It was twenty years ago in the Summer of 1984 that Charlotte and I first met in Providence, Rhode Island. She had just graduated from RISD, and I was home for the summer from Duke. The two of us were working in a sandwich shop called Penguins on Thayer Street across from the Avon movie theater.
I recently saw an exhibit called Return to Elegance in the Lobby of the Arclight Theater in Hollywood. It was the work of local photographer Roger Gania James -- a collection of Hurrell-style Hollywood glamour photos with a vintage 1940's look. As a 20th wedding anniversary gift to me, Charlotte agreed to sit for him. Some of the results are above.
UPDATE 6/1/2005:
You wouldn't know it from Google, but he has a web site. http://www.rogerganiajames.com Thanks to one of the commentors below for finding it.
Here is the contact info he provides: http://rogerganiajames.com/inquiries.html
He's really great.
UPDATE 5/1/2006
Some other California photographers working in a vintage style.
Film Noir Portraiture by Jim Ferreira
UPDATE 8/13/2006
Mark Wangerin has an Amphoto book coming out late in 2007 entitled How To Create Vintage Hollywood Lighting in the Digital Age according to his web site.
UPDATE 10/6/2009
A commenter below makes a recommendation: Gordon Ayers of London
Looks great.
...as far as the Mark Wangerin book goes... I've been looking forward to it, but from what I can see that pleasure remains one for the future.
UPDATE 10/26/2009
Some pretty great deals from Pyramid Films on used movie lighting - Mole Richardson-style fresnel lens hot lights.
The photos are beautiful. I saw the exhibit at the ArcLight as well and have been looking for the photographer online. This is all I have found. Do you know if he has a website? Thanks.
He doesn't have a web site as far as I know. you can email him at rogerjames at aol dot com
I, too, am very interested in this style of portraiture and have just attempted to email him at the above mentioned AOL address. This was unable to be sent as that email address does not exist. If anyone has a suggestion on how to contact Roger Gania James, please let me know.
Thanks,
Rebecca
I have additional contact info for anyone who emails or leaves a comment asking for it.
I would like to get Mr. James's contact info, please.
Well, you're in luck. The email address given for Mr. James in this thread is correct and he does have a website, though why Google doesn't find it is beyond me.
http://www.rogerganiajames.com/
I hope I've helped him get lots of work with this - though I've never met him, his talented work surely speaks for itself.
--Doc.
That's great! I wonder why Google doesn't find it. I'll update the blog entry.
...also, I notice that the AOL email address I supplied for Roger Gania James above is that it was missing the letter "g" between "roger" and "james" -- maybe addresses both work?
I actually just spoke to Roger. His website is temporarily down. His email is Rogergjames@aol.com If you would like his direct line I can provide that too.
here's his website address:
http://www.rogerganiajames.com/
i love the 1940s a true time of beauty i would love any photos i could find
Here is one more. Gordon Ayres from London.
He does some stunning Hollywood Glamour style.
http://gordonayresphotographer.com/
best, Frank