Backstage photos at the Oscars 2007

My friend, Christine, is one lucky girl.

Christine is a friend of mine and also a fellow photographer. Last year she took a leap of faith and flew out to L.A. to see what she could attempt in the celebrity photography world. She got into the Oscars and shot some amazing shots. Her work was even put into some local shows. Not many people from Tiny Town, USA gets a front row spot on the red carpet shooting pictures. Well, she followed her heart again and had the same great opportunity this year. She wrote to me this morning, sending some pictures, asking for prayers, and saying that she'd be coming home on Sunday.

How lucky is she? Well, take a look at these pictures and all the celebrities that stop so that she can shoot pictures of them.

Some of my favorites: Charlize Theron, Joaquin Phoenix, Sandra Bullock, Jake Gyllenhaal, Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard (both performing at an Oscar charity event), Victoria Rowell (this one excites me because I am a huge Y&R fan and she is GORGEOUS!), Debbi Morgan (another favorite soap actress of mine!), and Niecy Nash's birthday party (oh my, are those real??!) - I want a birthday party like hers with gifts like that!

I really think she found her calling. You can see her pictures here. And if that link does not work for some reason, check them out here.

Way to go, Christine! We're proud of you!

My Favorite Oscar Moments

I thought Reese looked absolutely stunning. Being single again is working in her favor!


And Jennifer Hudson? I can't get enough of her. Winning and Oscar?! Hello!! She was just on American Idol and didn't even win! Look what she has shown Simon now! I bet he is sweatin' so bad wishing he had her under one of his contracts. Way to go, Jennifer! We are all so proud of you, and so is your grandmother looking down on you from above . . .



Maggie Gyllenhal - look how amazing she looks after just having a baby!



Penelope Cruz - I looooooved her dress. I would wear this one in a heart beat. Maybe I can get her to loan me this one for next year's Oscars at Jen's? Wait, it's Vintage Chanel. Probably not.



Will Ferrill, Jack Black and John C. Reilly, SO FUNNY!



And then my favorite part of the evening . . . Forest Whitaker's acceptance speech. His last line just stuck with me. We should all live our life with this sort of daily conviction, "I thank . . .God, who believes in us all - and who has given me this moment in this lifetime that I will hopefully carry to the end of my lifetime and into the next lifetime."




And Ellen. Perfect, just perfect. I hope she does it again in 2008. I haven't laughed so much in a long time.

Wishing I were at the Oscars again . . .

It's just not the same watching it on tv versus actually being there. . .

I wonder if I will ever win an Academy Award again? Or wear Oscar de la Renta again made especially for my post-pregnancy body? Or have my hair done by Carsen Bailey? Or get half million dollar diamonds to wear for the night for free? Or be wisked away in the shiniest black limo you've ever seen? Or receive an Oscar goody bag costing over $20,000? Or get to sit by Oprah Winfrey again? (I actually met her, you know?) Or walk the red carpet in my black Manolo Blahniks?
Oh the memories. . .

I will never forget.