With a desire to expand the depth of my education and skill as a woman's photographer, I am venturing into the study of the pin-up, and have started exploring the genre. My first steps into this art form have been into the iconic World War II era. Although not the true beginning of the genre, it was an influential period with a large market interest for the all American sweetheart used to "help with the war effort".
So I packed up my gear and traveled to Mobile Bay, home to the World War II battleship USS Alabama, and submarine, USS Drum. We planned a retro-inspired shoot aimed at capturing the feel of a WWII pinup whilst shooting on location at these iconic vessels.
Hot Day at the Beach v.1 by Von Trapp Photography 2015.(From the series: Dorothy goes to sea, homage to the WWII pinup)
Dottie points her...hmm…um camera at her hot subject, and can feel herself growing more hot and randy by the second. Pinup inspired beach glamour shoot.
Model: Dorothy
You were half a word away, but if you were a lucky guy, your sweetheart might have some "special" photos created for her to send to you. Otherwise, if not, you could always count on finding a suitable image in a magazine to help keep your "spirits" up.
Shipshape v.2 by Von Trapp Photography 2015.(From the Dorothy goes to sea series, homage to the WWII pinup.)
Pinup Glamour Shoot Aboard The U.S.S. Alabama.
With inspiration from countless WWII pin-ups in mind, Von Trapp Photography set out to do homage to a loved genre of photography from that era.
This capture was made aboard the battleship USS Alabama anchored in Mobile Bay. It shows one of the battle stations within a 16 inch main gun turret. Our model, wearing vintage inspired lingerie, has struck one of the iconic styled pin-up poses that went to sea and war with countless sailors.
I used two speed lights to create this image. One high and behind Dorthy to rim light her, the other at camera and high right. With the dim lighting inside the turret I chose to shoot with as small an f/stop as possible to compensate for the possibility that I may be off on my focus.
Model/HMU: Dorothy
I'm Going to Get Some v.1 by Von Trapp Photography 2015.(From the series: Dorothy goes to sea, homage to the WWII pinup)
Pinup Glamour Shoot Aboard The U.S.S. Drum.
With inspiration from countless WWII pin-ups in mind, Von Trapp Photography set out to do homage to a loved genre of photography from that era.
Her watch now done, Dorothy is anxious to hot-cot with you and get some satisfying rack time. She finds it titillating when she is in the sack with such a thick, long and powerful one under her. Created if the forward torpedo room of the USS Drum.
Model/HMU: Dorothy
Throughout the war, sexy and evocative works of pin-up art were painted on the nose of combat aircraft, as well as carried and posted by service members around the world. They included women who were fully clothed showing some stocking top and garter or in shorts with a cropped top, to women in bathing suits, lingerie, and occasionally nude or implied nude. These images became iconic of an era, however, the pin-up dates back to the 1800s in one form or another.
Quoting from an article in the Huffington Post Art & Culture by Priscilla Frank, "She's risqué but never explicit. She's flirtatious but fiercely independent. She's erotic but always safe for work...".
My images from the Alabama shoot do not faithfully represent the war years, the wardrobe is more correct for the early/mid 1950s. However, I feel the retro-inspired look of these shots do indeed honor the countless images that went to war.
"OH! Hi Chief" by Von Trapp Photography 2015.(From the series: Dorothy goes to sea, homage to the WWII pinup.)
Pinup Glamour Shoot Aboard The U.S.S. Alabama.
With inspiration from countless WWII pin-ups in mind, Von Trapp Photography set out to do homage to a loved genre of photography from that era.
Dotty gets caught "out of uniform" whilst picking up her dungarees from the laundry. One is left to wonder what "extra duty" she will be given by the Chief.
Model/HMU: Dorothy
Giving it to the Scerws by Von Trapp Photography 2015.(From the series: Dorothy goes to sea, homage to the WWII pinup)
With inspiration from countless WWII pin-ups in mind, Von Trapp Photography set out to do homage to a loved genre of photography from that era.
