintaining the integrity of the photo.

This is the shot that was published on Perez Hilton (see the Confessions entry two days ago), but before he wrote the words "Denied" on it. So out of this one shot you can actually get two salable shots. And why is miss thing carrying her fur if she doesn't want us to get that fashion shot? Happy Valentines Day, and thanks for reading me, I sure do appreciate it.

YIKES I WOKE UP LATE, COULD YOU CHECK

2008-02-13T08:47:00.003-05:00

http://www.phillychitchat.com/ as I did an entry there; plus I need to download a resizer for my new computer, any suggestions? Thanks HughE

ONE OF MY PHOTO WAS ON PEREZ HILTON SATURDAY

2008-02-12T08:05:00.000-05:00

Say what you want about Perez, but he is a force of nature with thousands of readers who get to see my work, even though it doesn't have my credit, but it does have WENN's. I took this Thursday night at the Waverly Inn, which is NYC's answer to the Ivy. It's owned by a celebrity, Vanity Fair publisher Graydon Carter, and celebrities frequent it. The part I don't like about going there is it is in the middle of a neighborhood, in fact Harvey Weinstein, Gretchen Moll, Liv Tyler and SJP all live in the environs, but for the half dozen time I have been there no one has come out to complain. Right before I shot this, Rachael said to Justin Campbell, "No you may not take my photo, it always ends up on Perez and he never draws a nice penis on my face!"

FASHION WEEK IS OVER AND IT WAS GREAT, TIRING, EXHILIRATING....

2008-02-11T02:05:00.000-05:00

FASHION WEEK IS OVER AND IT WAS GREAT, TIRING, EXHILIRATING, AWESOME AND AS ALWAYS I enjoyed seeing my friends, acquaintances, meeting new people esp Justin Campbell from Buzz Photo - that kid is going to be great in this field if he just takes a chill pill, and learning my craft; oh and shooting celebrities. Did I mention I am in US Weekly on Pg 77 and today in the Philadelphia Inquirer pg. B2, oh and Perez Hilton - a Rachael Zoe shot, and countless other websites. THANKS KATIE AND SIMON FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY!!

Alexis Dziena at Planet Hollywood

2008-02-08T04:16:00.001-05:00

I got into town about 2:30PM, dropped my stuff off at my friends and then went to Planet Hollywood for this event: Alexis Dziena at Planet Hollywood signing the movie's poster and then donating it to the resturaunt. They also named a sundae after her and the movie the "Alexis Dziena Fools Gold Sundae" It was gigantic and look delicious as I was starving. Check out the movie which opens today: http://foolsgoldmovie.warnerbros.com/ OK its 4:30AM, I hope to get some sleep and then catch Project Runway sometime early AM

MADONNA GUCCI PHOTOS I MISSED AND NEED TO GET IN THE NEXT 48HRS

2008-02-07T11:55:00.000-05:00

I am just about to hop on my train to NYC. Hopefully I did enough research to find some of the people I missed last night when I was rejected by Madonna's press people. Actually almost everyone I know was rejected but 3 people. Some were lucky enough to get outside shots, I didn't think it would be possible so I skipped going at all. As for the next 36 hrs I hope I found all the important party info and can only hope most of the paps didn't get the info yet. Its always catch up time for me since I don't live there, I have to stay one step ahead of them. This is the last entry til next week. Thanks for coming. And if you have a tip send me an email.

THIS IS MY FAVORITE PHOTO FROM FASHION WEEK: LISA RINNA

2008-02-06T22:47:00.000-05:00

I took it at the Red Dress event, the first "inside the Tent" fashion show for me, I was extremely nervous already. It's of Lisa Rinna shimminging for her husband Harry Hamlin who was in the front row.as I was standing on a 4 foot high step stool with a 4 inch top step quivering as I was thinking I would fall at any minute and crash into the photographers next to me.

