deforest:

On April 16, 1976, photographer George Hurrell sent a letter to his friend and favorite subject, Joan Crawford. Hurrell’s constant collaboration with Joan had produced literally thousands upon thousands of photographs, and their work together eventually came to define Hurrell’s career and legacy almost entirely. Alongside the letter, he included a famous photograph from a 1930 session with Joan. He states of it:

Dear Joan,

I’ve always thought the soulful, tender beauty in the attached print was among our best efforts.

The depth of feeling and emotion you expressed in this pose has a dramatic quality that only a great actress could reveal.

Hurrell closed the letter with “love and kisses.” 

Good grief. It is hard to believe that Joan Crawford could look so natural in, what is ostensibly, a glamor photo.