The story behind the 80s shoot for the Playboy Channel
Pool Ladies was a photoshoot conceived by art director Ken Scott. It took place in the pool at 46 Clapham North Side, London, during the mid-eighties.
It was inspired by 1930s images of ladies lined up on diving blocks. However, since the shoot was for a Playboy Channel documentary, the composition needed to be a little more titillating!
The models chosen for this shoot were Ziggy, Tracy, Beverly, Sammi, Jeri, and Becky, all of whom were hired through the same glamour agency. If you had any doubt about the decade we were in, you just have to look at the swimsuit styles and hair!
A quick change of outfit, a mock casting, and a spot of lunch later, and the girls were ready to get to work for the three-hour session.
Of course, the models didn’t arrive all glammed up like this.
In the morning, they were actually dressed up in a mix of international costumes for the filming of a building society commercial.
A stark contrast to the upcoming shoot.
And because the cameras were rolling throughout, we have all these amazing “backstage” shots, perfectly preserved in all their glory.
In true Playboy style, the 50s-style pool outfits didn’t stay on for long. Meanwhile, Michael and Ken carefully arranged the models and set up the composition for the shoot.
Stylist Felicity made sure that the ladies’ swim hats and hair remained perfectly in place to maintain a consistent look.
What you don’t see in the final shot is that the pool was actually really tiny – just 15 feet (4.6 meters) wide. The girls were lined up along the long edge, so the space for diving was extremely tight.
In the end, the model only dived three times, because the risk of hitting the poolside was too high. However, three was plenty since one of them turned out to be the shot.
You can also see in the background of these images the array of lighting and screens used to set the scene and mood of the shoot.
Even though the models took their job seriously, plenty of fun was had on the day, and they were more than happy to laugh, play, and pose with the crew.
The final image (the one you see at the top of this blog post) was printed onto a poster with the line “False Start, Photo Finish.”
What is also amazing is that among the stacks of VHS tapes in my Dad’s home, we have found the video recording of the Playboy documentary. We hope to digitize this soon to preserve this fascinating slice of Michael Joseph’s legacy.
Throughout his career, Michael was no stranger to shooting poolside.
These stunning images are from a later shoot featuring nude models shot from above. Dubbed Swimming Opposite, the result is a serene and ethereal scene that evokes a feeling of calm.
Michael didn’t just photograph the ladies. Jacuzzi James is also a feast for the eyes! This was taken during the same shoot as Swimming Opposite.
This detailed shot of ladies gathered by a poolside was shot in Mill Hill, London, in the early 90s. It features all the characteristic hallmarks of a Michael Joseph orgy scene – the more you look, the more you notice.
The final image was used in an Italian publication for a Franca von Wunster publication of which I am lucky enough to have a copy.
However, my favorite is the black and white version because I feel it lets you concentrate on the details without getting lost in the bright colours.
I hope you enjoyed this little journey into one of Michael Joseph’s most iconic photoshoots. It’s definitely one of my favorites, thanks to the cheeky, playful nature of the girls and the resulting candid shots.
