Laurence Le Guay (Australian, 1917-1990)
This collection appears to be the largest surviving group of Le Guay’s fashion photographs. These photographs cover a range of Australian fashion from swimwear to evening wear, available at stores during the 1950s and 1960s.

Awarded the Commonwealth Medal for his contributions towards photography in 1963, prominent Australian photographer Le Guay commenced his career during the 1930s, with surrealist photography. He became a member of the prestigious Sydney Camera Circle and the Contemporary Camera Groupe. During WWII he was a war photographer for the RAAF.

After opening his studio in George Street, Sydney he became a partner with John Nesbett in 1947 and began to focus on fashion photography and other advertising work until the closure of the studio during the early 1970s.

Up to this time Le Guay was Sydney’s leading fashion photographer. He then concentrated on publishing books on his photography, editing photographic books and magazines, and giving lectures. (Ref: Newton, Shades of Light, 1998)