VIVICA FOX LEAVES BABY PHAT SHOW and tells off a fan

2008-02-05T23:41:00.000-05:00

Before I get into what this photo is about, I have to tell you I took in on Friday night, well not the top photo, but the bottom one. In fact I am in the top photo to the right, as usual in my rush I am on the wrong side of my subject. Nonetheless I did correct myself. I would normally show you all the photos in the series, but I am back home in Philly working my day job, and I left my laptop with all my photos at my friends house as I will be back at Fashion Week on Thursday. I still have my day job, had I gotten in this racket 10 years ago, well maybe things would be different, but it's damn hard work, which I will write more about next week when I have all my photos with me. Anyway, Friday night I would have gone straight to Baby Phat, but it was pouring rain, the event was held at a nightclub, I was not credentialed to shoot it, even though I wrote a glowing love letter to Kimora, and the next time I see her I will tell her about it, she really is a sweetheart, anyway I got a call from a friend who was there and told me I should come by, the rain had stopped and things were looking good for exits. I left the Tents and dashed the 15 blocks to this event, even with the million cabs its hard to find one at 10PM in NYC on a Friday, so I get there, and of course go to the "stage door" thinking that is where everyone would leave, the VIPs I mean. Nope, it was the front. I catch my friends they tell me everyone that has left and I am disappointed in myself that I was slow, stupid and well lots of things, soaking wet being one of them. So Vivica Fox comes out, I'm excited, she's kinda B list now, working towards C List, but she looks fabulous and her next movie "Cover" will be premiering in Philly in a couple weeks and maybe the shoot will be picked up there, or heck I will just post it on my Philly Blog 'cause the movie was shot in Philly and that's a Philly thing. So my TMZ friend stops and asks her questions about Eve Mendes going into rehab (That's the latest craze I guess); it was a great opportunity for me as Vivica stopped to get face time. At the same time a "Fan" ie see yesterday's entry, starts yelling he wants "to get a picture with her", whe tells him off, and that's why my photos are so good because she's visibly disturbed. The best one isn't even here, 'cause I have one of her pointing at the guy who was yelling, and he was standing behind me. http://www.tmz.com/2008/02/04/vivica-to-eva-honey-i-know-how-ya-feel/

I WAS IN THE NY DAILY NEWS RUSH & MALLOY COLUMN yesterday

2008-02-05T12:03:00.000-05:00

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2008/02/04/2008-02-04_no_dodging_brooklyn_celebritychaser.html If I don't come back alive from fashion week look for this stalker fan... http://hughe2030.blogspot.com/2008/01/gandolfini-attacks-1-fan-see-who-else.html

Start Spreading the News

2008-02-04T01:48:00.000-05:00

Behind the scene stories will begin this week, I will get sleep and my blisters will go away Here's a shot I took at the Heart Healthy Red Dress fashion show of Liza singing "New York, New York.

THIS IS WHAT I LIKE TO CALL "I'M GONNA DO YOU IN THE CAB IN NYC!"

2008-02-01T03:55:00.000-05:00

Coming back from an awesome Marc Jacobs Party around 1AM, I notice the folks next to me doing a little something extra in a cab as we both travelled up 6th Ave towards Central Park. I didn't think they had an expectation to privacy, I mean you should have seen the show they were putting on for their driver and the rest of us rubber neckers.

HERE'S GOES....MY FASHION WEEK SHOOTING SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEKEND

2008-01-30T23:24:00.000-05:00

Friday, February 1 10:00AM Heart Truth – The Tent 12:00PM Duckie Brown – The Salon (waiting to hear) 3:00PM BCBG Max Azria (Confirmed) 5:00PM Rag & Bone – Cipriani 42nd (Waiting to hear from) 6:00PM Nicole Miller – The Salon (Confirmed) 7:00PM Erin Featherston – The Promenade (Confirmed) 8:00PM Baby Phat – Roseland (Waiting) 8:00PM Project Runway Designers (outside arrivals) 9:00PM Venexiana – The Salon (Confirmed) Saturday, February 2 10:00AM Lacoste – The Tent (confirmed) 12:00PM Costello Tagliapietra 15 E 27th St (waiting to hear) 3:00PM Alexandre Herchcovitch (Confirmed) 5:00PM Alexander Wang ( (Confirmed and excited) 8:00PM Rock & Republic (Waiting to hear, but I will be shooting AP) Sunday, February 3 11:00AM Herve Leger by Max Azria (Confirmed) 2:00PM Preen 635 w. 42nd St. (Waiting), will shoot arrivals if not credentialed. 3:00PM Tracy Reese - Will shoot arrivals outside 4:00PM DVF – I have tickets for her show and will shoot as much as they allow me. 6:00PM Charlotte Ronson – (Waiting)

