Largest US camera store seeks bankruptcy protection

Ritz Camera, the largest dedicated camera retailer in the US has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company, which owns over 800 stores across the country, under a series of names, including Wolf Camera, has proposed a restructuring plan that will aim to see the chain continue in some form. As part of this, the company has applied to the bankruptcy court for permission to continue to honor its customer loyalty and rebate schemes.

In an affidavit to the court Marc Weinsweig, appointed as Chief Restructuring Officer and COO as part of the Chapter 11 process, describes his actions as being aimed at 'maintaining the day-to-day operations of the company's business with minimal disruption' in what he characterizes as 'daunting economic times.'

Court papers suggest that Ritz Cameras owes over $40 million to its two largest creditors: Nikon's US subsidiary Nikon Inc. and Canon USA, with a further $8.4 million owed to Fujifilm USA, a subsidiary of which owns around a third of the company. To put the $26.6 million owed to Nikon Inc. into perspective, it would represent somewhere in the region of 20% of Nikon Inc's expected annual operating income.

Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code provides companies with protection from their creditors while they attempt to restructure. However, US retailer Circuit City, which filed for bankruptcy protection in November 2008 announced the closure of all its stores and the liquidation of its assets on January 16th.

Officials: Pentagon OKs media photos of war dead

Defense and congressional officials say news organizations will be allowed to photograph the homecomings of America's war dead under a new Pentagon policy.

The officials say Defense Secretary Robert Gates has decided to allow photos of flag-draped caskets at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, if the families of casualties agree.

Gates planned to announce his decision later Thursday. The current ban was put in place by President George H.W. Bush.

Photographer Annie Leibovitz pawns her life's work for a £10m loan to pay her mortgage

Photographer Annie Leibovitz has borrowed £10million against some of her most famous pictures to pay the mortgages on all her homes.

The artist, 59, has become so concerned with her mounting debt, accumulated on properties she inherited in 2004 after the death of her lover Susan Sontag, she has turned to a company that lends money with fine art as collateral.

Documents seen by the New York Times reveal she secured the funds by giving the company, Art Capital, ownership of all her work - past and future - until the loan is repaid.

Victim of the credit crunch? Annie Leibovitz with her famous portrait of a pregnant Demi Moore

The images include those taken for the 1981 Rolling Stone front cover of John Lennon and Yoko Ono shot on the day of Lennon's death, the photograph of a naked and pregnant Demi Moore, images of Michelle Obama for Vanity fair and of a semi-nude singer and actress Miley Cyrus taken for the same magazine.

Ian Peck, a co-owner of Art Capital, said Leibovitz was not alone in choosing to use her work to raise money at a time when share portfolios are plunging and homes have no equity left to borrow against.

One of Leibovitz's photographs for the Walt Disney Year of a Million Dreams campaign shows actress Scarlett Johansson, depicting Cinderella

'What's amazing is that individuals and institutions who previously we thought were untouchable are being deeply affected.

Leibovitz has shot Michelle Obama for this month's cover of U.S. Vogue magazine

'People who were truly enormous financially are now scrambling,' he said.

But he said many people found it very difficult to part with art work during times of hardship: 'It's akin to giving up your home, particularly for people who have built up collections over many years. People don't feel emotionally about stocks and bonds, but they certainly do over art.'

His company, dubbed an art pawn shop, issues loans of $500,000 (£350,000) or more at interest rates from 6 per cent to 16 per cent. Art becomes subject to sale if owners default.

The company has recently taken in - and put into secure and climate-controlled specialist art warehouses for safekeeping - pieces by Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, Henry Moore and Picasso.

Clients have also borrowed against vintage film posters, antique teddy bears and valuable scientific instruments.

Mr Peck said only about one in ten of the deals end in default: 'Our aim is to avoid defaulting at all costs. Given the trouble involved in a default, it's better karma and business not to.'

OSCARS 2009: Red carpet no-shows irk photogs

Among those less than enthused with the changes to this year's Oscarcast were the red carpet photographers.

There was much grumbling among the shutterbugs over the Academy's new policy of having some stars (Jennifer Aniston, Kristen Stewart, Katherine Heigl and Jessica Alba) enter through an off-camera back entrance. This way, their stylish couture was revealed for the first time when they came onstage to present or with key money shots during the telecast.

