The Cigar Series by Stephen Wayda

[Stephen Wayda’s] influence on photography cannot be overstated.

His evolving styles, his sense of sexuality coupled with the personality of his photographic subjects delivered on the Playboy dream, from the fantasy of decadence and passion in Paris to the charm of the girl next door in the wheat fields of Texas.

With a commitment to visual innovation and an artistic sense of sexuality, his contribution to photography will live on for generations to come.

— Hugh Hefner, Playboy founder and publisher

Stephen Wayda is one of the world’s most celebrated photographers, with an ever-evolving Rolodex of photographs of the who’s-who of the world, from A-list celebrities to pop culture icons, supermodels, musicians, and the “girls next door.” Wayda quickly gained his reputation due to his style: he emphasized the attitude and personality of each subject above all else.

At Playboy — where he photographed the most celebrities, covers, women, and pictorials in the magazine’s history — Wayda gained renown for his use of light and composition to capture the intimacy and openness of his subjects, bringing out moments of deep humanity.

Wayda has photographed on four continents, from the African plains to Tengboche Monastery at the base of Mt Everest, from the islands in the Pacific and the Caribbean to the cosmopolitan cities of Europe, and from the heartland of America to the cities and jungles of Asia.

After establishing himself as a top-tier photographer at Playboy, Wayda was approached by the editor of Cigar Magazine to do cover shoots. Dedicated to his craft, Wayda didn’t pay himself from his production budget, which allowed him greater freedom and additional staff to help him get the perfect shot.

Whether it be in a playful and expressive shoot with the likes of Linda Evangelista or a cut-to-the-chase session with the impatient but ever-impeccable Jack Nicholson, Wayda approached every shoot as a collaboration and a chance to let his subjects communicate with the viewer.

The Drop

Each of the 1-of-1 auctioned NFTs will be accompanied by a signed and dated museum-quality archival print, 28×28 inch or 20×28-inch, depending on cropping. The print for each NFT be shipped in a tube, along with a signed, dated, and titled Certificate of Authenticity