Photog from Brit’s Disastrous OK! Shoot Speaks

The man who shot Britney Spears' disastrous OK! photoshoot in July has decided to speak out, giving “Extra” the real story behind that headline-making meltdown.

Celebrity photographer Mark Lidell was there the day Brit was accused of wiping fried chicken grease on a designer gown and skipping out before the shoot was finished.

“I class myself as family with Britney,” says Mark, who has shot Brit's pictures since she was 17. “We have a special understanding with each other, from doing her engagement pictures to her baby pictures. We go far back.”

As for her infamous meltdown, Mark says, “We all have our highs. We all have our lows.”

Mark explains, “Paparazzi absolutely killed and ruined our day. They jumped in the backyard. They were everywhere.”

He's also defending Brit's bizarre actions, which reportedly included picking up dog poop with a designer gown and having terrible mood swings.

“I think it was an overwhelming day. It was too much going on for her,” he insists. “And you know the sweetheart said to me in the car afterwards, 'Mark if you want me to come back afterwards I'll do my best and get back,' but she had to go and finish off the music video.”

Now Mark says he knows exactly what Brit needs: to be left alone.