While this may have been an attempt to buck up the ratings, the photogs didn't see it as benefiting their finances.

"Magazines want photos from the red carpet -- the stars have spent hours getting ready and they're prepared to pose," said one. "We sell these photos all year. This is a disaster both for us and for the designers who want their dresses seen at the Oscars."

There were a few presenters on the red carpet who definitely expressed the feeling -- either verbally or with eye rolls -- that if they were coming to the Oscars, they were coming through the front door.

"We refused," said Phoebe Cates with husband Kevin Kline about going through the back entry. Sarah Jessica Parker laughed and said "We've been advised not to answer that question" when asked if she was nudged to skip the red carpet. And Miley Cyrus was clear she wanted to show off her gown.

"I didn't just walk into a store and just find this," said the young singer-thesp of her Zuhair Murad gown. "This is not a place to be toned down."

But even without some of the presenters, the scene on the carpet seemed active enough. Maybe down a bit from last year, but not by much.

"It a circus," said "The Reader" helmer Stephen Daldry, "but I like coming to a circus."

There were many facets to the fashion circus. Philip Seymour Hoffman wore a black wool watchman's cap. And Mickey Rourke was in a white suit, open at the collar with a picture of this recently deceased Chihuahua in a pendant around his neck.

Rourke noted that it's been 15 years since he's been invited to the Oscars. "You pay a price when you do things your way," said the best actor nominee.

And while the overwhelming feeling was joy at attending, Frank Marshall spoke for more than himself when he said: "I feel great but I'm glad we're at the end of the season."

Still, as in years past, being on the red carpet offered a consistent joy in show business -- relative unknowns relishing the recognition of an Oscar nomination.

"This is like a Cinderella story for me," said supporting nominee Taraji P. Henson. "Designers are throwing clothes and jewels at me -- it's an incredible ride."

Richard Jenkins who was nommed as actor for "The Visitor" said the experience "is amazing. And I'm eligible for Social Security next year."

"This is the epicenter of the glamour bomb," said thesp Michael Sheen, who was with the "Frost/Nixon" team. "When you're here, you know no other place on Earth is more glamorous."

Dev Patel, star of the multi-nominee "Slumdog Millionaire," still had his watch set to Bombay time. He said what he wanted most from Oscar night was a chance to meet Jim Carrey. "He's my idol," said the Indian thesp.

And on the less glamorous end of the film business, Irene Taylor Brodsky, whose docu on India's battle with polio "The Final Inch" copped a short documentary nod said: "This is the Holy Grail for documentary makers. This brings up a world of recognition we'd never get without the Oscars."

And then there's always Judd Apatow, who's more accustomed to big box office than awards accolades. Up for a short film nom, Apatow surveyed the scene and said, "I feel like a parasite on the back of the Oscar."

TMZ posts photo it claims is a beaten Rihanna

A photo that appears to be Rihanna's face with bruises, scratches and swelling from an attack allegedly at the hands of boyfriend Chris Brown was posted Thursday night by the celebrity Web site TMZ.

The close-up image shows a welt above each of the woman's eyebrows, marks on her cheek and around her lips, and general swelling. TMZ did not say how it obtained the photo, when it was taken or by whom.

Hours after the photo was posted, the Los Angeles Police Department launched an internal investigation and asked for the public's help in finding the person who leaked it. A police news release said the image "has the appearance" of one taken during a domestic violence investigation, and classified its release as a case of serious misconduct that could result in termination.

Asked earlier Thursday whether he could confirm the photo's origin, LAPD Officer Jason Lee said only that the department had not released images of the woman who accused Brown, and would not release evidence photos. A spokeswoman for the district attorney said all evidence related to the case was still with police.

Brown was arrested Feb. 8 and booked on suspicion of making felony criminal threats to a woman that authorities have not publicly identified. A person familiar with the situation, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter and requested anonymity, confirmed that the woman was Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Fenty.

The person said some of the injuries shown in the photo - specifically the marks on the woman's forehead - were consistent with the injuries Rihanna sustained.

Prosecutors have asked police to provide more information before deciding what charges, if any, to pursue against Brown. Police have said the 19-year-old singer could face domestic violence charges if prosecutors think they are appropriate.

An Associated Press photo of Rihanna, taken before the party on the night of the incident, shows her with a tattoo of Roman numerals on her left shoulder; the TMZ photo shows the same numerals on the same shoulder. TMZ had previously used its site to debunk a manipulated image that depicted Rihanna with a black eye.

