A collection of 600 on-demand prints is now available from the LIFE Photo Store, including iconic images from Marilyn’s 1953 photo shoot with Alfred Eisenstaedt. Customers can order prints in various finishes and sizes, from as small as 12 by 8 inches to museum-size prints at 60-by-40 inches, with prices starting at $95 unframed, or $128 framed, for the smallest size.
“What makes the LIFE collection unique is above all its photographers that usually had rare access to pivotal events—from wars to cultural revolutions—giving us first hand views of history. Their technical mastery, combined with a deep understanding of human emotion, created timeless visuals that still resonate. LIFE’s images didn’t just document history; they shaped it. In an era before digital saturation, these photos stood as powerful, singular snapshots of the world. I also believe, in a world where AI is more and more visible, human taken/made pictures have even more value. LIFE pictures surf above trends, they are timeless.” – Nicolas Lauret, Art Photo Limited
Marilyn was photographed by LIFE staffers from the early days of her career. J.R. Eyerman captured the smiling starlet in costume for Love Happy (1949), while Ed Clark shot a sultry colour portrait in 1950.
In the same year, Clark photographed the upcoming actress at Griffith Park in Los Angeles, but the feature was nixed by a LIFE editor and so the photos remained obscure for many years.
Clark later captured Marilyn with co-star Jane Russell shooting their ‘Two Little Girls From Little Rock’ number for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) for a LIFE cover story.
He also made a pin-up shot of Marilyn in her famous gold lamé dress, and documented her unforgettable performance of ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.’
Another LIFE photographer, Loomis Dean, documented Marilyn’s 1952 appearance at the Look Magazine Awards in the Beverly Hills Hotel; and in 1957, Peter Stackpole photographed her dining with husband Arthur Miller and financier Winthrop W. Aldrich during the April in Paris Ball at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
And finally, two more relaxed shots of Marilyn: firstly, Yale Joel captured her waving to the crowd from inside the window of a brownstone house on East 61st Street, NYC, during filming of The Seven Year Itch in 1954. And in 1958, Robert Kelley photographed Marilyn in her East 57th Street apartment, pouring drinks for theatre producer Kermit Bloomgarden and Miller, seated off-camera.
The Marilyn Report 