Imagine you're sitting in a limo with Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, and Kim Stewart, pumping them up to ride choppers onto the red carpet at Maxim's Hot 100 Party. Fast forward a bit and you see Kim Stewart lying on the ground - her dress over her head as her chopper rides off without her. Yes, you have just witnessed what E! and VH1 voted the Biggest Red Carpet Moment of all Time!

The architect of that moment, Photographer Victor Sanabrais.

"I originally had planned on Paris [Hilton] and Nicole [Richie] to ride down together, but Nicole wasn't into it," Victor said. "Fortunately, Kim Stewart was ready and willing to replace her. I told them not to start the choppers, but to just roll them down the hill and pose for the cameras. Well, Kim decided to turn the chopper on, and the rest is history!"

Born and raised in Chicago, Victor Sanabrais originally pursued a career as a chiropractor; however, the white lab coat and chemistry classes just weren't doing it for him. "YUK!" He consequently dropped out, picked up a camera, and hasn't looked back since.

"Once I dropped out of chiropractic school, I took a summer course in photography just for fun. I then started taking every photo class possible at a small community college, as I worked as an assistant." It's during this period that Victor learned the technical side of the photography business, as well as the world of commercial advertising. "I jumped into the market in Chicago around 1992 and started offering my services on my own."

At that time, Victor was married to a beautiful, blonde super model (sorry no names), and willingly, he photographed her and her model friends to help expand his portfolio. "I would make posters of the artistic nudes and fashion photos I took, and place them on the walls of my loft," Victor said. "On weekends I would throw the hottest parties on the west loop side of Chicago. Eventually, word got around, and the in crowd started showing up."

It was during one of these parties that a man came up to Victor and said, "Nice parties kid...love your work! Here's my card." Victor stated, "I woke up two days later (drunk), looked in my pocket, and found the card belonged to Playboy Entertainment Editor, Kevin Kuster - Nice! I called him, went to his office, and he gave me my first real break."

"My portfolio and resume took a big step up from there. One day I would be shooting the Harlem Globetrotters, then the next, a Playboy Lingerie layout or possibly flying to an island somewhere to shoot a swimsuit calendar. I am grateful to have had the good fortune of working with some of the most celebrated names in the business."

Models be realistic and realize that just being the hot girl at the local club and having all the guys say Wow are you a model? Is not going to get you anywhere. Meet reputable people that are working in the biz now - not have worked but are working presently! You must be head strong and persistent. Confidence is key not how you look. Your face and body of course should be up to par with the industry. Meet every good contact head on and push for the best every time. Win or loose you gave it your best. If you find success and you can make money at this...you’re one of the lucky few

Far removed from the days of shooting in his Chicago loft, it's easy to see that Victor is driven and quite the workaholic. "If I won the lottery, I would create new projects for me to photograph!." It's this drive and devotion that has enabled Victor to compile a damn impressive list of clients, including many known celebrities.

"I have new relationships with magazine editors that I am looking to grow with," Victor said. "My biggest client is in the eyewear industry, and I just completed new ads for '06 with Stacey Keibler, Jose Canseco, Michael Imperioli, Joanna Krupa, and others. I am also photographing the celebrity wedding of Adrienne Curry and Christopher Knight of the My Fair Brady TV Show."

"My celebrity portrait work has taken shape nicely. At times it can be trying, like when shooting William Shatner on his ranch. He is a control freak and not an easy subject to capture, let alone on his horse. But then again, you get times like when shooting Anna Nicole Smith," Victor said. "Her breast popped out, and I had to adjust her top to cover her nipple. Or getting to shoot a body painting party on a private island in the Bahamas. 100 celebrity guests and me the only photographer allowed in. Thats when you really love your job!"

In addition, Victor is the official photographer for www.lingeriebowl.com and the creator/photographer for www.beverlyhillschoppers.com and www.beverlyhillsangels.com. Victor is also currently working with the top lingerie producers in the world, as they have been expanding and growing in many directions. "My work at the International Lingerie Show this August will be the launch of these new campaigns."

"My passion for photography is never ending," Victor said. "Creating and seeing a vision in my head, and then taking the steps to create it with my camera, and my lap top, while flying across the country with no sleep, is just par for the course! When I land and see the completed image displayed in a magazine or on a billboard and I look and say..nice work buddy! That is what I live for..simple as that."

There's no doubt! Nice work buddy, indeed!

Fast Facts: Victor Sanabrais

Victor Sanabrais' Official Site:
www.victorsanabrais.com