No public statement has been issued on behalf of Rihanna, who turns 21 on Friday. Email and telephone messages left late Thursday with representatives for both Brown and Rihanna were not immediately returned.

Brown released a statement on Sunday, which read in part, "Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired." The statement, which did not mention Rihanna, said Brown was consulting with loved ones, his mother and pastor.

Brown's arrest came roughly 18 hours after he and Rihanna left a pre-Grammy party honoring music mogul Clive Davis. According to police, Brown and a woman were involved in an altercation in a car traveling through the upscale Hancock Park neighborhood shortly after midnight. Police have said the woman had visible injuries, and that Brown was gone from the scene when they arrived.

The LAPD has just released this statement.

Roberts slams 'bloodthirsty' paparazzi

Julia Roberts has branded the paparazzi's practice of photographing celebrity children as a "bloodythirsty child hunt".

The actress, who has three young children with husband Danny Moder, has slammed star snappers for their desperation to catch famous kids on camera.

"I don't know what is going on...Honestly, I think it should be against the law to take a picture of a celebrity's child," she told Allure.

The Duplicity star added that she is "sickened" by online commentators who spend time discussing and comparing the appearance of celebrity offspring.

"I had to reinstate my faith in people when, one night, I was on the computer, and I ended up stumbling upon some pictures I had never seen of my children playing at a park," she explained.

"What upset me was all these comments like, 'One is cute; that other one sure is ugly.' Even commenting nicely, what are you doing critiquing a child? It sickened me. Fortunately, it's a rare occurrence for us."

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Are Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt buying a home in the Big Apple?

Angelina Jolie ignited a minor Internet storm when she was spotted looking at apartments for sale in the Washington Heights neighborhood of upper Manhattan on Tuesday.

With daughters Shiloh and Zahara in tow, Angie checked out a building that is being remodeled, according to an Us eyewitness:

The building had work permits and it seemed like they were probably being remodeled for [buyers'] taste. ...The building is pretty fancy. It's really nice."

The 2009 Oscar nominee (best actress in "Changeling") reportedly smiled and waved at paparazzi.

She and partner Brad Pitt just leased a 22,000-square-foot Long Island mansion to live in while filming the thriller "Salt." They'll pay $100,000 a month for the Tudor-style home.

So, will they buy in the Big Apple?

Hudgens "Creeped Out" by Paparazzi

Vanessa Hudgens uses big handbags to beat the paparazzi.

The actress - who is currently dating her former High School Musical costar - has been in the public eye for three years, but she still finds it creepy that she is followed by photographers.

"I find it weird to think that when I'm walking around, or just

out shopping, there is someone hiding in the bushes taking pictures of me," she said. "I still find it kinda creepy.

"I'm a private person so I find it really bizarre. But there's nothing I can do about it. My strategy to avoid them is big purses and running really fast."

Shameless Paparazzi Make Emma Watson Sick

Emma Watson, although more famous and enjoying more media coverage than other actresses double her age, is also known to being very down to earth and not “into” this whole celebrity thing, as she has often admitted. If there was one thing that Emma would change about Hollywood, she reveals in a recent interview, that would be the way paparazzi behaved when in the presence of celebrities.

Speaking with the media, the 18-year-old “Harry Potter” actress states that paps should be held legally responsible for the way they act whenever they see a star, because some of the things they do cross any acceptable limit. From what she’s saying, they would do anything to get that “upskirt photo” that would later sell for a lot of money, and Emma knows that firsthand, since she too found herself in such a situation with the paparazzi.

“It was pretty tough turning 18. I realized that overnight I’d become fair game. I had a party in town and the pavements were knee-deep with photographers trying to get a shot of me looking drunk, which wasn’t going to happen. I don’t have to drink to have a good time.” Emma starts by saying. And getting a photo of her looking drunk is not the worst part yet, the actress adds.

“The sickest part was when one photographer lay down on the floor to get a shot up my skirt. The night it was legal for them to do it, they did it. I woke up the next day and felt completely violated by it all. That’s not something I want in my life.” the actress further explains. However, as sickening as the photographer’s attitude was, Emma was not the first celebrity to get this kind of treatment for a shot, as most young female stars in Hollywood go through the same on a daily basis, it is being said.

