Entertainment Movies See the Stunning Photos from Marilyn Monroe's Last Shoot before They're Auctioned Hundreds of photos from Marilyn Monroe's last photoshoot with George Barris went up for auction in 2017 — here are some of the best. By Liam Berry Updated on October 24, 2022 12:22 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos 01 of 20 Her Last Shot George Barris When celebrity photographer George Barris went to L.A. to photograph Marilyn Monroe in June 1962, he didn't know that it would be the last time he would see his friend and longtime collaborator —no one did. In 2017, 55 years after Monroe's death on Aug. 5, 1962, Barris' intimate set of photos, many of which have never been seen before, went up for sale via the now-defunct online auction house Paddle8. Barris passed away in 2016 at the age of 94. 02 of 20 Rewriting Her Story George Barris Over the course of six weeks, Monroe worked with Barris to take photos for a new book in which she hoped to rewrite her story. She desperately wanted to reclaim what she saw as the inaccurate narrative of a troubled, erratic star that led to her firing from the film Something's Got to Give shortly before the photo shoots. 03 of 20 Birthday Girl George Barris Barris arrived in L.A just in time for Monroe's 36th birthday on June 1. 04 of 20 Impossible to Forget George Barris Barris' photo shoot took place over the course of a few sessions during June and July. In August of that year, Monroe suffered a lethal drug overdose. 05 of 20 Home Away from Home George Barris At the time of the shoot, Monroe had just moved into her first home in L.A. but the furniture had not yet arrived. Barris arranged for the interior shots like this one, to be taken in the house of a real estate mogul named Tim Leimert. 06 of 20 Ready for Her Close-Up George Barris Monroe's close relationship with Barris led to intimate shots, like this one of the Gentlemen Prefer Blondes star adjusting her makeup in the mirror. 07 of 20 Always Ready George Barris And this one. 08 of 20 Beach Babe George Barris The last location of the shoot was the beach session, which produced incredible color photos in addition to the black and white portraits. 09 of 20 Marilyn and Her Team George Barris For what was suppposed to be her comeback shoot, Monroe brought in her most trusted stylists, Agnes Flanagan (left) and Whitey Snyder (right). 10 of 20 No Expense Spared George Barris All of the clothes for the shoot were purchased by Barris from Monroe's favorite stores, like Jack's and Saks Fifth Avenue. 11 of 20 Timeless Beauty George Barris Although Monroe was only 36, she was considered old for actresses of the day and was beginning to become eclipsed by younger stars. 12 of 20 Well-Documented Woman George Barris Barris had previously released some of the photographs to be used in Gloria Steinem's biography of Monroe, but sold the rest to a collector in the '80s. 13 of 20 Back in Action George Barris The photos, other art and memorabilia are available on Paddle8. 14 of 20 From Every Angle George Barris George Barris' signature sits at the bottom of each photo of the collection. 15 of 20 Having a Blast George Barris Monroe and Barris' close working relationship led to incredible shots like this one. 16 of 20 The Beauty of a Generation George Barris Monroe's status as a style icon would only elevate after her death. 17 of 20 Lounging Around George Barris The photographs captured a version of Monroe that seemed totally at ease with her surroundings. 18 of 20 Making Waves George Barris The playful side of Monroe wasn't lost in her final shoot. 19 of 20 Star Power George Barris Whether in black or white or full color, Monroe's beauty was radiant. 20 of 20 Letting Her Guard Down George Barris With her most trusted collaborators around her, Monroe appeared unguarded in her final shoot.