And The Award Goes To....

Christi Williams of Grinkie Girls Photography. Congratulations to our very own Christi Williams for winning the "Best Catch Phrase" award from the Twin Cities Wedding Professionals.

Originally introduced by Flip Script Films in the Grinkie Girl commercial, and sung by Jillian Rae of the Music Lab, Christi came up with the phrase as she was falling asleep one night.

Developed from true love of the art, Christi is quickly becoming one of the Twin Cities top pin-up photographers. She works hard to get people looking and feeling their best, turning everyday beautiful women into sassy pin-up girls. She has also begun working with other industry professionals. B-movie director Christpher Mihm came into the studio, along with his monsters for a shoot.

You can see her work all over the Twin Cities at places like Glam Doll Donuts, Sister Sludge Coffee Shop, and in Minnesota's Premier Pin-Up Magazine, MnUps This award is only the beginning of proving to the Twin Cities that Grinkie Girls Have More Fun.

"Petty Girl" to Grinkie Girl.... A brief history of the pinup....

 by Michael Potter

Back in the 1930s there was a man named George Petty, and he decided that beautiful women are something that the world needed to see. Mr. Petty began creating art pieces that we know now as a 'pinup'. These lovely ladies became know as "Petty Girls" and were featured in major advertisements, calendars, and the cover image of Esquire No. 1.

A Jantzen Bathing Suit Ad featuring a Petty Girl

Another famous name to come out of the 1930s is Gil Elvgren. Born in Minnesota, he went on to study at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Some consider Elvgren to be one of, if not the most influential pinup artist of the 20th century. After his studies in Minneapolis, Elvgren moved to Chicago to work with Stevens and Gross, Chicago's most prestigious advertising agency. Elvgren worked with companies ranging from Coca-Cola to General Electric over a 40-year career.

A Gil Elvgren Original

In the 1950s, pinup models became household names and feature actresses in Hollywood. Women like Marilyn Monroe and Betty Page took America and pop culture by storm.

During World War II, the pinup could be seen painted on the nose of military airplanes, the most famous being the Memphis Belle.

The art of the pinup never really ended, but in the 1960s went into a recession. However, some notable ladies, namely Raquel Welch, kept the pinup culture alive.

Fast forward to today. The culture of the pinup is not only alive but making a full resurgence into pop culture. You can find the classic images of Bettie Page and Marilyn Monroe on everything from tee-shirts to tattoos. Children and adults alike are falling in love with the pinup all over again.

Christi Williams and the Grinkie Girls are doing their best to bring the pinup culture to Minneapolis, turning everyday women into sassy pinups. Having fun is a safe, easy-going, loving atmosphere are the most important aspects of a photo shoot with the Grinkie Girls. The fantastic pictures are a byproduct of the lively environment.

Teaming up with the Grinkie Girls is Dawnfelice Warneke. She and the team at MN-Ups Magazine, out of a true passion for the lifestyle, worked hard to put together Minnesota's Premier Pin-Up Magazine, reintroducing Minnesota to the pinup culture and having fun along the way. 

Voting Open in the First Miss Vine Park Spokesmodel Contest

Ladies and gentlemen, drum roll please…

Our twelve pack of finalists have been chosen from over 40 entries in our initial contest.

VOTE ! Vine Park Brewing Company Spokesmodel Contest

Thank you so much for the enthusiastic response.  Remember, these are NOT the photos that will be used for our advertisements, but that a professional photo shoot with the always fantastic Christi Williams at Grinkie Girls Photography is part of the prize package.

You can only vote once, so if you want to win, share with your friends, on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog, and get the vote out. Official rules for the contest are here.

We've Reached Our 100th Grinkie Girl!!

We knew we were poised to reach this historic milestone at our November 17th mini session - but we could not have even imagined what a special event it was going to be.

So who is our 100th Grinkie Girl?

Autumn Koch of Saint Paul, Minnesota has wanted to have a pin up session for quite a while now. She scheduled to come to the 11/17 mini-shoot with her friend Amber Eisen-Ramgren. Amber is a personal friend of this Girl Friday - and she's been itching to experience being a Grinkie Girl from the first time she saw one of my pin-ups.

What makes this milestone so wonderful and enriching is Autumn herself.

Model: Autumn Koch   Photo: Christi Williams   Hair:Avis    Makeup: Dawnfelice

Autumn is a stage 4 breast cancer survivor.

"I'm not a survivor, I'm a thriver" - Autumn Koch

I will admit that I am getting a little verklempt here, because Autumn inspires me. I have long been one to promote the idea of being a "survivor, not a victim" in life. But Autumn takes that even further. She told me - as she was enjoying hair and makeup - that she is "not a survivor, but a thriver".

Autumn shared her story with me during her beauty session. She was diagnosed two years ago with stage 3 breast cancer while nursing her second child, a six month old daughter.  This woman fought the cancer with fierceness, and endured a double mastectomy and the removal of 16 lymph nodes. A year later, the cancer was back, in her brain. Not one to give up - she fought again, and is currently in remission.

Autumn is a terrific Grinkie Girl. She made the photo shoot look easy, as she is a natural in front of the camera. Avis knocked this hairstyle out of the park - giving her a classy and sassy pin curl look.

Model: Autumn Koch  Photo: Christi Williams   Hair: Avis  Makeup: Dawnfelice

 Considering that Autumn has had a double mastectomy with no reconstruction (she was SO amazing in the frank way she shared her life with me - and in turn - gave me permission to share it with you) so we pulled a few outfits that we thought would show off her wonderful figure while being comfortable for her to wear with her custom undergarments.

Model: Autumn Koch  Photo: Christi Williams   Hair: Avis  Makeup: Dawnfelice

As you can see - she rocked the photo shoot - twirling in a Marilyn inspired satin halter gown and high heels.

Welcome to being a Bona Fide Grinkie Girl, Autumn!! You inspire us!!

November 17th Mini Sessions

We still have spots available at our new and exciting mini-session experiment! I'm blocking of most of Saturday, November 17th as "Whatever you need a picture of" mini -sessions.

Pin up? Family picture? Business head shot? Kids? Whatever you need.

I am charging $50 for a half hour spot and one digital portrait of your choice. You may book more than one slot if you think you'd like more time, or order more images if you are digging them. $25/each extra digital image. Prints and other products available for order.

Hair and Make up services will be available if you let me know ahead of time. 

 $65/Hair, $30/Makeup

E-mail me @ christi@grinkie.com and send a $25 deposit to save your spot.

Due to the mini-sessions open house feel it is not a good match for boudoir shoots, so talk to me about that if that is what you need.

*Model: Rohanna Jones, Hair & Makeup - Rohanna Jones