Actress Joyce Reynolds holding shutter release to take her own photograph.
Makeup artist Perc Westmore posing as he takes his own photograph.
Makeup artist Perc Westmore posing as he takes his own photograph.

Anna Randal for Art-Sheep

Even though selfies date back to 1839, Gjon Mili and his “models” are definite participants in the evolution of an art form. In 1944 the famous photographer invited various celebrities to take their portraits, only they would be the ones to capture the photos with the help of a remote-controlled shutter release.

And even though these photos have nothing to do with your regular Instagram selfies, celebrities have been the ones in charge of their poses and shots long before iPhones and selfie-sticks. Famous actors and actresses of the 40s took some really awkward poses, revealing their innocent and fun sides and proving that even though technology has progressed, human behavior and expressions have remained almost the same.

Actress Geraldine Fitzgerald holding shutter release as she takes her own photograph.
Actress Geraldine Fitzgerald holding shutter release as she takes her own photograph.
Actor Van Johnson holding shutter release as he takes his own photograph.
Actor Van Johnson holding shutter release as he takes his own photograph.
Actor John Garfield posing as he takes his own photograph.  (Photo by Gjon Mili/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)
Actor John Garfield posing as he takes his own photograph. (Photo by Gjon Mili/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)
Actress Joyce Reynolds holding shutter release to take her own photograph.
Actress Joyce Reynolds holding shutter release to take her own photograph.
Actor Robert Alda posing as he takes his own photograph.
Actor Robert Alda posing as he takes his own photograph.
Actor S. Z. Sakall "Cuddles" holding shutter release as he takes his own photograph.
Actor S. Z. Sakall “Cuddles” holding shutter release as he takes his own photograph.
Actress Larraine Day holding shutter release as she takes her own photograph.
Actress Larraine Day holding shutter release as she takes her own photograph.
Singer/actor Lauritz Melchior holding shutter release as he takes his own photograph.
Singer/actor Lauritz Melchior holding shutter release as he takes his own photograph.
Director Michael Curtiz holding shutter release as he takes his own photograph.
Director Michael Curtiz holding shutter release as he takes his own photograph.