Women everywhere are returning to coiffed locks and red lipstick and embracing a bygone era where the feminine mystique reigned supreme.
Jennifer McCready, 38 and Karen Boyt-Sorge, 40, have teamed up to create Lady Luck Pin Ups -- transforming women into sexy sirens reminiscent of a bygone era.
It's changing again – our image of beauty. The buxom babe has resurfaced and in a big way! Inspired by old Playboy issues circa 1950 and photographs of Bettie Page, Bridgette Bardot and Marilyn Monroe, pinup girl style is on the rise. TV shows like Mad Men and online fashion stores like Bettie Paige Clothing and www.pinupgirlclothing.com have women everywhere embracing the cheesecake image. Today's pinups like Lana Del Rey, Christina Hendricks and Dita Von Teese embody a womanly, curvy shape, have impeccable make-up and quirky styles. Pinup allows women to be their authentic, sexy selves and that's part of the allure for McCready and Boyt-Sorge.
The dynamic duo live the pinup part. McCready with her red lips and cherrybomb red highlighted hair and Boyt-Sorge with her pink-tinged tresses and Cat Woman eyeliner— are the epitome of tasteful pinup and so they should be when they're encouraging other women to embrace their inner and outer beauty. Pinup photos aim to draw the viewer in as an active participant which encourages that feeling of strength and confidence to be passed along. That's where McCready and Boyt-Sorge come in. McCready's photographic skills and Boyt-Sorge's expertise in make-up and hair artistry turn women into Jane Russell-esque bombshells, who, when they've been pampered and polished for a day, bubble up with renewed self-confidence and self-esteem.
The women met several years ago when they were both employed working behind a chain company's cosmetic counter. Eventually, they became fast friends. On one occasion when McCready, usually the photographer, found herself on the opposite side of the lens modelling for a photoshoot, she found her confidence level soared. She knew then something needed to change and change it did.
“Shooting weddings just wasn't doing it for me and when I felt what it was like to get all dressed up and have the attention on me that I realized this is what I want to do for other women,” McCready said. “I am so excited to be able to help women to feel better about themselves and pinup does that. I have always loved it and it's just the right thing for me to be doing.”
Lady Luck Pin Ups just moved into its new digs in Dunnville. The studio has everything to turn a client into a pinup star – starting with the right props, clothes, mood-setting music from days gone by and a glass of champagne to celebrate the occasion. The transformation begins with hair and makeup. Deanna Spencer-Walker from Revival Salon in Ridgeway is part of Lady Luck's hair team. She, too, embraces the pinup lifestyle.
“It's very much a girls' day and usually our cheeks are hurting from smiling and they've only been here an hour,” Boyt-Sorge said. “Anyone can be a pinup girl. Nothing matters, not age or size. Anyone looks good as a pinup.”
Prior to a photoshoot, the Lady Luck team will have a heart-to-heart with the client to find out what she likes to do, what her hobbies are and they will try to incorporate some of that into the shoot.
“We want women to feel like they're a star for the day and we do everything we can to make that happen,” McCready said, adding that her photographic skills are self-taught. “I wasn't letting anything stop me from doing this and I just go with my heart. Both Karen and I are following our passion with this. We are just so meant to do this.”
Indeed, the team is smack dab in the middle of a modern movement that's not just about making women look pretty. The Lady Luck Pin Ups studio is a place where barriers can be and are broken down – where women can find renewed respect and admiration for each other.
“Women feel good around their friends and when our clients, who become our friends, are with us, they don't have time to think about anything negative. They're too busy having a good time,” McCready added.

Lady Luck Pin Ups offers a number of different photo packages. For more information, drop by the studio at 223 Queen St., Dunnville or call McCready, 905-865-2289 or visit www.lady-luck-pinups.com.

Photo captions:

Lady Luck Pin Ups is helping transform women, such as model Rachel Nadeau, into sexy sirens reminiscent of a bygone era.

The team behind the transformation includes Deanna Spencer-Walker, Karen Boyt-Sorge and Jennifer McCready.

Karen Boyt-Sorge applies makeup to Rachel prior to her photo shoot by Jennifer McCready.

Deanna Spencer-Walker of Revival Salon in Ridgeway is part of Lady Luck's hair team.