Blog

Studio News: Recent Vintage Print Sale

.

Tony_Ward_tableaux_vivants_title_Dinner_For_Two_sale_sold
Dinner For Two, Philadelphia 1995
 

Photography and Text by Tony Ward, Copyright 2017.

.

STUDIO NEWS: RECENT VINTAGE PRINT SALE

.

This 11 x 14 inch vintage photograph entitled, “Dinner For Two, Philadelphia 1995  is from the book of Tableaux Vivants, published by Editions Stemmle, Zurich, 2002.  The archival print was recently sold to a private collector in Philadelphia for $2500.00.  It was the only print of its kind in inventory and from a  very rare limited edition of prints. The picture is part of a series of Tableaux Vivants I produced between the years 1993 to 2000. This particular photo was staged at the Striped Bass in Philadelphia,  once declared by Esquire Magazine as the number one restaurant in the United States for dining at the time.  Owners, Joe Wolf and Neil Stein commissioned me to make the photograph for an ad that would later run in Philadelphia magazine to promote the famous restaurants “midnight breakfast”.

 To see more pictures from this series, click herehttps://tonyward.com/early-work/tableaux-vivants-1993-2000/

.

For Vintage Print Sales: Email Tony@TonyWard.com

Diary: Isabella Reneaux – The First Sitting

.

 

.

 

Photography and Text by Tony Ward, 2017

.

DIARY: ISABELLA RENEAUX – THE FIRST SITTING

.

The very first sitting with Isabella Reneaux took place just off of Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia.  I had been searching for an appropriate location for days until I discovered the most intimate boutique hotel in the area.  The next time your in town I highly recommend Rittenhouse 1715.  The atmosphere in the hotel got us in a good mood, making it easier to make sexy pictures. Believe it or not, I am not only inspired by the model I work with, but also the environment I work in.  I could have shot her there for days.  It seemed like days anyway.   Isabella knew just how far she could push my imagination and which part of her beauty to emphasize as I clicked each frame.  She became even more at ease once all of her clothes were removed.

.

To access additional photographs of my sittings with Isabella Reneaux, become a member.  Register herehttp://tonywarderotica.com/category/membership-account/

.

To access additional Diary entries, click herehttp://tonywarderotica.com/diary-dutch-treat/

.

 

.

Diary: Dutch Treat

.

DIARY: DUTCH TREAT . The trip to Amsterdam was winding down after several days of continuous shoots. I arranged my schedule so that I could take the last couple of days off to relax with friends before heading back to the states to process the work that was produced for a new book project. It just so happened that on my day off, a huge soccer match was being played in town. Everybody was in a good mood in anticipation of the colossal sporting event. If you have never been to Holland during a Champions League tournament match, its like a Major League playoff baseball game in the states, but way more intense. There was a heightened sense of national pride in the atmosphere while most of the country stopped everything they were doing to watch the contest on television. I decided to return to a sports bar that I had visited on an earlier trip, where I could get a bite to eat, enjoy the match and throw down a few Heineken's in between the roars of the local Dutch fan base. I also recalled the last time I visited this particular bar a few months earlier, the bartender was gorgeous and my instincts were telling me she would be a welcome addition to the pages of the new book I was working on of female nudes. . NextGEN Gallery . As I entered the establishment I was in luck. There she was again. I noticed the pale skin, long blond curly hair through the thick smoke filled room. The raucous mostly male clientele hardly seemed to take notice of the native beauty. I meandered towards the bar where she was serving drinks an grabbed the last stool available just as the thrilling match began. After a few moments she approached and immediately recognized me from the last time I visited. This time we exchanged pleasantries and I learned more about her as we enjoyed a casual conversation. . Tony_Ward_Studio_erotic_photography_Dutch_women_model_Dagmar_Amsterdam_bartender_blonde_beauty_nudity_topless_nudes_reclining Dagmar Reclining . Dagmar was friendly like most of the Dutch women that I have encountered in the past. I explained to her that I was a photographer working on a picture book and proceeded to show her a portfolio sample of images on my cell phone. Cellular internet access is a very useful tool for the traveling photographer. She was impressed with my work and agreed to meet me at my hotel for a sitting after work. After the match, I quickly rushed back to my hotel suite to prepare the room and my equipment for her arrival. Dagmar's shapely figure is a result of many years of classical training in dance, her true passion in life. . To access additional Diary entries, go here: http://tonywarderotica.com/diary-day-life/
Dutch Treat
 

.

DIARY: DUTCH TREAT

.

The trip to Amsterdam was winding down after several days of continuous shoots.  I arranged my schedule so that I could take the last couple of days off to relax with friends before heading back to the states to process the work that was produced for a new book project. It just so happened that on my day off, a huge soccer match was being played in town.  Everybody was in a good mood in anticipation of the colossal sporting event.  If you have never been to Holland during a Champions League tournament match, its like a Major League playoff baseball game in the states, but way more intense.  There was a heightened sense of national pride in the atmosphere while most of the country stopped everything they were doing to watch the contest on television.  I decided to return to a sports bar that I had visited on an earlier trip, where I could get a bite to eat, enjoy the match and throw down a few Heineken’s in between the roars of the local Dutch fan base. I also recalled the last time I visited this particular bar a few months earlier, the bartender was gorgeous and my instincts were telling me she would be a welcome addition to the pages of the new book I was working on of female nudes.

.

.

As I entered the establishment I was in luck.  There she was again.  I noticed the pale skin, long blond curly hair through the thick smoke filled room.  The raucous mostly male clientele hardly seemed to take notice of the native beauty.  I meandered towards the bar where she was serving drinks an grabbed the last stool available just as the thrilling match began.  After a few moments she approached and immediately recognized me from the last time I visited.  This time we exchanged pleasantries and I learned more about her as we enjoyed a casual conversation.

