Elvis Pro Photo shoots 1950's.

[jasper]

I have always been curious about 2 professional photo shoot sessions that Elvis sat during the 1955/66 era. The first shoot was probably end of 1955 maybe? A photo was used on the front cover of his second LP (LPM-1382). I have seen a few variations if this photo from the front on and full length.

The second photo shoot I will identify by the LP “For LP Fans Only”. I have seen many shots of Elvis In all 3 different colored velvet shirts from this session (blue, red, and deep burgundy). There must have been many photos taken this session as Elvis also wore several outfits (Peace In the Valley EP).

Can any of you EP fans (maybe Ger) put a date and place to the photo sessions. I would like to try to generate interest into this subject as it would be brilliant to have these sessions released as photo books in full color. Bert Stein did a similar project with Marilyn Monroe and releases a large book with every single film sell from the photo shoot. Such books of Elvis close up in color from the 50’s would be amazing.

Jasper.

[TALLHAIR 2]

Jasper, dont tell me you missed all the threads on the photo from the cover
of the first album discussed in length here in the past 2-3 years?!
James Vincent Roy posted great location shots of the Fort Homer Hesterly
Armory in Tampa recently. The 'classic' lpm 1254 cover photo was made
there, july 31st, 1955. Ernst mentioned he has more than 20 different
photos of Elvis that day. Many will see publication in his Sun project book.
The velvet shirt photos, suit & tie photos, zebra shirt photos and a ton
of others, easy to spot checking his hairstyle, were all made at 20th Century
Fox studios, at the time of filming Love Me Tender.
Many will see print next year in Inside LMT by Elvis Unlimited.
It should have been ready this year, but they went for carpet, curtains
and chairs first... sez a lot of what Elvis fans in general like best...

[jasper]

Hi Ger,

Thanks for your comments. It was the second album I was refering not the first. LPM-1382 and the EP Strictly Elvis. I have seen a few full length shots including Elvis' feet. Also him twisting with the guitar (Purple and white stipe shirt). Where and when were these photos taken and have they been released anywhere as a set? I would love see them all complete.

Jasper.

[TALLHAIR 2]

plenty talk on the 2nd album cover as well! Photographer was David B Heght.
Check the photosection from the last so many months. And why is the Lew
Allen book so overpriced? Because they - photographer& Publisher- are
a bunch of greedy ba.... , thats why.

[jasper]

Thanks Ger, i will look over the old posts. I would love a book to get released in full colour with photos right from the negs, the way you did "Songs of innocence" with noth these sets pf photos. The LMT velvet shirt session has always been a favorite of mine. Maybe you are the man Ger!

Jasper.

[drjohncarpenter]

plenty talk on the 2nd album cover as well! Photographer was David B Heght.

David B. Hecht is credited with the cover shot of Elvis (RCA LPM-1382, 1956) ->



Some of his other shots were used on various EPs and singles, including this great one for "All Shook Up" ->



Here's another ->



Hecht did very nicely with the color studio shots. All likely taken in New York, probably circa March 1956. Notice the guitar is the same one seen being played by Elvis on the back cover of Elvis Presley (RCA LPM-1254, 1956). Note: those three were taken by the famed "PoPsie" at RCA New York in December 1955.

Sadly, Hecht turned over all his negatives to Boxcar Enterprises after the session, and never saw another penny for his work. Shocker!