Sam Shaw
Sam Shaw was born in January 1912 in New York´s "Little Italy". He found himself drawn to art and photography at a very young age and he tried to find different ways to express his talented side. He started to work as a courtroom artist and later a cartoonist. In the 1940´s, he got his very first professional photographer job at a magazine and later, he also became an employee at the famous photo agency, Magnum Photos. In the 1950´s, his talent and work took him to Hollywood, where he attended many movie sets and photographed several celebrities, such as Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Humphrey Bogart, Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando and of course, our very own Marilyn Monroe.
Sam met Marilyn for the first time at the beginning of her career, on the set of the film "Viva Zapata!" in 1951. Although Marilyn didn´t work with the film, she appeared at the film set a lot, especially since she was dating the director of the film, Elia Kazan at the time. Marilyn would also drive Sam to the set daily.
In 1954, the two met again. Sam was hired as a still photographer for her film "The Seven Year Itch" and he took some of the most famous photographs of Marilyn ever taken. He also took some photos of her at a club in New York, at a press conference and in her dressing room.
Later, in the summer of 1957, Sam once again took, some of the most famous photographs of Marilyn ever taken. In these photographs, you can see a carefree, happy & confident Marilyn playing around in the nature, frolicking at a beach, enjoying time with her husband and their dog Hugo, shopping in New York, boating in Central Park and having long conversations on the telephone with friends. She really looked like herself and she looked really happy. Not like a world-famous movie star and absolutely not like a diva, that many still believes that she was. She was just enjoying herself and happy after the news that she was pregnant.
Sam Shaw passed away in 1999.
Sam Shaw passed away in 1999.
I must say that Sam Shaw is one of my absolute favourite Marilyn photographers. He really was a terrific photographer and I love his unique style in capturing a moment - rather than creating one. He wasn´t that kind of artist who only did glamorous and grand shoots, (even though that is very beautiful too) he believed in capturing candid moments that tells a story. He was also a very kind person and a great friend of Marilyn. He saw the real Marilyn, instead of just the movie star and he said such nice things about her. Even after her passing. And I love that about him.
"Marilyn found herself in the business of being a superstar. She became a business woman. … she laid the laws down. She became a tough, tough tomato. A tough tomato. She became a tyrant as a producer, a big tycoon trying to lay the law down to the Hollywood big shots. And she nearly beat them." - Sam Shaw, 1979
“"he represents the freedom which kids have today. Only, she was fifteen or twenty years ahead of the times, so she paid the price for her freedom."- Sam Shaw
"I think the major reason for her myth becoming larger and larger every day, for the legend growing on such a gigantic scale, is not the tragedy of her life. It’s the joy of the girl; she presented the joyous moment of a vibrant woman."- Sam Shaw
"Everybody knows about her insecurities, but not everybody knows what fun she was, that she never complained about the ordinary things in life, that she never had a bad word to say about anyone, and that she had a wonderful spontaneous sense of humour." - Sam Shaw
"Marilyn found herself in the business of being a superstar. She became a business woman. … she laid the laws down. She became a tough, tough tomato. A tough tomato. She became a tyrant as a producer, a big tycoon trying to lay the law down to the Hollywood big shots. And she nearly beat them." - Sam Shaw, 1979
“"he represents the freedom which kids have today. Only, she was fifteen or twenty years ahead of the times, so she paid the price for her freedom."- Sam Shaw
"I think the major reason for her myth becoming larger and larger every day, for the legend growing on such a gigantic scale, is not the tragedy of her life. It’s the joy of the girl; she presented the joyous moment of a vibrant woman."- Sam Shaw
"Everybody knows about her insecurities, but not everybody knows what fun she was, that she never complained about the ordinary things in life, that she never had a bad word to say about anyone, and that she had a wonderful spontaneous sense of humour." - Sam Shaw
Milton H. Greene
Milton Greene is probably the most famous photographer, or at least one of them. Since he wasn´t only her photographer, he was a close friend to her, her business partner and they even lived together at one point. But more to that later...
