Beaded White Wedding Dress. Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023
Text by ChatGBT
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Edited by Tony Ward
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Why Get Married?
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Marriage is a social institution that has been around for centuries. It is an essential aspect of our culture, and many people choose to get married for various reasons. Some people get married for love, while others get married for companionship, financial stability, or to start a family. However, with the rise of divorce rates, many people are questioning the institution of marriage. So, why get married?
Marriage can be a fulfilling experience that provides a sense of companionship and emotional support. A good marriage can improve your mental and physical health and give you a partner to share your life with. It can also provide a stable environment for raising children and building a family. However, a bad marriage can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression, and even physical health problems.
The chances of success or failure in a marriage can depend on many factors, including age, education, income, and personality traits. According to statistics, the divorce rate in America has increased over the years. In the 1950s, the divorce rate was around 20%, while in 2020, it was around 39%. However, the rate of divorce has been declining in recent years, possibly due to changes in attitudes toward marriage, increased access to education and contraception, and a higher age at first marriage.
Despite the challenges, many couples still choose to get married. Marriage can provide a sense of stability and security that is difficult to find in other relationships. It can also provide legal protections and benefits, such as tax breaks, inheritance rights, and access to healthcare.
Ultimately, the decision to get married is a personal one that should be made carefully and thoughtfully. Before making such a significant commitment, it is essential to discuss your expectations and goals with your partner, seek pre-marital counseling, and be aware of the challenges that come with marriage.
In conclusion, marriage can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience that provides a sense of companionship, emotional support, and stability. While the chances of success or failure in marriage depend on many factors, it is essential to approach the decision to get married with care and consideration. With the right preparation and commitment, marriage can be a source of happiness and fulfillment for many years to come.
Beth first reached out to me on Facebook. She had a nice profile up. Lots of photos that showed her interest in fashion modeling. She also was photographed by a couple of friends of mine in Philly . That gave her street credit. I agreed to meet her to discuss a shoot. At that time, I was working on a new book project that eventually would be titled Fashion Fetish 25 Years. A book that would be about the cross section of fashion and erotic photography. Kind of like Vogue and Playboy merge to create a new type of contemporary magazine. That fantasy magazine never happened. The series of photographs did. This was the reason I agreed to collaborate with Beth.
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Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023
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We first met in person at the Copabanana on South street, a place we were both familiar with. The meeting went as expected, she was bright, sensitive and very familiar with my previous work. By the time we left Copa we made a plan to meet again at a location where we could shoot. I asked her to bring vintage fashion, as she reminded me of the type of young beauty that I could see cast in classic English films or a famous television series like EastEnders.
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Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023
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After scouting a few different location, I settled on two locations, a friends house and the A-Loft in Marlton, New Jersey. I had photographed models at both locations before and was always satisfied with the style of the rooms and the available light that was a plus for certain situations. Beth always arrived before me on the day of the shoot. I’m impressed when a model is early and ahead of schedule.
As I approached the reception desk of the hotel, I noticed her seated in the lounge area reading a book looking very studious. That was an impressive look. Her thirst for knowledge and her conservative looks were at the top of my mind until we began to shoot. Then her alter ego kicked in.
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Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023
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I quickly assessed her wardrobe and accessories then proceeded to take her through a series of classic and provocative possesses that she seamlessly adapted to as if she had made these same poses many times before. That thought couldn’t have been further from the truth. I’ll never forget when she made the comment that she had “never worn pantyhose before”, let alone the crotchless type that you wouldn’t normally find in the catalogue at Victoria’s Secret.
One of the joys of being a photographer for the past 40 plus years is that I’ve accumulated a large body of work and incredible visual memories. In this series of pictures, the subject met me only once but left a trail of images that brings back memories of the days, months and years I worked in Amsterdam photographing some of the most beautiful women in the world.
On September 25th, 2003 I was out having dinner and drinks at Club Nl, a very well known night club in the heart of the city that was frequented mostly by locals. This was the place where I often met with Dutch friends to enjoy Amsterdam’s nightlife. It was also a place where I scouted for models.
On this particular evening almost 30 years ago, Frans a close friend mentioned there was a young woman by the name of Layla who wanted to meet me for a casting. Arrangements were made for the prospective model to meet me at the apartment I was renting in the Red light District. Layla arrived on a beautiful sunny afternoon looking forward to the opportunity to meet me with hopes that she could model for one of the magazines of which I was a contributing photographer. She knew that I was a specialist in erotic photography so the sitting went smoothly as she was eager to exhibit her youthful beauty within this small sliver of time that has left lasting visual memories.
Sneakers to me are more than an item of clothing. It’s a way for me to express myself. I’m never the most outspoken person in the room. It’s often my sneakers that speak for me. My love of shoes started at a young age. My grandfather would send me a pair once a year. Upon his passing, I had a pretty nice collection. Unfortunately with his passing so did my love for shoes. It was many years later I met my friend Herb Simpson. His exact words to me were “You’re a good dude but you need better shoes”. The next day he came to work with the newest Jordans for me. With that one gesture, the love for shoes was back. For a while, I would often run my purchases by Herb. If he approved I would purchase it. I eventually developed my style and direction. My collection started as only Air Jordans. I branched out to Adidas, Reebok, Fila, Puma, Vans, and Asics. If I felt it was nice I got it. Like many people during the pandemic, I had a lot of free time. So I decided to try something different. I began recording YouTube videos about sneakers. I did vlogs of me shopping in stores. I also did reviews of the newest sneakers. Things started to pick up for me during that time. With the notoriety from my videos, I began selling shoes. It started slow but I became everyone’s sneaker connect. Sneakers have allowed me to do things I would’ve never thought of. From traveling to different events, being on podcasts, modeling for K.Vaughn, and now even being on the cover of Tony Ward Studio. In closing, if you have a passion, no matter how big or small follow it. You never know where it might take you!
