In the beginning when I first started assisting Helmut in 1979, Helmut asked if I would like to assisting June (Alice Springs). Like an idiot I said no, and this was one of my big regrets in life. It was not until later that I discovered what a talented portraitist June was. Through the years, traveling with Helmut and June I got to know June and witnessed what a witty, partner in crime, editor, critique, and greatest loves I had witnessed between a couple. After Helmut’s death our relationship grew stronger; our get togethers at the Château Marmont and June offering an exhibition at the Helmut Newton Foundation along with my good friends George Holz and Just Loomis; The Three Boys from Pasadena, 2009. One of those evenings at the Chateau, I showed June my first image of a new series, “Torso”. She loved it (which was not always the case when showing June pictures to critique). One positive push from June was enough to confirm I was on to something. The “Torso” was a big part of the second exhibition at the Helmut Newton Foundation in 2019. My photography and life was strongly influenced by this amazing power couple, Helmut & Junie, and I’m a better person for it.
Mark Arbeit