Milton Hawthorne Greene was born 4 years before Marilyn, in New York, 1922. Just as Sam, his passion for photography began at a very early age and he began to take pictures at age 14. In the beginning, Milton was more into fashion photography, rather than spontaneous and candid moments as Sam. He began as an assistant for other photographers and already, by the age of 23, he was known as "Colour photograpy´s Wonder Boy."
By the 1950´s, his work appeared at several famous magazines and newspapers, such as Life, Look, Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. Some of the celebrities he photographed were Marlene Dietrich, Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe.
In 1953, Milton got an assignment from Look Magazine to photograph Marilyn, and when she got to the location and saw a 27 year old man, she exclaimed; "But you´re just a boy"! A rather confused Milton answered with "And you´re just a girl." However, they became really fond of each other and became good friends right away.
By the 1950´s, his work appeared at several famous magazines and newspapers, such as Life, Look, Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. Some of the celebrities he photographed were Marlene Dietrich, Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe.
In 1953, Milton got an assignment from Look Magazine to photograph Marilyn, and when she got to the location and saw a 27 year old man, she exclaimed; "But you´re just a boy"! A rather confused Milton answered with "And you´re just a girl." However, they became really fond of each other and became good friends right away.
A short clip from her Person to Person Interview from Youtube. Credit to the owner.
The next time Milton and Marilyn would work together was in 1954, in New York. Later that year, they took several photos in Arizona and Los Angeles as well.
Below, are a photo of the two in Arizona. Isn´t it just the sweetest picture ever?
In 1955, Marilyn moved to New York and took classes at the Actors Studio, to improve her acting and to show the studio that she could play more than just a "dumb blonde". Milton agreed and really believed in her acting. So, the two established their own production company, Marilyn Monroe Productions. Together, they made two movies through MM Productions, "The Prince And The Show Girl" and "Bus Stop".As they made these two movies in 1956, they also made another sitting. "The Black Sitting" is one of their most famous sitting.In England, while shooting "The Prince And The Showgirl", some problems started to evolve, since Marilyn was now married to Arthur Miller. Allegedly, Arthur wasn´t that fond of Milton and pretty much wanted him replaced. It´s said that he was jealous of Milton and MM Productions. Soon, their friendship would be over.When it didn´t work out between them, they decided to end MM Productions as well. Arthur was shocked that Milton didn´t want the millions of his share, but only the amount of money he had put in. Milton said that he didn´t want to be one of the many people that took advantage of her. When Marilyn heard this, she had tears in her eyes.In January, 1957, Milton and Marilyn made their last sitting together. She was wearing a red swing dress with halter neck, and therefore, it was called The Red Sitting.Milton and Marilyn actually talked to each other four years after this, in July 1962. Milton´s wife Amy had a dream that Marilyn was in trouble and urged him to call her and check if she´s alright. He did call her, and they talked for a while. Milton asked if he should go to her as support, but Marilyn said no and that she would be alright. Milton called one more time before he took a plane to Paris and that was the last time they spoke to each other. On August 5th, the Greene´s got a call that said that Marilyn was dead. After a while on the phone, he hung up and turned to Amy, all pale and colourless, and said "You were right, I should have gone to her." 💔
Milton Greene passed away in 1985.
To be honest, I often get tears in my eyes when I think about Milton and Marilyn´s relationship. They were like each others soulmates, and it hurts me that it ended. I really wish things were different and that it all worked out. I think the end of Amy Greene´s quote below, speaks my mind pretty accurately.Milton was an excellent photographer and artist, and a wonderful human being. He´s the kind of person you wish you knew and had as a friend. Even though their friendship didn´t last, they were still lucky to have had each other and that kind of friendship. They had the best kind, if you ask me.
Milton Greene passed away in 1985.
