One of the most enjoyable and enduring aspects of the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekends, and indeed many burlesque events, is the array of beautiful photographs that are shared around the world. They can make you feel like you were there, capture affection, innovation, inspiration and celebration, and preserve magical memories for many years to come. The photographers who work at BHoF each year are much loved members of the community, and I asked some of them to share their memories, and some of their favourite shots from over the years. I am so grateful to them for their generosity and enthusiasm.
Here are some beautiful photos from head BHoF photographer, the much loved Don Spiro…
“There are so many photos I’ve taken over the past decade that it was hard to narrow down. I have tried to show photos that are representative of the aspect of the Pageant and the museum that are most important to me, the shots off the stage that most people don’t see, the shots that show the history and the community and why I keep shooting.
The reason I keep shooting at BHoF and some other events is to document what I feel is a great American folk art; it’s a traditional art form that is only recently being treated scholarly by mainstream academia. I became involved because I shoot photos of my friends, and many are into different subcultures. When I started there were very few people trying to preserve it and it seemed like a localised genre, now it is everywhere. I’ve been part of the current community, I’ve become part of what I’m documenting, but my goal is still preservation for future generations. There are many people now keeping burlesque alive: my plan is to watch and see where they take it, see how it changes and survives, how it inspires other performance and influences other arts and culture. I shoot to tell the story of burlesque…”
