Jim Morrison in Joel Brodsky’s Famous “Young Lion” Photoshoot in 1967

The iconic “Young Lion” photoshoot of Jim Morrison by photographer Joel Brodsky took place in September 1967, in New York City. The session produced some of the most recognizable and widely circulated images of the Doors frontman, solidifying his image as a rock icon. 

According to Brodsky, Morrison was “pretty loose” and quite drunk during the session, stumbling over the studio lights at times. Despite this, the photographer noted that Morrison was wonderful to photograph because of his unique look, and he felt he captured him at his best.

The photoshoot occurred during a significant period for the band, shortly after the release of their debut album. The images helped shape Morrison’s public image as a charismatic and enigmatic “Lizard King.” For the shoot, Morrison wore a specific glass-beaded cobra necklace, made for him by photographer Henry Diltz at the request of 16 Magazine editor Gloria Stavers.

The photos were originally intended to be used for the promotion of Strange Days but have since become the most widely used and iconic images of Jim Morrison, appearing on numerous compilation albums, books, and merchandise.

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Elegant Portraits of Fashion Model Theo Graham in the 1940s and ’50s

Theo Graham (1926–1994) was a highly successful American fashion model who achieved prominence during the mid-1940s to the early 1960s. Active during the golden age of high fashion photography, she worked with legendary photographers like Richard Avedon and graced the pages of influential magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue.

Graham was a quintessential figure in the fashion world, known for wearing iconic pieces from designers like Christian Dior and Balenciaga. Her career spanned both New York and Europe, she spent significant time in Rome and embodied the sophisticated, post-war glamour that defined the era’s international jet set.

Take a look at these elegant photos to see portraits of Theo Graham in the 1940s and 1950s.

Theo Graham in a charming dressmaker suit with unexpected detail in all-wool Miron sheen gabardine by Jaunty Junior, Vogue, February 15, 1945

Theo Graham in an Empire nightgown with deep yoke of white net with body of white jersey piped in blue by Vanity Fair, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, April 1946

Theo Graham in playsuit by Groblue, photo by Richard Avedon, Nassau, Bahamas, March 1946

Theo Graham in Stroock tweed suit with topcoat by Peck & Peck, photo by Tom Palumbo, Harper' Bazaar, August 1946

Theo Graham in wool gabardine suit of black trim against greige from Peck & Peck, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, February 1946

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Ad for Geritol (1971) – All of These Women Are Allegedly 46!

This image is from a controversial Geritol advertisement published around 1971 that sparked significant discussion about aging, health, and societal beauty standards for women.

The advertisement features several women who were all exactly 46 years old at the time the ad ran. The text implies a stark contrast between those who "take better care of themselves" and those who do not, linking better self-care to a more youthful appearance and a continued "busy" life.

Geritol, a vitamin and iron supplement, is presented as one of the "good things" that the more vibrant-looking women do for themselves to get the necessary iron and vitamins, suggesting it is a key to maintaining energy and a youthful look.

The ad generated considerable public discussion and later became a symbol of ageism and the beauty pressures faced by women in the mid-20th century. Viewers at the time, and those reflecting on the ad decades later, often noted that factors like hairstyles, makeup standards, sun exposure, and widespread smoking habits in the era contributed significantly to the perceived differences in appearance, more so than just a vitamin supplement.

Beautiful Portraits of Sophia Loren From “Scandal in Sorrento” (1955)

Scandal in Sorrento (original Italian title: Pane, amore e..., meaning “Bread, Love and...”) is a delightful 1955 Italian comedy film directed by Luigi Comencini. It serves as the third installment in the popular “Bread, Love” film series and notably marks a shift in the central cast and setting.

The film stars the iconic Sophia Loren as Sofia, a beautiful and feisty fishmonger, opposite the celebrated Vittorio De Sica as Marshal Antonio Carotenuto. This time, the action moves from the mountainous villages of previous installments to the picturesque coastal town of Sorrento. The plot revolves around Marshal Carotenuto’s attempts to woo the desirable Sofia, encountering comedic complications and romantic competition along the way.

Scandal in Sorrento is famed for its stunning Mediterranean scenery, Loren’s undeniable charisma, and its perfect embodiment of the lighthearted commedia all’italiana (comedy Italian style) genre. Take a look at these beautiful photos to see portraits of Sophia Loren during the filming of Scandal in Sorrento in 1955.

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30 Polaroid Shots of Pets at Home During Christmas in the Mid-20th Century

In the mid-20th century, taking photos of pets at home during Christmas became popular for several overlapping cultural, technological, and emotional reasons.

The development of portable, user-friendly cameras (such as Polaroid cameras) and more readily available film in the mid-20th century allowed amateur photographers to take spontaneous, candid snapshots in their own homes. This made capturing informal, personal moments, like a pet under the Christmas tree, much easier than in the earlier, more formal studio photography era that required long exposure times.

Christmas was, and is, a peak “ideal moment of celebration” where families focus on home and domestic life. Photographs of pets among the festive decor served to document these cherished family memories and the warmth and comfort of the household.

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Iconic Photos of Concorde and a Citroën DS Taken at Le Bourget Airport in 1969

The iconic photoshoot of the Concorde 001 prototype and a Citroën DS at Le Bourget Airport in 1969 was a publicity shoot intended to highlight French technological and design ingenuity. The photos were taken around the time of the 1969 Paris Air Show, where both the French-built Concorde prototype (F-WTSS) and the British prototype were publicly presented for the first time. These images served as a powerful marketing tool, pairing two groundbreaking French engineering and design icons to celebrate national pride and technological advancement.

Concorde 001 was the first Concorde prototype to fly, having made its maiden flight from Toulouse on March 2, 1969, just months before the air show. It represented the pinnacle of supersonic aviation technology.

Known affectionately as the “Goddess,” the Citroën DS was an iconic French executive car produced between 1955 and 1975. It was renowned for its futuristic design, innovative self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension, and use of advanced materials, symbolizing a different kind of technological marvel on the road.

The pairing was deliberate. Both were seen as bold, design-forward examples of French engineering that pushed the boundaries of what was considered possible in transportation at the time.

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Elsa Martinelli: A Timeless Symbol of Italian Glamour

Elsa Martinelli (1935–2017) was an iconic Italian actress and fashion model who rose to international fame in the mid-1950s. Known for her striking, unconventional beauty and effortless elegance, she was initially discovered by Kirk Douglas, who cast her opposite him in the 1955 western film The Indian Fighter, effectively launching her acting career.

Martinelli successfully transitioned from high fashion modeling into cinema, starring in both European and American productions. Her most notable roles include playing the sophisticated Princess in Howard Hawks’ comedy Hatari! (1962), alongside John Wayne, and winning the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlin Film Festival for the Italian film Donatella (1956).

Throughout the 1960s, Martinelli epitomized the glamorous and modern Italian woman on the global stage, becoming a symbol of the swinging, international jet-set lifestyle.

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