When Aventura photographer Grant Goldstein met his girlfriend, Jenna Smith, his love for shooting images took an interesting turn.

He went from working on commercial photography for architects and designers to shooting red-lipped and sultry pin-up imagery.

``Originally I didn't shoot pin-ups,'' said Goldstein, an Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale graduate. ``Once I met Jenna she gave me that extra push to start shooting them.''

Goldstein met Smith, a statuesque blonde beauty with Marilyn Monroe looks, when he was contacted by a client to shoot a photo of her clad in her 1950s getup for a pin-up theme party.

What started as friendship developed into a love affair -- and their common love of everything vintage, rockabilly and colorful led to the creation of Cupcake Pinups, a company that provides pin-up makeovers and photo shoots.

Smith styles the clients. Goldstein shoots their portraits.

``We appreciate the classic style and ability to be sexy without being trashy,'' he said.

Smith said her love for glamour is what has led her to style herself and others in pin-up gear.

``It's truly my passion,'' she said. ``I'm glad I met someone who can share that with me.''

Would-be models can bring their own outfits and ideas for the shoot -- although Smith has an extensive wardrobe of retro-inspired frocks, bathing suits and vintage lingerie. (Shoots are strictly PG-rated; no nudity allowed.)

The duo shoots at their Fort Lauderdale studio and at locations throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.

Costs range between $300 to $600, depending on how elaborate the shoot.

Smith said the genre embraces female figures reminiscent of Monroe that have perhaps fallen out of fashion.

That's a great thing about the pin-up world compared to other genres such as fashion. You can be petite, plus-sized, thin or curvy. It takes all kinds to be a pin-up girl.''

The images are often given to boyfriends and husbands as a gift, Goldstein said. Ladies get a CD with the images, with some of the photographer's favorites retouched and edited professionally.

For Cupcake Pinups model Mayelin Lara, a Miami Lakes resident also known as Ms. Maye, the experience was something she would recommend to even the shyest of gals.

``He's really patient and kind,'' Lara said. ``Him and Jenna collaborate really well.''

Lara said props such as vintage cars and helpful modeling tips help novice pin-ups get the perfect shot.

``They give you great ideas and tips,'' Lara said. ``His taste is very classic and Hollywood.''

Aniela McGuiness, 26, a Hollywood resident, accessorized a slinky black dress with elbow-length white gloves and a white orchid tucked pinned in her hair at a recent shoot.

``I think every woman should do a pin-up shoot at least once in their lives,'' McGuiness said. ``It helps you feel glamorous and super sexy like nothing else can.''

Jessica McCoury, 25, a Cupcake Pinups hair and makeup artist from West Palm Beach, said the shoot will make even a girl-next-door type feel like a super model.

``I jumped on board to glam up young ladies, and turn them into pin-up vixens,'' McCoury said. ``They are just good people that are attentive to detail and take gorgeous photos.''

For those nervous about posing in front of the camera, Goldstein says it's all about the right attitude -- no matter what the model's dress size.

Some of his professional work has appeared in magazines such as Pin Up Perfection and Deluxe Magazine, which celebrate the art of the pin-up.

``It's all about the wardrobe, hair and makeup,'' said Goldstein, who names Gil Elvgren and Olivia De Berardinis as some of his favorite pin-ups from the 1950s era.

``You don't have to be a six-foot-tall, skinny blonde model to be a pin-up. Anyone can be a pin-up girl.''

For information on Cupcake Pinups e-mail ccpinups@yahoo.com or visit www.myspace.com/cupcakepinups.

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