REAL LIVES: A week in the life of a paparazzi photographer.

Byline: Words: Naomi Greenaway

Monday

Arrive at Sadler's Wells theatre at 8am, where Madonna's rehearsing for her play, Up for Grabs - I've been sent by my agency to get a snap. I've never met Madge before but I was a crazy fan when I was younger so I'm v. excited. It's raining heavily and my umbrella isn't doing a great job of keeping me dry. By lunchtime my excitement has been replaced by a feeling of general dampness, but at 1 o'clock the pop goddess arrives. She's all in black, wearing Gucci sunglasses and clutching a Louis Vuitton bag. I manage to take about 10 photos before she darts into the theatre. Because it's all so quick and I'm looking through a lens, I don't have time to think, `Wow, Madonna.' There's only one other photographer so it's likely my photos will be used. I have to wait until she comes out and have no idea how long it's going to be. I begin to feel incredibly bored and my stomach starts to rumble. I ate my packed lunch hours ago and I can't leave my spot in case I miss her. At 8 o'clock Madge finally emerges and I snap her again. After 12 hours of waiting and

15 seconds of working, it's been

a soggy but successful day.

Tuesday

I open the Daily Mirror and see my photo of Madonna. It's exciting to see it in print but unfortunately I earn a yearly salary of pounds 14,000, so financially it makes no difference where my photos end up.

Next I set off to the BT Tower for a photo call with Gareth Gates, the Children In Need bear, and a bunch of balloons. I expect Gareth to be a bit stiff but in fact he seems totally relaxed posing with his arm around a stuffed toy. Today I have to work harder to get a good shot because I'm competing with 15 other photographers for his attention, but one advantage of being a girl in this business is that my dulcet feminine tones stand out from all those deep voices, and he looks my way quite a few times.

At midday I go to The Ivy in Covent Garden - great for spotting A-list celebs going to lunch. I wait outside until 2pm but no one exciting turns up so I head off to another favourite celeb haunt, Bond Street. In the past I've spotted the likes of Beverley Bloom, Claudia Schiffer and Natalie Appleton (one of my favourite celebs - she's so friendly). Unfortunately, no one's here today.

Wednesday

My work day starts at 6pm outside the Garrick Theatre for the premiere of This Is Our Youth. I take pictures of actress Emilia Fox and Kenneth Lonergan, who wrote the play, but cast members, Matt Damon, Casey Affleck and Summer Phoenix are already inside. I catch them at the after-show party in Teatro. There are about 10 other photographers there so I have to use a bit of elbow to get some good pictures. Casey Affleck, Ben's little bro, is the first to leave.

I take a few shots as he walks out, then walk alongside him to carry on photographing him. Next the Phoenix clan emerge - Joaquin with a girl on his arm and sister Summer, but they're all incredibly hostile to us. Matt Damon is the last to leave, and waits for us to take photos. Just like John Cusack and Catherine Zeta-Jones in America's Sweethearts, he's an expert at turning on the charm for the cameras. After a few seconds of posing he says: `Any of you who haven't got that by now should take up painting.' After a dose of Phoenix treatment we appreciate the humour. I get home at 1am.

Thursday

This morning I attend a photocall with Jarvis Cocker, Richard Ashcroft and Kelly Jones, who are promoting a charity concert in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Fund. We're on the roof of the concert venue, Scala, in King's Cross, with a breathtaking view of London. As well as about 15 photographers, there are also TV and radio crews. There's an incredibly friendly vibe, which makes for some great

photo opportunities.

Friday

At 9am I head to Bond Street again. I'm with another photographer from my agency, which makes celeb-spotting that bit easier. It also means when the moment arrives we can take shots with both long and short lenses. It's quiet until mid afternoon, when I notice Lulu's blue jeep pull up outside Chanel - I keep a record of celebs' cars so I can tell when they're around. My partner takes photos of Lulu through the shop glass, then I take about 15 photos in the 10 seconds it takes her to get back into her car. Later, I get a tip from our office that Barbara Windsor is in Prada. Someone must have spotted her and called in. I manage to photograph her on her way out. She doesn't seem at all bothered by me snapping away. I think being photographed by a woman might seem less intrusive.

Saturday

We hear Liz Hurley is on her way back to London from Elton John's mansion in Windsor. It's a chance for the first photos of Liz with baby Damian. A few weeks ago I went to Elton's mansion and stood outside the gates all day but didn't spot anyone. I'm hoping for better luck today. At 9am I arrive on Liz's doorstep in Chelsea but the morning passes with no sign of her. By lunchtime my legs are aching but there's nowhere to sit with a good view. At 5pm Liz still hasn't arrived but it's time for me to head off.

The Hurleys are obviously having too much fun being baby-sat by Elton and David to come back home just yet.

VIDEO GIVEAWAY

We have 20 copies of America's Sweethearts to give away. Send a postcard with your name and address to M Celebs/America's Sweethearts Competition, PO Box 2203, London W1A 1PX by 5 June 2002. America's Sweethearts is out now to rent on VHS and buy on DVD courtesy of Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

CAPTION(S):

Pap life, from top: Lucy and her trusty lens; success - the pics in print; awaiting her next `victim' on Bond St; Gareth poses with Pudsey

Article Details

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Title Annotation:	Features
Publication:	Sunday Mirror (London, England)
Date:	May 26, 2002
Words:	1052
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