What makes Emma stand out from the other celebrity girls her age (or older) is her ability to stay true to herself in a context in which everybody is telling her how to be, as she herself has revealed in another recent interview. “If I do an interview with photographs people desperately want to change me – dye my hair blonder, pluck my eyebrows, give me a fringe. Then there’s the choice of clothes. I know everyone wants a picture of me in a mini-skirt. But that’s not me. I feel uncomfortable. I’d never go out in a mini-skirt.” Emma Watson shares.

JENNIFER ANISTON - ANISTON THANKS PAPARAZZI FOR HELPING HER WITH STRAY DOG

Actress JENNIFER ANISTON has heaped praise on the paparazzi who follow her everywhere, after they helped her rescue a lost dog.The former Friends star was driving along busy Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles when the husky darted out in front of her.

The animal-loving actress pulled over, slowed traffic and made an effort to catch the mutt - shouting at snappers who were trying to take her picture.

And she was delighted when the photographers put their cameras down and started helping her.
She went public with her praise on Friday (06Feb09), during an appearance on U.S. TV chat show Ellen.

The actress said, "I had this moment of going, 'Oh come on, this is a lost dog; why don't you help out and go and find the owner?' - and he actually did."

And she also singled out the snappers who helped save her own dog, Norman, when he ran away last month (Jan09).

She added, "Norman got out twice... and the paparazzi returned him.

"There's a moment when all of a sudden these people that are so inhumane they're not people; they seem like people that lurk in black cars and rush you... they're human."

New mom Jessica Alba dislikes paparazzi

Jessica Alba has never really been a fan of the paparazzi, and now that she is mom to 8-month-old Honor Marie Warren, she dislikes them even more.

“Kids pick up on your energy, so the more upset you get about it, the more your kids are affected by it. But I understand how Sean Penn or Alec Baldwin knocks out somebody who’s putting a camera in their kids’ faces. I get that,” Jessica told the March issue of Elle magazine.

When asked who “would do the knocking out,” Jessica or her husband of nearly nine months, Cash Warren, the actress said they are both angered by the paps.

“I think it’s mutual, just because it’s so invasive,” she said. “It’s not like they’re standing 100 feet away. They’re in your face, not letting you walk, standing in the way when you’re driving. It becomes a situation and it doesn’t need to be.”

And it isn’t just the snappers Jessica has trouble with. When the actress married Cash Warren in a hush-hush ceremony last summer, her wedding news was usurped by reporters, who broke the story before the couple could tell their families.

“The person who helped us sign the documents told the press that day, so my parents found our from a reporter before we got to tell them,” Jessica said. “We were planning to take them out to dinner and tell them, but that got ruined. … Journalists feel entitled to do whatever it takes to get a sensational story, no matter how it affects the person involved. We’re not really people, right? We’re just celebrities.”

Eliot Tiegel Explores Downside of Celeb-Frenzied Paparazzi in New Book

In his new revealing expose, Overexposed: The Price of Fame, Eliot Tiegel explores the inevitable and sometimes dangerous, media-frenzied draw toward Hollywood stars -- and he's telling ET how the increased paparazzi coverage of today is affecting starlets Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie and others.

"The rule is that if you're in the magazines you're alive and the public will know who you are," Tiegel explains about celebrities in the media. "Once you're not doing anything and you fade away from all these tabloid magazines who fight every week to produce the same stories most of the time, you disappear -- which means you're not popular anymore."

Tiegel also discusses the death of Princess Diana in 1997, caused by a car accident that followed a paparazzi chase in the streets of Paris.

Watch the video to hear Tiegel discuss how the paparazzi attention has changed entertainment journalism, and he explains the commodity behind star photographs -- an undeniable incentive for getting the perfect shot.

Sasha and Malia: In the Eye of the Paparazzi

In tabloid math, the only thing better than a picture of a celebrity is a picture of a celebrity with his or her cute kid — or in some cases, just the kid (see Suri Cruise). There's no bigger celebrity at the moment than President Barack Obama, who has already been on the cover of such august political organs as TV Guide and Entertainment Weekly. As luck would have it, Barack and Michelle Obama have two of the cutest — and therefore potentially lucrative — offspring on the planet. Beanie Babies maker Ty has already released Sweet Sasha and Marvelous Malia dolls. So the appetite for stories and photos of the First Daughters is going to be somewhere between huge and crazed. (And no, TIME.com is not immune. See pictures of Sasha and Malia at the Inauguration.)

