Popular Culture Archives - Tony Ward Studio

ChatGBT: Why Get Married?

beautiful young woman seated wearing a beaded white custom bridal dress — Beaded White Wedding Dress. Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023

Text by ChatGBT

Edited by Tony Ward

Why Get Married?

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.

Fashion Fetish: On Location With Beth

Partially nude fashion model posing by a window in a hotel — Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023

Fashion Fetish: On Location With Beth

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.

young female model wearing bra and panty set at home — Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023

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.

beautiful young woman topless wearing pearls at dusk — Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023

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.

Up skirt view of model seated on floor during a fashion shoot — Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023

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.

young model posing at a fashion shoot wearing crotchless panties — Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023

To access additional articles by Tony Ward, click here: https://tonywardstudio.com/blog/mel-the-apartment/

Mel: The Apartment

The Apartment

The apartment that I rented in Amsterdam at the turn of the 2000’s was a perfect location for me to work from at that point in time. I had become friends with local businesswoman, Danny Linden who owned a fetish shop on the famous Oudezijds Achterburgwal in the Red Light district. Danny and I became friends and worked on a number of shoots together for her shop. She realized that I was going back and forth to the states on a regular basis between 1999 and 2005 so she offered me to stay at an apartment that she managed just around the corner from her shop on a tiny little street that looked on to rows and rows of prostitute windows. I was such a frequent visitor that they always said hello to me as if I was their neighbor or something. Yes. There was the something too.

In this part of the apartment where I made the photographs of Mel there was natural light entering the living area windows. The warm red walls bathed my models in beautiful afternoon light as we worked through a series of test pictures for the latest body of work.

Mel was one those visitors on a go see. I remember her most as a makeup artist. However, when I saw how exotic she looked I asked to photograph her right there on the spot. No conversation before , it was very spontaneous. I never saw or had the opportunity to work with Mel as a makeup artist this occasion but I do cherish the brief time that we met. It was fun to have bathed her in such beautiful light.

To access additional articles by Tony Ward, click here: https://tonywardstudio.com/blog/light-table-a-sliver-in-time/

Casting Call: A Sliver in Time

Layla-dutch-casting_call_online_publishing_Amsterdam-min

Casting Call: A Sliver in Time

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.

Matthew Sampson: The Sneaker King

COVER FEATURE

The Sneaker King

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!

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.

Matt’s YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovYBh_odqJg&authuser=0

Editor’s Note: Matt is wearing a KVaughn scarve, Winter collection. Photographed at the Rittenhouse Grill in Philadelphia on November 27, 2022.