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Matthew Sampson. Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2022.
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About The Author: Matthew Sampson is a full-time father of a wonderful 16-year-old daughter who also loves shoes. He recently started creating content in 2020 and posting to IG and YouTube. Matt also has become the sneaker connect for multiple people in Philadelphia. You can his sneakers for sale on his Instagram sampson_matt_. Feel free to reach out if you need items sold as well. This is Matt’s first contribution to TWS.
Portrait of Kitchie Ohh by ClickSave Photography, Copyright 2022
Text by Kitchie Ohh, Copyright 2022
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Memories
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We all know that sight, smell, and sound can trigger memory. Neuroscience has proven this to be true, finding that the same part of our the brain that processes our senses is also partly responsible for storing emotional memories. As someone who has on multiple occasions said “this smell reminds me of…” or immediately thinks of someone with just a few notes of a song, I am not at all surprised. I am shocked that it took actual scientific study, though, as it seems a clear and logical connection.
This sensory-emotional connection is very likely the reason the holidays are so overwhelming for many of us. We decorate, we prepare special foods that emit delicious smells, and listen to songs written and performed specifically for this season. These things are tradition, they’ve been done for centuries, passed through generations. It seems nearly impossible to not be triggered into remembering people and holidays past during the extended period of exposure.
While our senses can, and do, link happy memories to all of these things, if you’re anything like me, you sit with the opposite type for a little longer, and compare what is to what was. Who was there to who is gone now, or who wasn’t always but now is. Memory and feeling get all jumbled.
When I pull out the decorations, the ones I hand-selected to match my style and home, I can’t help but think of all the pieces I used to excitedly pull out of their storage boxes to help decorate my childhood home and our tree. There were definitely some ornaments that I tried to avoid using only to find that mom had pulled them out to display after I had finished. Those styrofoam, glittery apples were in a word: hideous. But the year we found the squirrels had gotten into the decorations and destroyed them was sad, and something I always think of when trimming the tree. Those apples were from my parents’ first Christmas tree after they were married. I get it now. Sorry, Mom, but they were still ugly.
When I bake my dozens and dozens of cookies, alone in my kitchen, in the organized, step-by-step, everything-must-be-uniform process I rely on, I remember the way we used to make them growing up. It was an explosion of sugar, flour, and so many sprinkles. It was chaos. The sweetest, happiest chaos of at least half a dozen people in the kitchen and dining room- mixing, rolling, filling, and decorating. Every surface in those two rooms got absolutely covered. We made such a mess. Again, sorry, Mom! But also, thanks. I also recall the batches of cookies that only Grammy made. I loved to see them, didn’t like to eat them – the anisette and almond extracts she loved were not my favorite, still aren’t. I would give up all of the baked goods in the world to have her at the kitchen table with those heavily flavored, secret recipe cookies of hers this Christmas.
I’m not at all religious these days, but a dozen years at Catholic school sure drilled an appreciation for those Christmas hymns into my head. I can even still sing a few of them in Latin. Though, I do prefer the non-religious carols and above all, enjoy the jazzy, swingy versions like those performed by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. No matter what style they might be sung in, I cannot hear “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” or “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” without giggling at my Poppy’s versions. In case you were wondering, he insisted they were “Mark and Harold Angels Sing” and “God Rest Ye Gerry Mendelson.” Newer versions of misheard lyrics have weaved their way into the holiday memories thanks to my nieces and nephews. I think Poppy would have loved them and sang along.
Laughing while crying, smiling but sad, enjoying the presence of others while unable to ignore the void left by those absent. The holidays as an adult have taken a more reflective turn for me. I appreciate that I am able to see Santa and remember that time Aunt Betty decorated her entire bedroom to be Christmas year round. Or that year I learned the truth about how presents magically appeared under the tree after I heard one go thumping down the steps with Grammy chasing behind it cursing in Italian like we didn’t know what she was saying. And the time our extended family pollyanna was too much for the restaurant and Nanny was asked to never book there again. (For the record, I do not blame the management of that establishment at all! We were a lot then, and even more now!) All the visits from distant family friends and relatives, the local ones too, that slowed, stopped and have since faded to memory. All of it that comes rushing back with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, brings with it a twinge of sadness, sure, but most importantly, overwhelming gratitude that in all my years on this planet, I have been completely surrounded by love. No matter what else may change, that never will.
There are at least 14 holidays that occur in December. Each, I am sure, comes with specific sensory-emotion-memory triggers. So whichever one is yours, I wish you the happiest, merriest, best one ever.
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Portrait of Kitchie Ohh by ClickSave Photography, Copyright 2022.
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About The Author:
Kitchie Ohh is a full-time professional fundraiser who has worked with a number of health and human services nonprofits for over the last 20 years, currently with a food-related Philadelphia nonprofit. She found her passion for modeling after a pinup-style photoshoot in 2013. Since then she’s worked with many talented photographers, stylists, hair and makeup artists in a variety of styles. She has been featured in -and on the covers of- multiple print and digital publications. Over the years she has branched out from pinup studio modeling to serve as a figure model for live sketching, walked a runway, and was part of two campaigns for local Philadelphia designer K. Vaughn.
In addition to her food insecurity-related work, she has also volunteered with art, historical, and community organizations, and even on the events team of a local brewery, pre-pandemic.
You’re just as likely to find her whipping up something deliciously plant-based in her kitchen or knitting a sweater as you are to find her on a photography set. Her motto is “be both.” The model and the homemaker, sultry and sweet, serious and silly. All the things, all at once.
