Classic 2009

Fantasy, by Richard Wheeler.View Main Campaign Ad)

This came to meafter a careful study ofthe artworks of Gil Elgren, perhaps one of the most highly regarded, talented Pin Up artists – prominent during the 1930's through the 1960's. Also driving this inspiration is my love for the grainy imagery and colors of this era, not to mention the hair styling and make up.

I wanted to make a contemporary image based upon these times – the beautiful portrayal of women, how it must have been to be alive during this era – I wanted to celebrate the great American Pin up.

I imagined that these girls were looking at the Pin Up art and photography of the time. They quietly planned a photo-shoot between themselves, patiently waiting until their husbands had gone away for business. Then I imaged they privately decided to shoot themselves as pin up girls for fun, perhaps as a gift for their husbands, but more so for themselves, through sheer desire and curiosity, it’s their fantasy first and foremost.

The shoot was to be private; the premise was that they were secretly caught by a lucky voyeur - he was passing their house and peered through the gap in the curtain of their living room. That moment through the lead framed windows rendered him captured.

'This is not a photo opportunity;' they were caught in the act.

For this shoot we hired a real life Camera from 1930, the backdrop is vintage velvet, even the floor boards were vintage.

The photographer utilized another 1930's camera outfitted with oversized polaroid film for a combining effect of utter beauty.

Enjoy,

Richard