It Seems Like Yesterday

Over the years I have often photographed the beautiful and talented Brooke Shields, and who I am happy to say, has always kept her feet on the ground throughout her astonishing career. 

My photograph of Brooke lying languidly on a boat deck near Palm Beach was taken in 1989. I was always glad to see her mother, Teri, at all the photo shoots as she was a welcome addition to the set. Brooke’s film, Brenda Starr, had been released to good reviews when this photograph was taken.  I like this picture as it is natural and was taken without stylists or makeup artists hovering over her.  It’s my welcome to the approaching spring!

The first time I photographed Brooke, she was about to turn 13 years old. The photograph was for the May 29, 1978 cover of People magazine as the film Pretty Baby, directed by the acclaimed Louis Malle, had just been released. The film in which Brooke plays a very young prostitute living in New Orleans was causing a sensation, especially in the Bible belt. 

Her mother, Teri, was there in the studio, of course, along with my wife, Gigi, who was pregnant at the time. Brooke was such a lovely youngster. She asked if she could babysit when our daughter was born. Little did she know her career was about to skyrocket, and she would have little time to babysit. 

Now Brooke has her own family. I read that her daughter was off to college last year. It’s hard to believe how quickly time has flown by. Wonder if you feel that way, too. 

Brooke Shields in Palm Beach in June 1989, photographed
by Harry Benson.