Miss Corsair Debonair

Miss Corsair Debonair is the creative force behind The Fire Inside Studio, a photography studio specializing in pinup and vintage boudoir styling. She’s a pinup who’s won numerous titles, including Jack Daniels Miss Pinup NZ and Miss Picture Perfect 2019. A fan of film photography, Miss Debonair contributes to pinup and alternative art magazines.

What inspired you to be a photographer?

I’m not sure really, I’ve always loved it. I think I had my first film camera in my early teens, back when it used to cost a small fortune to buy film and have it developed. I did it through high school and learned all the darkroom processes. I gave it up a bit in the early 2000s and only picked it up again during our first COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Because all I’d done previously had been in film and darkroom, I had to learn Photoshop and Lightroom from scratch.

What got you into pin-up photography?

I love the art of the tease. Pin-up and burlesque absolutely have my heart. But I also see so many women who aren’t comfortable with themselves and really need that boost to see themselves in a different light.

What direction do you give to your models and how much?

It depends on the experience or natural talent of the model. Some women are just born to be models, while the rest is taught. My key tips are always: if it can bend, then bend it; and never leave feet or legs in parallel.

Do you have people sending messages complaining about your photos being sexist and all that jazz, and what do you tell them?

I never have, and I’d be sure to tell them where to shove it in no uncertain terms. It’s a reality that pin-up images have always been used for titillation, but I also see them as a fabulous way to capture the grace, beauty, and power of the female form.

I see you are a filmmaker too. Who are your favorite filmmakers?

Despite actually having a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Film, I only make occasional Instagram Reels, so I definitely don’t consider myself a filmmaker. It’s been hard trying to keep up with the young kids and learning all of that too! I think Taika Waititi is a master, and of course, he’s a fellow Kiwi. And I know it’s probably a travesty to consider a television series in a discussion on filmmaking, but I adore Dexter, so Clyde Phillips gets an honourable mention.

What other forms of art are you involved in?

Writing—I work in public relations in my “regular job.” I would love to start burlesque dancing, but I live in a rural area quite far from a small country town, so I haven’t had the chance yet.

What advice can you give to new photographers?

It can take a while to pin down your style. See who inspires you and figure out what it is that you like so much about their images. Try lots of different things when editing, but always keep notes of what you’ve done so you can repeat what you liked. Don’t take every piece of advice: art is subjective. There will be photographers who’ll say, “you should have done this or that,” but really, I’ll only take that advice if it applies to technical information rather than the art itself. It’s you who is telling the story. Not everyone is going to like what you like.

What do you think pop culture will be like in ten years?

I honestly don’t know, but I hope we’re gentler on each other, the Earth, and animals.

What was the oddest thing you’ve ever been asked to do in your career as a photographer or pin-up model?

I haven’t been doing either for long enough to be asked to do anything crazy. Walking in Christian Louboutin Hot Chick shoes with a 10cm heel was probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done!

What projects are you working on now?

I’ve supplied photos to James Baldwin, the aviation artist, so he can produce pin-up nose art illustrations, and I’m excitedly waiting to see those.

Check her out on Instagram @miss_corsair_debonair.