Pinup Photography

While many people think of pin-up girls as having their origins around the second world war and post war 1950’s, their background is actually based in theatre and live performance from the turn of the century where performers had showcards and posters printed that were designed to literally be ‘pinned up’ on the wall.

During WWII famous illustrator Alberto Vargas popularised the pin-up girl through magazines such as Esquire and on the nose art of many allied forces aircraft fighting in the war. While Vargas didn’t paint aircraft himself, many artists faithfully copied Vargas original illustrations from earlier editions of Esquire. Vargas Girls, as they came to be known, are the closest thing we have to the pin-up girl prior to the popularisation and availability of modern cameras and set the style that future pin-up photographic styles have followed ever since.

While there has been much talk about photoshopping of models in modern pin-up photography, this also owes its style to the original Vargas Girls who were drawn in overtly seductive, curvy style to capture viewers attention. Vargas often illustrated his images based on original photographs of models to ensure he captured the way certain clothing or body shapes were expressed. Original Vargas illustration come up at auction rarely and often sell for more than $50,000USD.

Boogie Woogie Babes pin-up work has been published internationally and has received numerous national awards at the Australia Professional Photography Awards (AIPP - APPA’s).
We work with a range of experienced vintage hair and make-up artists and stylists to ensure your pinup photoshoot produces the highest quality imagery that will stand the test of time.