Gary Morgan, CEO of Splash, a photo and video agency that specializes in paparazzi shots, says he's already sent more photographers to Washington. "There's going to be a lot of interest, all around the world, in the Obama family," he says. In December, Splash distributed photos of the Obamas holidaying in Hawaii, including some long-lens shots of the President-elect shirtless. Morgan says he had no trouble selling them. (Read about Obama trying to avoid the spotlight in Hawaii.)

"My dream would be a picture of them decorating their bedrooms or having a pajama party," says OK! Magazine editor in chief Susan Toepfer, who adds that she'll settle for photos of Christmas and Easter celebrations. "The Obamas have made it clear they want to be open with the public. They're going to become the national family." (See pictures of U.S. Presidents and their children.)

Of course, OK! prefers to keep the celebrities it's covering happy. And even more aggressive magazines like Us Weekly have a written policy of not buying pictures of kids taken at or near their schools. But other tabloids are not going to be so picky, particularly the online outlets. If someone has a picture of Malia or Sasha having a bad hair day back in Illinois, Morgan says Splash would buy it. Likewise, if there's a story of alleged social climbing at a Sidwell Friends birthday party, it's a safe bet that gossip site Gawker and its ilk would run the story.

Given the market for such pictures, could the paparazzi become a problem for the First Family? Alan Nierob, a publicist whose flashbulb-bait clients include Mel Gibson and Russell Crowe, says he can't imagine one. "There aren't going to be any long-lens shots into the White House," says Nierob. "Hello! There's a Secret Service. It's not like the girls are going to be sitting in traffic while photographers snap away."

While Morgan says no one is going to be foolish enough to "chase down the President of the United States" for a shot, he thinks it won't be necessary, because the Obamas seem to know how to utilize the popular press to their advantage. They have set up photo ops in the past and have allowed for others. "If they're out and we can get a shot, it's because they don't mind us being there," he says. "The Secret Service guys are cool as long as you don't do anything dangerous."

Morgan wonders, however, if this unspoken agreement between the First Family and the popular press will last. "We'll see how it goes after a few months. It's not like we don't know where he lives," he says. "You can't keep people cooped up there forever."

Miley Cyrus Encourages the Paparazzi

Now here's something you don't see every day.

Given how so many stars are notorious for shunning the shutterbugs and doing whatever they can to prevent paps from getting that so-called money shot, you can imagine our delight when we spotted Miley Cyrus in L.A. on Wednesday actually inviting folks to snap away by sporting a tee that read "Take a picture. It will last longer."

Not that it comes as a complete surprise, mind you. After all, the teen sensation is known for being photog friendly whenever she steps out.

Of course, simply stepping out in your pajama bottoms is also a pretty sure way to get cameras clicking.

For Paparazzi, Obamas Are as Hot as Pitt-Jolies

Hordes of photographers are gearing up to make their fortunes with photos of the glamorous new first family, Elizabeth Wolff writes in New York magazine.The transition team is trying to carefully manage images of the Obamas, but they're up against patient and wily paparazzi trying to sneak shots of the family that photo agencies are ranking right up there with the Pitt-Jolies for celebrity status.

One veteran pap says Obama pix are outearning his Lindsay Lohan stock. They'll be doggedly lying in wait to snap "regular people" shots of Michele shopping and taking the girls to school, but the Holy Grail of Obama pics is a photo of the president-elect smoking. Such a photo would "definitely fetch over $100,000," says the chief of one agency dispatching extra snappers to DC.

Tribeca Film Festival Press Registration

The eighth annual Tribeca Film Festival will take place April 22nd - May 3rd, 2009 in New York City.

We hope that you will consider applying for credentials to attend and cover the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival. If you are interested in doing so, please use the following link to access the formal application: https://secure.sportssystems.com/events2/?eventKey=aadb469e-b301-499d-a1ec-a1dbd09cfd00

We kindly ask that you complete the application in its entirety as soon as possible. The deadline for applications is March 13, 2009. After this date, no further applications will be considered. Please note that you will receive clear notification from us regarding approval or denial of your application before March 27.

