This post is for one of our regular Dear Readers, Jimmy....
Debra Jo Fondren had left Beaumont, Texas, to visit Vegas, when she was spotted by a photographer. The photographer, Bob Hooper, was in the casino on his lunch break.
Debra Jo Fondren had left Beaumont, Texas, to visit Vegas, when she was spotted by a photographer. The photographer, Bob Hooper, was in the casino on his lunch break.
Bob was no stranger to photographing beautiful women; he'd first started with the midwest farmer's daughters back in Des Moines, and now in Vegas, had photographed showgirls, singers, cocktail waitresses, and other lovelies for the local papers, magazines, billboards and travel advertisements. But when he spotted the 5'4" Debra Jo with her flowing 52" golden locks, he knew he'd found someone special.
He'd been working his way toward a life dream of shooting for Playboy. Already he'd assisted a Playboy photographer, and had a couple of photo sereis, including the 10-page "Sex Education and the Automobile," which ran in May 1973. He had never, however, shot the penultimate Playboy assignment, a "centerfold."
The chance lunch meeting must have been fate.
Bob photographed Debra Jo at the nearby Hines Ranch in Las Vegas and the Desert Oasis, a warm springs in Moapa Valley, 68 miles north of Las Vegas. However, for the "centerfold" shot, he needed to use the highest resolution camera possible, a traditional 8x10. For this, he'd have to transform his own backyard to resemble the Desert Oasis. With reflectors and scrims, painted backgrounds and planted foliage, the scene was made to simulate Desert Oasis. As a final touch, he draped a 11' cloth to create a little privacy from the neighbors.
The photos of Debra Jo appeared in the September issue as the Centerfold. She was so popular, that she became the "Playmate of the Year" in '78.
Debra Jo went on to several guest star roles on popular TV shows such as Mork and Mindy, Fantasy Island, and Knots Landing.
Bob is still in Vegas, still photographing. In fact, he offers his centerfold talents for hire in what he calls provocative portraits. Hummm.... I just might take him up on it.
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| Debra Jo in the backyard of Robert Hooper |
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