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Natascha & Olga At The Royal Monceau, Paris

……….Natascha and Olga agreed to meet me in the lobby of the Royal Monceau where we would check in for the shoot of the day. I arrived at the check in desk only to find that the models got there earlier than me, and were waiting at the lobby bar/lounge to have a drink. Those two girls new how to get around. As soon as I noticed them seated in the lounge with drinks in hand, there were several Arab sheiks hovering around them, curious I’m sure as to who they were. Sting was having a drink at the bar just a few feet away.

Russian's Kiss

Our room wasn’t ready so I joined the girls at the lounge to soak in the sights and sounds. Suddenly I heard a loud voice coming from the check in desk of a man screaming at the top of his lungs, “Where is my baggage, Where is my baggage” repeatedly. I noticed a man yelling at the concierge, it was Helmut Newton and his wife June close behind.

Torn Hose

I immediately felt like a little boy watching a cartoon character of one of his idols in real time. at that moment, I didn’t know quite what to say or do. I was speechless. I always wanted to meet Helmut Newton and I had learned through some German contacts that he was becoming familiar with my work as well. I told the girls who he was, and they suggested that I introduce myself if the opportunity presented itself.

Sixty Nine Using Chairs

Well it did. Helmut got everything straightened out with the concierge about the missing baggage. I’m sure like any photographer he was afraid that perhaps his equipment was lost. No doubt he was probably there to do some shooting. He and June walked over to the elevator to check in to their room. That was my chance as they were just in front of me. I finally mustered the hutzpah to approach him. As I rose to my feet, the elevator door opened and Helmut and June proceeded to enter the lift. I got to the door just as it was about to close. Helmut pushed the open door button for me. That was it!

Royal Monceau

To see the entire sitting of Natascha and Olga and more Erotica from the Tony Ward archives, log on to tonyward.com

Natascha & Olga

……….I was in a meeting with my former magazine editor Dian Hanson at her Leg Show office in New York, when she casually mentioned that she was going to be photographed by Helmut Newton for this Sumo sized book that he was publishing with Benedict Taschen. It sounded like an interesting project and I was delighted to hear that Ms. Hanson was invited to Paris to have her portrait taken by the grand master.

She mentioned that Helmut was staying at The Royal Monceau on a regular basis and doing some shooting there. I also enjoy shooting in great hotels myself so Dian suggested I check it out the next time I visited Paris. It just so happened that I had already made arrangements to photograph two Russian models from St. Petersburg, on location in Paris for Penthouse a week earlier, so I decided to book a suite at the Monceau instead of my usual place, The Hotel Regina just a short cab drive away.

To be continued…………….

Alexandra

……….We agreed to meet for dinner at a tiny quaint restaurant just off the Rue de Rivoli. A charming enough place with fine French cuisine to discuss the shoot we were about to embark upon the following day at my hotel suite in Paris. Alexandra was born and raised in France and lived just outside the ring, so I knew she would pick a good place to dine.

Hotel Regina

She completely embodied my idea of a beautiful French woman, and possessed the confidence in front of the camera to portray the role I wished for her to play. If there is any hotel that sets the mood for a classic erotic sitting, its Hotel Regina, a place that I frequent when I stay in Paris. If your looking to travel and want good old fashioned French charm, this is the place.

French Beauty

The grand old hotel is uniquely located at the corner of Rue de Rivoli and Place des Pyramides, facing the Louvre and the famous Tuileries Gardens. All of the bedrooms are furnished in Louis XV and Louis XVI decorative styles, contemporary it is not.

Alexandra Semi Nude

Alexandra easily felt at home and we quickly moved through a series of poses that she planned. Her experience as a well known nude model for some of France’s finest photographers made my work for the day, quite easy and relaxing.

Alexandra With Partial Shave

Just remember, Alexandra does not come with the room. The hotel is a BYOB, bring your own babe………………..