Mischa Barton had no idea there were paparazzi sitting on the next towel. Totally shocked.

Q: What do you do when you’ve just been busted for DUI and you don’t really have a lot of, you know, ACTING JOBS in the pipeline?
A: You arrange for a ‘surprise” shoot with a papparazzi agency that makes it look like you’re just naturally having a quiet pose – I mean sunbake – at the beach! Oh wait! First you get your hair and make-up totally done. And also you should practice reading a book in the most unnatural and yet flattering position possible.

This scam happens all the time. Posh Spice is a master of the Arranged Spontaneous Photo Opportunity. Same with Delta Goodrem. In many cases, the celeb shares the profits from the photo’s sale with the photo agency. But mostly? It’s just a way to further control and manipulate your image in the media.

My fave picture after the jump

[Photo credit: Pacific Coast News via Egotastic ]