.

Tony_Ward_Studio_erotic_photography_Dutch_women_model_Dagmar_Amsterdam_bartender_blonde_beauty_nudity_topless_nudes_reclining
Dagmar Reclining

.

Dagmar was friendly like most of the Dutch women that I have encountered in the past.  I explained to her that I was a photographer working on a picture book and proceeded to show her a portfolio sample of images on my cell phone.  Cellular internet access is a very useful tool for the traveling photographer.  She was impressed with my work and agreed to meet me at my hotel for a sitting after work.  After the match, I quickly rushed back to my hotel suite to prepare the room and my equipment for her arrival.  Dagmar’s shapely figure is a result of many years of classical training in dance, her true passion in life.

.

To access additional Diary entries, go herehttp://tonywarderotica.com/diary-day-life/

.

Light Table: The Philo Project

.

Tony_Ward_Studio_Philo_Project_model_Jennie_Shapiro_UPenn_Philomathean_Society_2012_nudes_erotica_bondage_photography_ivy_league
Jennie: The Philo Project
 

 

Photography and Text by Tony Ward, Copyright 2017

.

THE PHILO PROJECT

.

During my second year of teaching Photography classes at the University of Pennsylvania, I was asked by members of  the universities Philomathean Society to lecture about my involvement in erotic photography. Founded in 1813, Philo is a student run literary society located atop College Hall in the heart of campus life.  Several  Philo members asked me to photograph them in the nude as part of their learning experience regarding  this controversial genre of photographic history. The photographs were taken in the halls of the society where traditional adornments contributed to the classically composed imagery. Photographs from the series are now part of the societies records and notes.

.

Tony_Ward_Studio_Philo_Project_model_Jennie_Shapiro_UPenn_Philomathean_Society_2012_nudes_erotica_bondage_photography_ivy_league_heart_medical_student_male
Paul: The Philo Project

 

 

Jean Ward: July 9, 1920 – June 10, 2017

.

Tony_Ward_Studio_Jean_Ward_passing_eulogy_death_Trasatti_love_mom_forever
Jean Ward: July 9, 1920 – June 10, 2017

 

Eulogy by Gina Cimino

.

JEAN WARD: JULY 9, 1920 – JUNE 10, 2017

.

Just yesterday morning, June 10th, 2017, at 6:00 AM, My Family lost a Mother, a Grandmother, a Sister, a Sister-in law, an Aunt, a Godmother, and a Friend. I am honored to represent My Family, The Wards, and Trasatti’s, in paying tribute to my Aunt and Godmother, Jenny Ward.

For so many reasons, and in so many ways, Aunt Jenny left a permanent mark upon my life. I’m convinced that whatever I am, whatever I am to become, I owe it to all those who have left an imprint on my life: my parents, yes, who gave me life; my Aunt Rita, too, who enriched my life, and Aunt Jenny who refined, and one might even say, defined, my life.

I am not sure if I totally understood this as a child, but as an adult looking back, I realized that many of the values I hold for myself were shaped by watching my Aunt Jenny’s life, and benefitting from that life. She taught me to Love and Accept all people of every age, color, ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, status, ability, sexual identity, and/or country, no matter who they are, what they do, or who they Love! 

She embodied the spirit of parenthood, as she raised and loved her three children, Mark, Dwight, and Tony, unconditionally. Everything she did was for her family. As a woman, she was a pillar of strength, courage, and determination. As a Mother, she dedicated her entire life to her family.  She will always be remembered for her never tiring, and never-ending love, she so effortlessly gave to all of us!

She was a gracious host, she was a phenomenal cook, and she always made you feel welcomed in her beautiful, cozy home. I remember so many weekends, as we would pull up to her driveway, you could hear the sweet sound of the saxophone, as she played her jazz albums on the stereo, mixed with the scent of her delicious food, cooking on the stove. Aunt Jenny always understood what really mattered. It was being with her family that mattered! Now, she was not perfect. Was she stern? Yes! Could she speak her mind? Yes! Could she put you in your place without uttering a word—with just one look? Oh, Yes!

However, she also possessed something that is so unique—and sadly, it is growing increasingly unique: She had a servant’s heart. She spent her life taking care of her family, and therefore, “Her Life”, was a life of, “True Sacrifice”.

Too often, we measure success by how much money one makes, but the truth is we must measure our lives by God’s plan. Therefore, I define success as fulfilling the purpose for which God called us, and I believe with all my heart, that my Aunt Jenny fulfilled that purpose. I believe with all my heart, her life was an “epic success”. When you look at her Sons, you see her success; when you look at her Grand Children, you see her success; when you look at me, you see her success. Therefore, she still lives. She has left a legacy that will not die.

I spent a good bit of time with Aunt Jenny over the last few years, and as difficult as those times were, they were, oddly, some of the most precious times God allowed me to have. It was a time of personal healing, and bonding; it gave me a chance to talk with her, to laugh with her, to enjoy pictures of family with her, and very often, just to sit there quietly. It allowed me an opportunity to remind her of how much I Loved her, and I “Thank God”, for that opportunity. Some people do not get that opportunity. It is something I will always cherish, and I know God had a plan—and He worked it, as only He can. I cannot say I understand it all, because I do not, but I trust Him.

As I end, Aunt Jenny may have departed this life, but her legacy lives on. It lives on in the lives of so many; it lives on in me, and among the most prominent of those lives, is the life of my Aunt Jenny, for she is the one who “Shaped my Values”.

.

Jean_Ward_passing_June_10_2017_tony_ward_studio_love
Jean Ward: Rest in Peace
 

.