Vintage Photo Session 

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen  Model: Presley in David's Letter Jacket

Hair and Makeup: Tamarah Ellen

I love the old Hollywood glamour and the fashion of my mother’s era. I used to watch all the old movies from her time and enjoyed admiring the feminine, elegant clothing and hairstyles.  When I was in my twenties and thirties, things got skimpier and shorter, and while I wore those things, I still admired the fashion of the times my mother grew up in.

I believe showing less is more, and not to mention more elegant. We moved from elegant fashion to “why bother” wearing anything.  Perhaps many people feel this as they mature, but I don’t know. For me, the classic styles of the 40s, 50s, and 60s must have been such an elegant time to be a model.  I do, however, enjoy watching our current FLOTUS in her fashion, as some of it reminds me of Jackie Kennedy.

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen  Model: Presley

Hair and Makeup:  Tamarah

I had a recent fashion shoot with my boyfriend, David’s granddaughter, Presley. David took me to a store in downtown Greensboro, Design Archives.  We picked out three things: a sweater, a jacket, and a vintage top for Presley.  The next day, I took Presley to the Design Archives Vintage Emporiam, they fit her perfectly, and she loved them. From there, we went back to my studio, where I started her hair, and a little retro eye shadow on her, nothing else, since she is only eleven years old.

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen  Model: Presley

Hair and Makeup:  Tamarah

We had such a good time, and I love doing the old hairstyles and fun makeup. I’ve been bored with the makeup of today and clothing, so it was fun to do something different. David has bought me a couple of vintage outfits, so I plan to wear them in a photo session soon.  He bought them a while back, and it’s time I had fun with them.

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen  Model: Presley

Hair and Makeup:  Tamarah

I have never enjoyed what other people are doing, as I feel I don’t feel creative when I jump on others’ bandwagons.  I enjoy standing out and being different.  I do plenty of outdoor photo sessions when that’s what the client wants, but often, once someone steps into my studio, with lights, camera, and action, I make them feel like a superstar, and they want to come back.  I’ve grown tired of seeing photos of people sitting in the woods, or in a pile of leaves, so it's back to the studio for me!

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen  Model: Presley

Hair and Makeup:  Tamarah

Creativity feels like it's becoming scarce with the AI approaching faster than the speed of light.  With Presley, we used the motorcycle, with Presley in the perfect silver metallic jacket, adorned with red stripes down the sleeves. David has a Harley-Davidson motorcycle that he customized to look vintage, since it was the last year they made the springer-style. It has little pinup girls painted on the back fender and both sides of the gas tank.  I have only photographed it outdoors with another model, Addy, but to do the bike justice, studio lighting was key to bringing out its uniqueness on set.

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen  Model: Presley

Hair and Makeup:  Tamarah

The green sweater, which Presley loved, was worn with some jeans she already had, and she wore my boots, which look like biker boots, though we didn’t use the bike with this outfit.  I was more focused on her movements and the lighting, and I threw in a piece of fabric for her to play with, as well as in the backdrop. Presley is good with the props I have on hand, and I enjoy using fabrics for texture and props. I like movement in photos, along with shadows for a sense of mystique and elegance. I did Presley’s hair with a little teasing first, then molded a couple of curvy, round shapes to the mix for a retro feel, and applied green/blue eye shadow to her eye lids.

 Photographer: Tamarah Ellen  Model: Presley

Hair and Makeup:  Tamarah

Photography sessions should be fun. Since I used to model back in the day, I remember how much fun studio photography was, and I enjoy creating it in my own studio today.  I am looking forward to more fun photo sessions and using my own creativity to stand out, rather than blend in.  Presley moves well in front of the camera, as I did when modeling, so it is fun to photograph her.

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen  Model: Presley

Hair and Makeup:  Tamarah

The little sleeveless tunic top on Presley was perfect with her leggings, and I enjoyed styling her hair, remembering the women in the old Elvis movies. I put red eye shadow on her lids for this outfit, and it was so cute. Fashion was bold, bright, and feminine in those days. When I saw photos of my mother in a dress, holding one of her babies, it stuck with me how tiny her waist looked and how the dress flared from her waist. She looked like a Barbie doll.

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen  Model: Presley

Hair and Makeup:  Tamarah

Hopefully, one day, elegance will come back through the influence of Melania Trump, our current FLOTUS, and the days of Jackie Kennedy. In the meantime, I will continue to do what I love, and enjoy my clients who dare to be different. 

 Photographer: Tamarah Ellen  Model: Presley

Hair and Makeup:  Tamarah

As I write this, it’s almost Valentine’s Day 2026, so if you would love to have some keepsake Boudoir photos of yourself, hop on over and purchase your session today! You are worth it!

To your own success, rock it! 

Tamarah Ellen