David Yarrow Telluride Photography

Photograph by David Yarrow “Telluride”. Limited edition

Norman Parkinson’s photographs of his soon-to-be wife at an airfield in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1951 have stood the test of time and are undoubtedly part of the history of fashion photography. He was one of the most original storytellers of his profession.

We brought this 1943 airplane to Telluride, Colorado, to tell new stories, and like Parkinson some 70 years ago, I wanted to play with the alchemy of metallic beauty and feminine beauty.

The plane, which took part in D Day in 1944 before being converted to a DC3, looked impressive at 9,000 feet and the cold winter light really brought out its beauty. The pilot positioned the plane at an angle to give me an accurate orientation of the site. There are few airfields in the world as breathtaking as Telluride, which of course was the reason we were there. There is a grandeur to the San Juan Mountains that has long fascinated me.

Glamor came late to Telluride: it wasn’t developed as a ski resort until the 1970s, and even then it prided itself on being Colorado’s best-kept secret. But a hipster counterculture took hold and Telluride transformed from a tough mining town into a resort town whose very name conjured up images of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. It was quite a transition and Telluride became fashionable for Angelenos. The bond is now solidified and the town’s annual film festival highlights Hollywood’s 50-year love affair with the community.

Josie Canseco, my model for this cold morning, was tailor-made for the role of bohemian Telluride party girl. I’m not sure what’s in her suitcase, but I’m sure she was ready for some fun in the mountains.

David Yarrow