To be honest, I often get tears in my eyes when I think about Milton and Marilyn´s relationship. They were like each others soulmates, and it hurts me that it ended. I really wish things were different and that it all worked out. I think the end of Amy Greene´s quote below, speaks my mind pretty accurately.Milton was an excellent photographer and artist, and a wonderful human being. He´s the kind of person you wish you knew and had as a friend. Even though their friendship didn´t last, they were still lucky to have had each other and that kind of friendship. They had the best kind, if you ask me.
I was never jealous of Marilyn. Arthur was always jealous of Milton, which is interesting in a way. Arthur had another life. Why should he be jealous? I didn’t need Marilyn Monroe, but she sure as hell needed Milton Greene, and he needed her, because both of them were never the same after that. These two people should have been together through thick and thin. Nothing….nothing should have put them apart. I was smart enough to realize that. If Arthur had been smart enough to realize that, it would have been a whole other life for both of them.” - A part of a quote by Amy Greene, Milton´s wife.
“The clothes go off and the g*dd*mned hat goes on and the pictures are always just perfect and they are never vulgar. They aren’t glamorous pictures, in fact they border on being funny, on being a joke, comedic with fishnet stockings and a black hat and black this and that and a glass balanced on her knee and a big rip going up the ass, but they are gorgeous. They have that wonderful little-girl attitude, having a good time playing dress-up.” -Joe Eula on the Black Sitting
"No one gets to Marilyn without first clearing through him." - A reporter
“All I did was believe in her. She was a marvelous, loving, wonderful person I don’t think many understood.” - Milton Greene.
André De Dienes
Andre De Dienes was born in Transylvania in 1913. At age fifteen, a lonley and heartbroken Andre left home after his mother tragically committed suicide. He went across Europe until he arrived in Tunisia and bought his very first camera. He then continued his journey, back to Europe. In 1933, he studied art in Paris and bought his second camera.
The year was 1945, when Dienes got the chance to work with the nineteen year old Norma Jeane Baker. Dienes admitted later that he even remembers her outfit and hairstyle in detail and he even confessed that he was "completely love struck".
"When Norma Jeane arrived at my bungalow later in the afternoon, it was as if a miracle had happened to me. Norma Jeane seemed to be like an angel. I could hardly believe it for a few moments. An earthly, sexy-looking angel! Sent expressly for me! The impact Norma Jeane had on me was tremendous. As minutes passed, I fell more and more in love with Norma Jeane; there was an immediate rapport between us."
The next time she would hear from him was in 1946, now going by the name Marilyn Monroe.
The next time she would hear from him was in 1946, now going by the name Marilyn Monroe.
The next time de Dienes and Marilyn were to work together was in 1952, at Bel Air Hotel in Stone Canyon.
His very last shoot with Marilyn was in 1953.
Andre De Dienes passed away of cancer in 1985.
"Dienes was a man not interested in the glamour or the politics of his work. For him it was about creating something beautiful and nurturing, an idea of the feminine ideal."
Richard C. Miller
Photographer Richard Crump Miller was born in California, 1912. He grew up in Los Angeles, where his father was the rector of St. James Episcopal hurch. Dick´s father had a 3¼x4¼ folding roll-film camera, whih sparked his interest in photography. In 1929, Dick was introduced to the Leica and Graflex cameras. He later studied cinematography at Stanford University and Pomona College. He did his final year at Usc, where, in 1933, he met Margaret, his future wife. They married in 1937.
During the war, Rihard got a job in the photo department at North American, where he was seen as a professional photographer. Although, after the war, he quit this job and started at another work. At his new work, he met Nicholas Murray, who also photographed Marilyn.
In the spring of 1946, he photographed a model provided through the Blue Book Models agency, run by Emmeline Snivley. She said "I´ve got a real cute girl. You ought to see her." The model´s name was Norma Jeane Dougherty.
During the war, Rihard got a job in the photo department at North American, where he was seen as a professional photographer. Although, after the war, he quit this job and started at another work. At his new work, he met Nicholas Murray, who also photographed Marilyn.
In the spring of 1946, he photographed a model provided through the Blue Book Models agency, run by Emmeline Snivley. She said "I´ve got a real cute girl. You ought to see her." The model´s name was Norma Jeane Dougherty.
