I’m a huge fan of the playmate photos in Playboy. I love most of them from the 50s and 60s, many from the 70s and 80s, and just a few of the more recent ones. I love the lighting and attention to detail especially in the later 50s and 60s photos, and they’re often set in really great mid century interiors or beautiful outdoor surroundings. This is my favourite type of pinup photography and I wish more modern pinup photographers recreated this look. I’m also a huge fan of Playboy bunnies, but that’s another story.

I have tons of of playmate photos on my computer so even choosing just my favourites I’ll have to divide this post into three, blondes, brunettes and redheads, inspired by my favourite Playboy book set (yes I have several playboy books, and a dvd of all the 50s issues!), Playboy Beauties.

Some of these pictures were found at one of my favourite tumblrs, Women of Playboy.

My favourite blonde playmate, Lisa Winters.

I’m actually not certain that this photo is from Playboy, but it’s definitely Lisa Winters.

Dinah Willis. These photos are really lovely.

Janet Pilgrim.

Linda Kerridge. She’s super beautiful and has apparently played Marilyn Monroe in several movies.

Gloria Windsor.

Margaret Scott.

Dolores Donlon.

June Cochran.

Allison Parks.

Sally Todd.

Elsa Sørensen.

P.J. Lansing. One of my favourite Playboy photos.