Dottie loves to be in control, the Main Control of this WWII submarine in this case. Here, she deftly uses her hands to affect how much power is given to each shaft, thereby controlling how much torque she is going to get. She finds it satisfying to be in control like this, determining if she is going to get it short and fast, or slow and long (a submariner understands). You will note from the fine fit of her uniform and cut of her jib that she is a skilled operator and always ready to go down.
Model/HMU: Dorothy
For the submariners and enthusiasts, the USS Drum is equipped with a Westinghouse main control cubicle, seen here.
It is said that the three most popular pin-up images of WWII are of Betty Grable in her one-piece bathing suit, Rita Hayworth wearing a form-fitting négligée and Jane Russell leaning against a haystack, her bodice at the breaking point. Although these images were originally photographs that were made into posters and often reproduced as drawings and paintings, most pin-up art was some form of drawing or painting.
Out of Uniform v.2a by Von Trapp Photography 2015.(From the Dorothy goes to sea series, homage to the WWII pinup.)
Caught out of uniform at the ship's pressing shop, DeeDee will now have to explain where her dungarees are. But really, don't you think the Chief should give her a pass this time? Sexy retro inspired shoot on the USS Alabama.
Model/HMU: Dorothy
Hot Rack Time v.1 by Von Trapp Photography 2015.(From the series: Dorothy goes to sea, homage to the WWII pinup.)
With a fine rack of her own and now having finished her watch, this bombshell is all set to heat things up and satisfy her hunger. Located in the enlisted billet aboard the USS Alabama Battleship.
Model/HMU: Dorothy
Showing Off Her Twins v.3 by Von Trapp Photography 2015.(From the Dorothy goes to sea series, homage to the WWII pinup.)
Pinup Glamour Shoot Aboard The U.S.S. Alabama.
With inspiration from countless WWII pin-ups in mind, Von Trapp Photography set out to do homage to a loved genre of photography from that era.
One of the USS Alabama's aft twin 40mm monut is the setting for Dorthy to show off her luscious gams and her own set of twins. Her 32 DD's that is, which are fully readied for action, having been loaded in her bullet bra.
Our dish is wearing back-seam Cuban heel stockings with a garter belt, a period inspired dress, and a period correct bullet bra.
The bra molds her already delectable bosom into an eye-popping silhouette
which would make any sailor hard...pressed not to stand up and take notice of her.
Model/HMU: Dorothy
Awaiting Chow v.2 by Von Trapp Photography 2015.(From the series: Dorothy goes to sea, homage to the WWII pinup.)
"What a Dish!" The luscious "Dottie" recreates the 1940's Pinup. Located in the Enlisted Mess, port side stern, aboard the Battleship U.S.S. Alabama, model Dorothy sits oppisite the round barbette of the number three 16-inch gun turret. Model/HMU: Dorothy
Lovely and Luscious v.1 by Von Trapp Photography 2015.(From the Dorothy goes to sea series, homage to the WWII pinup)
Intoxicating and seductive, our model is as fascinating and intelligent as she is delightfully curvaceous. Here she channels her inner bombshell to pay homage to that iconic femme fatale of the pin-up era. Hopefully now in the millennium one can be appreciated for both their intellect and alluring sexuality.
Model/HMU: Dorothy
Domestic Duties v.2 by Von Trapp Photography 2015.(From the series: Dorothy goes to sea, homage to the WWII pinup.)
Working in the ship's loundry of the USS Alabama would have been more enjoyable under these conditions.
Model/HMU: Dorothy
So, go ahead, give her bottom a little tap on your way to your battle station. If you are a confident enough, let your buddies have a chance to do the same to her as well. And anyway...you could always charge them if you need to.
Come back to see other pinup inspired work of mine.
There were other photographs of lovely women that were available to service members as pin-ups. Among them were images published in the weekly Yank Magazine.
For more info about the evolution of the pin-up visit the sites below, and for your own chance to become a modern pin-up contact us at Von Trapp Photography. Connecting you to your glamour.