"She was a cutie, and they had sold some covers of her already,"
"She was nice when she was Norma Jeane, very sweet. She posed very well, she was reative about her modeling. She came to dinner at the house. A nice, friendly girl."
Richard and Marilyn didn´t work together again, until 1958, when Marilyn was filming "Some Like It Hot". She smiled and said "Hi, Dick" but was not interested in reviving their freindship.
The last time he photographed her was in 1960, during filming of "Let´s Make Love".
Richard Miller passed away in 2010.
Eve Arnold
Eve Arnold was born in 1912, in Philadelphia. Since Eve´s parents immigrated from Russia, her father had trouble finding a job in America, so Eve grew up in poverty. In the 1940´s, when she had planned to study medicine, her boyfriend gave her a Rolleicord camera, which was the thing that started her interest in photography. In 1943, she got a "amateur" photograph job in Hoboken. Eve married Arnold Arnold, a indrustial engineer in 1948.In 1950, she got her first assignment to photograph at fashion shows. One year later, in 1951, Eve became an employee at the famous photo agency Magnum Photos.
Eve met Marilyn in the early 1950´s, at a party by director John Huston. Marilyn had recently worked with her film "The Asphalt Jungle" and Eve had just worked with movie star Marlene Dietrich.
"Marilyn asked – with that mixture of naïveté and self-promotion that was uniquely hers – ‘If you could do that well with Marlene, can you imagine what you could do with me?" - Eve later recalled.
In 1955, Eve took her first professional photos of Marilyn.at the premiere of "East Of Eden". The same year, she photographed Marilyn in Bement, Illinois and at an abandoned playground at Long Island.
Eve met Marilyn in the early 1950´s, at a party by director John Huston. Marilyn had recently worked with her film "The Asphalt Jungle" and Eve had just worked with movie star Marlene Dietrich.
"Marilyn asked – with that mixture of naïveté and self-promotion that was uniquely hers – ‘If you could do that well with Marlene, can you imagine what you could do with me?" - Eve later recalled.
In 1955, Eve took her first professional photos of Marilyn.at the premiere of "East Of Eden". The same year, she photographed Marilyn in Bement, Illinois and at an abandoned playground at Long Island.
.jpg)
The next time Eve and Marilyn would work together was in 1956, at a press conference for her upcoming film project with Laurence Olivier.
After that, Eve and Marilyn wouldn´t work together until 1960, when Marilyn was filming "The Misfits". Eve stayed for two months, to support Marilyn during filming. Besides the on-set photos, she also took some wonderful pictures of Marilyn in a nightgown, bikini and nude in a bed.
The last photo session they did together was in July 1961, at her home.
"She looked fresh and rested, and she and Kenneth played up for the camera, she teasing him about his showing the more photogenic side of his face,” Eve observed. “We did just one roll of film. It was a simple photo and I did not want to tire her." - Eve Arnold.
The last photo session they did together was in July 1961, at her home.
"She looked fresh and rested, and she and Kenneth played up for the camera, she teasing him about his showing the more photogenic side of his face,” Eve observed. “We did just one roll of film. It was a simple photo and I did not want to tire her." - Eve Arnold.
The last time Eve and Marilyn spoke to each other was three months before Marilyn´s passing, while Marilyn was preparing for her infamous performance at Madison Square Garden in May, 1962. Marilyn offered Eve to attend, but Eve declined.
"I never knew anyone who came close to Marilyn in natural ability to use both photographer and still camera. She was special in this, and for me there has been no one like her before or after. She has remained the measuring rod by which I have – unconsciously – judged other subjects."
"The bond between us was photography. She liked my pictures and was canny enough to realise that they were a fresh approach for presenting her – a looser, more intimate look than the posed studio portraits she was used to in Hollywood."
Eve Arnold passed away in 2012.
Ed Feingersh
Edwin Feingersh was born one year before Marilyn, in Brooklyn, 1925.