The Tribeca Film Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 following the attacks on the World Trade Center, to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of the lower Manhattan district through an annual celebration of film, music and culture. Since its founding, the Festival has screened more than 1,100 films from over 80 countries while generating more than $530 million in economic activity for New York City. Known for its support of emerging and established directors, the Festival’s mission is to help filmmakers reach the broadest possible audience, enable the international film community and general public to experience the power of cinema and promote New York City as a major filmmaking center.

We look forward to speaking with you soon. If you have any questions regarding the accreditation form or credentialing process, please contact Casey Sanders, the Festival’s Press Office Manager, at +1 212.843.9304 or festival@rubenstein.com.

As always, thank you for your time.

Best,

The Tribeca Film Festival Press Department

Legal Rights of Photographers in the USA

Here's a good guideline for taking photos in public.

http://www.kantor.com/blog/Legal-Rights-of-Photographers.pdf

PicApp now representing paparazzi imagery from Pacific Coast News

Picapp, a service of the Israel based technology company PicScout offering bloggers an ad-supported solution to use celebrity, sports, and news, images free of charge, has announced that it has added paparazzi content from Pacific Coast News(PCN). PCN is one of the more prominent sources for entertainment news and pictures. “We at Pacific Coast News are witnessing a substantial change in the photo industry, with a growing demand for the content by bloggers” Said Paul Harris PCN CEO “I believe that PicApp’s innovative and most scalable application will be able to meet the blogger requirements and therefore provide us with a new distribution channel.”

Picapp currently offers images for free use by publishers who are willing to embed the image with ads that Picapp uses to compensate contributors for the content. The company currently represents content from Getty Images, Corbis, Newscom, Image Source, Splash News, and many others. “Our team is pleased to have Pacific Coast News join the platform and add their content to a growing list of content partners” said Eyal Gura, PicApp CEO. “One of the major requests we receive from the blogging community is to increase supply of entertainment images and the PCN content answer this specific need.

Paul Andrew Hawthorne, 41

Paul Andrew Hawthorne, 41, of Jersey City, N.J., passed away on Dec. 20, 2008, after a courageous struggle with Primary Amyloidosis, a rare blood disorder.

He is survived by his wife of seven years, Amy Lambo Hawthorne; and his parents, William J. Hawthorne and Sandra Shroades Hawthorne of Chester, W.Va. He is also survived by two sons, Maxwell James Hawthorne, age 4, and Lucas Alexander Hawthorne, 7 months.

Paul was a beloved brother to Lori Hawthorne Pietrandrea and Luigi Pietrandrea of Hopewell, Pa.; William J. Hawthorne II and Darla Hawthorne of Ambridge, Pa.; Philip Bradley Hawthorne and Robin Hawthorne of Fleetville, Pa.; and Anne Hawthorne Miller and Jason Miller of Industry, Pa. Paul was a loving uncle to 10 nieces and nephews: Alyssa Pietrandrea, Anthony Pietrandrea, Noah Hawthorne, Emma Hawthorne, Jacob Miller, Jordan Miller, Kyle Miller, Ann Therese Lambo, Paul Lambo and Joey Mancz.

Paul and his twin brother, Philip, were born on Aug. 11, 1967, in Rochester, Pa.

During his youth, Paul played many sports. He was a member of the Little League champion Industry Yankees and lettered in high school baseball. He was a 1985 graduate of Western Beaver High School and a 1988 graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

Paul proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1989 to 1993. During his military service Paul served as a still photographer with the prestigious Combat Camera Group Atlantic, photographing NATO forces during Operation Deny Flight over Bosnia. During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Paul served as a photographers' mate, supervising a team of six photographers aboard the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy.

After the Navy, Paul continued his work as a photojournalist working as a staff photographer for the Norristown Times Herald in Norristown, Pa., photo chief for the New Castle News in New Castle, Pa., international news photo editor for the Associated Press in New York City, staff photographer for Wireimage in New York City and a staff photographer for Getty Images in New York City. Paul's recent freelance work included regular photo assignments for the New York Times, New York Post and various corporate and media clients in the greater New York area.

In addition to his passion for photography, Paul was an avid golfer, a black belt in Kyokushin karate, a lover of hiking, mountain biking and the outdoors, and terrific cook of delicious, spicy food. He was most proud of his family, particularly his two young sons.

We'll all miss you my dear friend.

Our condolences to the entire Hawthorne family.