McCartney Times

The loving couple of Paul and Linda McCartney were an artistic pair who seemed to only encourage one another. Their love and creativity seems to know no bounds and has often been the dreamy pinnacle of celebrity coupledom. These images from Linda of Paul during lates ’60s and early ’70s show a couple in love as well as Paul’s adaptation of Linda’s passion.

Before meeting Paul, Linda Louise Eastman was an American photographer, later showing her value and power as a musician and animal rights activist, she gained notoriety as a photographer to the rock and roll elite. Eastman met The Beatle during a photo shoot in 1967 where they instantly connected and were married in ’69.

In a 1994 interview with the BBC, Linda opened up about her role as a photographer, how she got her break and the subjects she had to work with.

Having been taught by her mentor Hazel Archer in Tuscon, Arizona Linda Eastman got her break when she jumped at the chance to photograph The Rolling Stones. She said: “When the Rolling Stones were trying to get publicity for themselves, when they were touring over here, they sent Town & Country an invitation which I opened and put in my drawer and thought, “Well, I’ll go to that one!” Someone came up to me and said “Well, we just don’t have room for all the photographers and all the journalists so you will be the photographer.” I thought “Oh my god, I’m not really a photographer, does she know?” But I bluffed my way, I mean I didn’t bluff it, I figured it’s her choice.”

“So, I got on the boat and had a lot of film with me and really enjoyed taking pictures. I think my only worry was that the pictures wouldn’t turn out, in truth… I was a bit shy and introverted, but looking out through the lens I saw, and I forgot myself and I could actually see life. This enthusiasm came out of me, and it did, photography changed my life in that way, so it wasn’t just the Rolling Stones, it was the whole thing.”

But while she would go on to find some of the most famous and influential rock and roll icons of the world, her favourite muse was always her family. Photography soon became a passion rather than a profession and when The Beatles finally found their end, Paul took up the passion alongside his wife.

Seemingly never without their cameras, this selection of photographs offer a beautifully candid view of not only Paul, their daughter Mary, and the McCartney family, but of Linda and Paul’s relationship. It was one that was seemingly built on empowerment.

Whether encouraging Paul to go solo from The Beatles or Linda finding her feet as an animal rights activist, the two are still rightly heralded as one of the positive celebrity couples. Linda sadly passed away in 1995 after losing her battle against breast cancer, a moment in time which rocked Paul and their family. Her work as an activist continues to embolden her legacy.

Find below a candid selection of interesting portraits of Paul McCartney were taken by his wife, circa 1968 to 1970.

Source: Images of Paul McCartney taken by his wife Linda McCartney