André de Dienes, Marilyn

Before there was Marilyn, there was Norma Jeane

The photos and secret memoirs of Marilyn Monroe's first photographer and lifelong friend

Fashion photographer Andre de Dienes's life was changed forever one day in 1945 when he met a lovely young aspiring model named Norma Jeane Dougherty. He instantly fell in love with her innocence and charm and the two were briefly engaged. They took many adventurous road trips together in those early years, de Dienes shooting Norma Jeane in every possible natural setting in his original, inspired style. He soon built up a huge portfolio of stunning photographs of the smiling brunette which helped to launch her model career and, a few years later, a film career that was to make her a legend.