Meet Bek Morris, Australia’s Bunny Yeager.
Bek is the powerhouse behind Bexterity Pin-Up Photography. She runs her own photography business and reproduction vintage clothing store, and has a talent for creating classic 40s and 50s pin-up looks on all her varied clients from 18 year olds to seniors, and women of all shapes and sizes. Bek personally handles every aspect of her photo shoots. In a quarter of a century of being photographed (Gasp. Has it been that long?) I have never before worked with a photographer who also did makeup, hair and styling.
Like Bunny Yeager, the pin-up photographer and former model who famously photographed Bettie Page’s best cheeky and exuberant pin-ups in the 1950s, Bek knows how to bring out the fun in her subjects. And the subjects she prefers are everyday women.
“I love the feeling of knowing that I have helped change the way a woman sees herself,” Bek told me. “Most of my clients have never had a makeover, never had makeup or hair done…Most have children and have ‘forgotten’ about themselves, or think they are ‘too fat’, or ‘wouldn’t suit it’. I think every woman needs to make some time for themselves, even if just for a day and do something that is just for them. There is a 1950s bombshell in everyone.”
After long-admiring the classic pin-ups of the WWII era and recently embracing a more vintage look to suit my post-baby curves, I finally had the chance to walk into Bexterity’s luscious studio (above) and have my own dream 1940s themed pin-up shoot for my upcoming 40th, as a gift from my husband, Berndt. Complete with victory rolls, bullet bra, a custom navy dress from Doll Deluxe and 1940s planes to drape myself over (and even seamed stockings so I didn’t need to draw the line up the back of my legs, a luxury a lot of ladies in the 40s didn’t have) I very much felt the part – though my young daughter had all the best moves, as is evident in the shots below.
Here is a behind the scenes look at the experience, and some of the finished shots, below:
Above: ‘Me sit on plane too, mummy. Me sit, too.’
After quite possibly shocking a few innocent pilots at the airfield, I sat down with Bek Morris to ask her about her love of vintage pin-ups:
What first made you interested in vintage and particularly 50s vintage?
I love the cars of the era and it was from there that my passion grew to the fashion and the styling. I love mid century and atomic furniture as well – my entire house is furnished in authentic bits and bobs from this era. I live and breathe the lifestyle, right down to my automobiles. Currently in the garage are a 1962 EK Holden, 1951 Pontiac Chieftain and 1966 Mercedes Benz. I dress 50s style every single day and I love how glamourous it makes you look and feel.
What do you love about vintage pin-ups and who is your favourite vintage pin-up and artist/photographer?
I love that it is about celebrating real women [and] body shapes. It suits every woman no matter what size they are or what part of the world they are from. It’s very feminine, and accentuates our best assets! Of course my initial inspiration came from the original artists of the 40s and 50s… Gil Elvgren… and from there my eyes were opened to the likes of Vargas, and one of my latest favourites, Peter Dribben.
What made you start Bexterity?
Six and a half years ago I was doing my pin-up makeovers for fun every now and then, and working full time in the city for a financial firm. I had had enough of the ‘rat race’ and literally walked out of my job and never looked back, only to find out a few days later I was pregnant and it was then that I decided to put all of my time into making Bexterity transform from my hobby to my career. I started out as a small at-home based business and have now grown nationally with a studio and Your One Stop PinUp Shop in both Campbelltown and Brisbane.
If your inner bombshell is dying to get out, check out Bexterity.
* Behind the scenes photographs copyright of Berndt Sellheim, 2013. Pin-up shots above, copyright of Bek Morris, 2013.
* This blog has not been sponsored. (In fact, none of my blogs have.)
Wonderful! I am inspired
Great shots by Berndt. And an awesome birthday present by the sounds of it. These look really fantastic!
I love Bek’s stuff. These pinup shoots would look great on my blog – retrogoddess.blogspot.com
You look fantastic Tara. The pinup look suits you so much.
What a fabulous photo shoot – lucky you! 🙂
Stunning as always
Stunning shots. You look so at home in that era and with that look.
I’ve had a photoshoot done by Bexterity back at the beginning of 2012. I had just gotten my adult braces off and wanted to treat myself after 2 years of feeling a bit ugly duckling. She is a genius! I don’t know anyone so talented in so many fields. I’m a massive fan of Fifties style and dress in it nearly every day. Bek Morris is an absolute role model for me. (And as a young writer, so is Tara! Thanks for the awesome blog!)
Just wow
So inspired 🙂
xx
Hi Tara, thank you for the massive complement of sharing my Bexterity experience. Again the experience from Bek keeps on giving.
Thanking you again Vikki
Stunning pics. Vintage style is always glamorous! Your daughter looks so sweet too..just found your blog.take care. Amelia http://www.chaiacupoflife.com
I have my shoot with Bek in Feb.. so very excited
Bek does amazing work! I did a regular pin up shoot at the begining of last year and just did vintage plane shoot right before Christmas, inspired by yours. Both times I felt filled with confidence and never felt more beautiful.
I must have caught her on a bad day. I was so excited before the photoshoot, it was a treat for me, but on the day I felt like I was imposing on her somehow. After the shoot I stopped on the side of the road and wiped the make up off and cried all the way home. Not what I expected.