The collection of Ray Leighton;
Private collection, Sydney

After the second world war, Leighton opened his own
photographic studio in Grosvenor Street, specialising in
fashion – especially swimsuits – advertising, and general
commercial photography. His reputation as one of the
top swimsuit photographers began early in his career and
recall the days when not only photographers but models,
too, had to improvise.

Ever a ladies man it would seem, The Sydney Morning
Herald noted in Leighton’s obituary that at his “surprise
75th birthday party he must have been in seventh
heaven: a photograph shows a smiling Ray surrounded
by his guests – no men, but 31 extraordinarily attractive,
beautifully dressed women.”

Image shows Pat Crum, Lillian Galvin, Pam Toyer, Pam
Inch and (Lillian’s sister) Dorothy Galvin on hollow
boards at Manly. This photograph was printed from an
inter-neg in 1998 for Leighton’s agent, Josef Lebovic.