This article highlights a series of rare vintage photographs taken in 1947 showing Norma Jeane Dougherty, who would later become internationally known as Marilyn Monroe, during a relaxed day at the beach with her dog, a Cocker Spaniel named Ruffles.

The images were captured by photographer Joseph Jasgur, who played a key role in Monroe’s early career by taking some of her first professional test shots in 1946 and continuing to document her emerging presence in 1947.At this time, Monroe was still building her identity in the entertainment industry, long before achieving global fame as a Hollywood icon.

The beach session is particularly valued because it presents a candid, natural side of Monroe, contrasting with the highly stylized image she would later become famous for.

The photographs show her enjoying a quiet moment with her pet, reflecting her reported lifelong affection for animals and the comfort they provided during the pressures of her developing career.Ruffles, her early companion, appears frequently in these informal sessions, symbolizing a more private chapter of her life.

There is also historical discussion regarding the exact location of the shoot, with some sources identifying Zuma Beach in Malibu, while others suggest it may have been taken along Malibu Road, with the Malibu Colony visible in the background.

Beyond their aesthetic value, the photographs are also tied to legal and archival disputes involving Jasgur’s negatives, which were later auctioned after his death in 2009.

Today, the images are seen as an important visual record of Monroe’s early life before fame transformed her into one of the most recognizable figures in film history.