Patrick McMullan kisses and tells

Want to feel what it's like to be inside the infamously exclusive Vanity Fair Oscar party?

Check out the mag's official party photographer, Patrick McMullan's new photo book, "Kiss Kiss," a 340-page collection of Hollywood's hottest kisses, taken during his 30-year career shooting stars at swanky parties and sizzling fashion fetes, with an intro by famed gossip columnist Liz Smith.

"There is definitely an excitement during Oscar weekend in Hollywood that's unsurpassed," says McMullan. "Everyone is all dressed and looking their best, they're happy, excited and they all 'kiss up,' sometimes as a way of showing how close they are to someone important."

His book documents Ashlee and Jessica Simpson's perfectly posed double-truck air kiss, Cindy Crawford bussing a limp-lipped Richard Gere, Gwyneth Paltrow hair-kissing Julia Roberts, Sir Elton John smooching Elizabeth Taylor's bejeweled paw, Ben Affleck nose-to-nose with Jennifer Lopez, Pam Anderson practically biting Lindsay Lohan, Alan Cumming chewing on Rachel Weisz's shoulder, Selma Blair lip-locked with aged producer Bob Evans, Sharon Stone going in for the kill on Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger's lips. And there's an entire section of bestiality, featuring stars kissing their pups.

McMullan has certainly seen his share of celebrity kissing up at VF's party over the years. He's planning on shooting the Gagosian Gallery (Christopher Wool exhibition) opening Thursday, March 2, where Matt Dillon, Adrien Brody, Kirsten Dunst, Dennis Hopper and Ed Ruscha will be popping in. And Sunday's VF party promises to be one for the record books. "I always make sure to have plenty of Duracell batteries with me," says McMullan. "The worst thing for a photographer is seeing the perfect moment and having your batteries die." His expert photo tips can be found on Duracell.com.

Dying to see all the VF party action? On Monday, check out PatrickMcMullan.com, where you can also buy the "Kiss Kiss" book ($55), along with his others, "InTents" -- a history of the New York fashion collections -- and "so80s" -- a New York-in-the-'80s flashback.

By the way, McMullan's not the slightest bit worried about kissing -- commonly known as the "Hollywood Handshake" -- going out of style with the ongoing bird flu threat. Gosh, can you imagine everyone trying to kiss up while wearing protective white surgical masks? Now that's a photo op.

Photo Credits: The way they were: Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey in a luscious lovers' lip lock on the cover of Patrick McMullan's delicious photo book, "Kiss Kiss."
(Patrick McMullan)