7:00PM Tuleh – The Promenade - Waiting, but shouldn't be a problem to shoot because of Super Bowl 7:00PM Kirsten Dunst Sweater Show 8:00PM Miss Sixty – The Tent; Waiting, but again Super Bowl

Gandolfini Attacks #1 Fan! See who else he's a #1 Fan of..

2008-01-30T14:40:00.000-05:00

James Gandolfini — the "Sopranos" TV mobster who made a living rubbing out nuisances, including his own kin — whacked a self-proclaimed "No. 1 fan" in the face at JFK Airport on Tuesday.

Click here to see video

Sporting a grizzly beard and wary with jet lag, Gandolfini had just stepped off a red-eye flight from L.A. after Sunday night's SAG awards when autograph hound Jason Ertischek, 24, of Brooklyn approached him with a piece of paper and pen in hand. "Can I be a 'Sopranos' baby?" Ertischek asked the star in a whiny, tough-guy accent. Gandolfini, with new wife Deborah Lin by his side, ignored Ertischek as paparazzi snapped away. Then the hulking actor suddenly whipped around and smushed the man's face with his hand. Click here for the rest of the New York Post report.

Two weeks ago this same opportunist gave Katherine Heigl a gift of Nicorette patches. Check out the video with the #1 fan handing her the boxes. (I think TMZ is making a fortune off this kid) http://www.tmz.com/2008/01/16/katherine-heigl-ready-to-patch-things-up/

I wrote about this same "autograzzi" last July after the last celebrity he stalked told me about the incident you won't believe:

http://hughe2030.blogspot.com/2007/07/michael-bubl-and-crazy-stalker-fan-at.html

BUMMER TURNED DOWN FOR THE MADONNA EVENT

2008-01-30T01:38:00.000-05:00

But I am shooting the Red Dress Event on Friday. That's a big get for me, I am usually relegated to the elements outside the tents near the stage door. Thank you for your red carpet credential request for the Gucci/Madonna event, "A Night to Benefit Raising Malawi and UNICEF," on February 6th. Unfortunately we cannot accommodate your request -- we will keep your information and contact you should the status change. For additional information, please contact: Best, Laura

GUCCI AND HUGHE GO GAGA FOR NEW YORK

2008-01-28T22:15:00.001-05:00

Confessions is winding down as we gear up for NYC's Fall Fashion Week 2008. I have been sending letters to the houses day and night, doing extensive research to determine all the right parties for me to cover and preparing my equiptment for intensive coverage for my agency and for my readers. One of the most exciting events I hope to cover is the Gucci/Mawli/Madonna event next Wednesday. I haven't heard if I am in yet, but my fingers are crossed.

With its largest flagship in the world opening on Fifth Avenue during New York Fashion Week, complete with a sparkling charity bash hosted by Madonna on February 6, the Italian house launched today an online valentine to the Big Apple. The site, with a cute URL of Gucci Loves NY, offers a preview of the massive retail temple--designed by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini and celebrity architect James Carpenter. It also features Madonna's "I Love New York" as soundtrack; a Google map with Frida and designer Mark Lee's favorite shops, eateries, nightclubs and other haunts; pics and entries from established bloggers and, well, whomever wants to contribute. Gucci will add the best entries to the map and the four top posts will score a limited-edition Gucci Loves NY handbag.

As usual I will try and do entries of my days events, although they might not always include photos. I leave on Thursday to pick up my credentials at the Tents. Oh and I am attending the DVF show with my friend Kati.