Kyle Sandilands, Jackie O & Friends. Credit: Damian Baker.

By the NewsHooker

A look behind the scenes of celebrity photojournalism (and other events) with the NewsHooker.

Back on solid ground now after a few days on the yacht with the testosterone heavy end of the family tree. Wow that was an insightful few days. You learn a lot about yourself when you are intravenously force fed your genes and their mutations for five days.

Lots of laughter, sun burn, some yelling, a little bit of swearing but all in all we are still family.

Along the way I did a bit of research at a few coal facilities, (the old motor bike is a great way to avoid inquisitive security guards) and nailed some nice images of Sydney Harbour as we sailed in to fulfil Dad’s lifelong dream of sailing through the Sydney heads.

Seems I had managed to do more with the camera on holidays than I do in a work week, all while having a good time, but by the time I jumped ship to arrive late for the red carpet Sydney premiere of “Mao’s Last Dancer,”  I had my land legs back.

Celebrities ‘ham it up’ for the NewsHooker

I missed the ducks on the red carpet shoot but hung in at the incredible State Theatre building to cover the exit alone. John Laws and the princess (John’s description of his wife not mine) were the first to leave.

Apparently failing to spot the 25 ft Gold Rolls Royce parked, with hazard lights on and under police guard directly in front of him, John propped, we had a chat and he let me get a few shots. Jack Thompson, Michael Caton, Aden Young, Tara Moss and David Wendham were all decent enough to ham it up for the silly bastard that missed the red carpet and had to hang around until ten o’clock.

Then I packed up my gear, thanked the theatre security staff for their help, hopped on the trusty old bike and headed to Pete’s. It was good to relax, editing the images with Pete, “…drinking a Drambuie havin’ a laugh.” And they call this work!!!

Peter is a 62-year-old, joint-smoking, whiskey-drinking legend who has done it all and been everywhere in his 45 years working in the industry.

He has befriended me and, I’m privileged to say, has become a mentor as well as a good mate. He is known by all as “Papa of the Ratzi” and its no secret that I love his company.

Lola van Vorst. Credit: Damian Baker.

Paparazzi or Celebrity Photography whatever you call it, is a strange game. I’m making silly money taking photos of people who want, and in fact need people like me to do it. I get to go to the best parties in town, see all the best movies, eat the food, drink the liquor and get paid to do it.

Sometimes life is too good to understand so just run with it. However I’m keen to use the cash to explore other opportunities, so, if all goes to plan I will bag the dollars and fuck off spending the money on some real photojournalism.

One I’m keen to do is in Papua New Guinea,so many stories that need covering, but I’ll keep my powder dry on that for the time being and will fill you in on those details as the story progresses.

Brendan Nelson & Mrs Nelson. Credit: Damian Baker.

So at the moment its paping the celebrities for Papa; doing Kyle Sandilands and his Crew at Wooloomooloo, the Hilton Zeta Bar with Paulini, Sarah Murdoch and her breast cancer awareness benefit with Brendan Nelson. As it all rolls on I’m shooting and while I’m shooting I’m smiling.

I wound up the week with a free viewing of the new Bruce Willis movie in the Gold Class Theatre (thanks to Nova radio’s hospitality) and, as I lay back in the reclining chairs enjoying the full waiter service, I fell asleep, spilling the red wine on the carpet.

Reflecting on all these events carefully at the end of a tumultuous week, I sometimes can’t help but wonder: “what the fuck the world has come to?”

Every week theangle.org’s very own NewsHooker takes a witty or jaundiced look (depending on the assignment) behind the scenes of the sausage factory that is photojournalism in this country.

Tags: celebrity, newshooker, paparrazzi, photojournalism