Photo: hawtcelebs.com

Have you noticed how LEANN RIMES is always photographed  looking hot in a bikini?  Well, it's no accident.  According to Radar  Online, she actually tips off the paparazzi in advance of where she's going to  be.

This serves two functions:  One is so LeAnn can make sure she looks just  right . . . because that's what every woman wants.

But it's also a  built-in PR move to show the world she's a good wife to EDDIE  CIBRIAN . . . and a wonderful stepmom to his kids.

A source said, quote, "LeAnn wants good pictures out there.  She wants  to look good and she wants people to see how she looks happy with Eddie, that's  why she does that."