Ed took interest in photography while serving in Germany during the war. After the war, he attended New York University and joined a camera club.
In the early spring of 1955, he worked with Marilyn for the first time and photographed her taking the subway (something she didn´t do often, in fear of being mobbed.), dining at a restaurant, shopping, getting dressed and just walking the streets of New York.
Ed´s photograph technique was pretty similar to Shaw´s, as he wanted to photograph real, candid shots instead of creating an illusion. His realistic and monochrome photographs are remembered as someof the most beautiful photographs ever taken of Marilyn.
However, Ed & Marilyn never worked again. Feingersh married unhappily to Miriam Sakol and after his marriage didn´t work out, he began to drink and fell into a depression. He passed away one year before Marilyn, in 1961.
Feingersh´s pictures of Marilyn wasn´t found until 1987, in a New York warehouse and bought by Michael Ochs.
However, Ed & Marilyn never worked again. Feingersh married unhappily to Miriam Sakol and after his marriage didn´t work out, he began to drink and fell into a depression. He passed away one year before Marilyn, in 1961.
Feingersh´s pictures of Marilyn wasn´t found until 1987, in a New York warehouse and bought by Michael Ochs.
"Eddie’s camera got it all, showing her rising tension against a visual jangle of wire hangers in the background."
"Just as Marilyn dreaded looking less than perfect in front of the cameras and was always late, so Eddie obsessed over what he did behind the camera and would let no one else develop or print his pictures."
James Haspiel
Die-hard fan James Haspiel was born in New York, 1938. James had seen "Clash By Night" at the age of 14, when he fell under Marilyn´s spell.
He met Marilyn in September 1954, when she was shooting her new film "The Seven Year Itch".
James hung around with a fan-group called "Monroe Six" around her hotel in the city and he was desperate to see her again. In 1955, when Marilyn lived in New York, they quickly became friends. He would help her to do her shopping and she even invited him over to her place.
After that, they met again in 1957, when Marilyn was back in New York.
They met once again in 1959, and the last time they met was in 1961.
James wasn´t a professional photographer and he wasn´t hired to take photographs of her. He was fascinated by her and he desperately wanted to know more about her. James is nowadays mostly known for his devotion and and dedication for her, and of course, his wonderful candid shots of her.
George Barris
George Barris was born in New York, 1922.
He got his very first camera when he was only six years old, from his brother. That camera is what started his interest from the beginning. He soon realized that is was a profession to photograph and that he could make money of from it.
He first met Marilyn in 1954, during filming of "The Seven Year Itch". George was one of many photographers on set, to photograph Marilyn.
The next time he would photograph Marilyn, was in the summer of 1962. He photographed Marilyn playing around at the beach, soaking up the sun, taking a drink, getting ready and just relaxing on the couch. The session took place at Walter "Tim" Leimert`s house. He was also present at Marilyn´s birthday celebration during filming of her upcoming film, "Something´s got to give".
After Marilyn´s passing, George lived in Paris for twenty years. Sadly, he passed away in September of 2016.
The next time he would photograph Marilyn, was in the summer of 1962. He photographed Marilyn playing around at the beach, soaking up the sun, taking a drink, getting ready and just relaxing on the couch. The session took place at Walter "Tim" Leimert`s house. He was also present at Marilyn´s birthday celebration during filming of her upcoming film, "Something´s got to give".
After Marilyn´s passing, George lived in Paris for twenty years. Sadly, he passed away in September of 2016.
"On my shopping spree for Marilyn, I went to two of her favorite stores, Jax on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, and Saks Fifth Avenue. At Jax I bought her some beautiful slacks and decorative Emilio Pucci sport shirts. Then off to Saks for a bulky sweater, terry-cloth three quarter hooded beach jacket, a blanket, a large towel for those peek-a-boo beach shots, and a sexy bikini. I did not buy Marilyn any undergarments – she never wore them."- About his sitting with Marilyn
She's a real woman!
ReplyDelete