Photos of Marilyn Monroe's first photoshoot in 1946 when she was 19

At that time, Norma Jeane Dougherty was then a total unknown, working in the Radioplane Munitions Factory, mainly spraying airplane parts with fire retardant and inspecting parachutes.

During that time, Army photographer David Conover noticed her and snapped a photograph of her for a Yank magazine article.

He encouraged her to apply to The Blue Book Modeling Agency. She signed with the agency and began researching the work of Jean Harlow and Lana Turner. She was told that they were looking for models with lighter hair, so Norma Jeane bleached her brunette hair to a golden blonde.

She became one of Blue Book's most successful models; she appeared on dozens of magazine covers.

She'd married her first husband James Dougherty in June 1942. As a result of her modeling career, he began to lose interest in her and stated that he did not approve of her new job. Monroe then decided to divorce Dougherty. The marriage ended when he returned from overseas in 1946.

The following are photos from her very first Blue Book photoshoot.