Wow! – A Red Carpet – Finally a chance to wear that dress I’d wrestled away from two fashion bloggers at an Armani Sample Sale..
But the more I thought about it – Red Carpet notwithstanding – the dress and heels would have to go with 30 pounds of camera gear in tow..
As I read on my heart beat faster: “opening night attendees: “De Caprio, Clooney, Redford, Madonna, Bionce, Lady Gaga..” This could mean a serious chance at the money shot.. media outlets outbidding each other. If I could pull this off I’d be in the black again…
Preparation was essential – I went over the checklist: – cleaned lenses, charged chargers, flashed flashes with snuffers and Fongs …
And most important of all the Manual.. A slight review…
The day of: I arrived early – Major press outlets were already lining up. This was definitely the big leagues..
I presented my credentials to KPR press coordinator, Norma Star, who flipped pages: “NBC, ABC, Cosmo, HuffPost, Getty, Daily Beast, Nightly Sharks…”
“New York 1, Bronx 2, Staten Island 4, …. Oh there you are.. ” Norma was pointing so far back I’d need a taxi just to get there…
But it would take more than a PR snub to deter this pro.. I spied my colleagues and joined the front lines. It was great – to be back among my fellow artists – swapping war stories, trading tech talk..
Then came the press briefing..” Welcome everyone. You know the drill – arrivals three minutes apart. We expect a good turnout tonight” Tip sheets were distributed…and they were impressive.
The first arrival – Amy Adams fresh off “American Hustle” and OMG – Ann Hathaway a veritable toothpick but gorgeous??!! They flashed million dollar smiles directly in front of my post.
And that wall spelled G-E-T-T-Y – The mother of all photo houses – Now my only view was a tent pole and the over coiffed head of a Hungarian stringer!
So much for my Canon 5D Mark 111 and L series telephoto. What I needed was a 3 foot fiberglass Werner stepladder!!
Luckily I spied one just behind the tent pole. Solution found! Except that it’s rightful owner, Courtney from Cosmo made it abundantly clear she wasn’t sharing-
During our negotiations, we nearly missed a celebrity spotting – George and Amal Clooney heading towards the stage door. The press took off down 65th street.
I joined the herd – my heart pumping, adrenalin flowing, sneakers pounding, I’d get those shots if it killed me.
Suddenly a guy from “Live at Five” spotted Beyoncé in a taxi and veered off catching my right foot in his microphone cable. I bounced along the sidewalk like a lassoed heifer until we came to a full stop.
Mr. “Live at Five” didn’t miss a beat – executing a plier jeté over my body he rejoined the pack. With whatever wind I had left I yelled – “Are you insane? Beyoncé in a taxi??!!!”
Main squeeze Tyler Kinney joined us and we went to work..
And the best part of all – Gaga and Tyler invited me to their engagement party. .. Where I got to wear that Armani number after all. Life is good… you betcha!