When Taylor Swift announced 1989 (Taylor’s Version) on that final night in Los Angeles, the scream from the crowd wasn't just about the music. It was about the aesthetic. The screen flashed with the new album cover, and suddenly, the "1989 Taylor's Version photoshoot" became the only thing anyone in the fandom could talk about. Gone was the polaroid-style, lip-cut-off mystery of the 2014 original. In its place stood a Taylor who looked, well, happy. Genuinely happy.
It’s weird to think about how much a single photo session can shift the narrative of a billion-dollar career.
The original 1989 era was defined by a specific kind of "squad" culture and a very polished, almost untouchable New York City vibe. But the 1989 Taylor's Version photoshoot, captured by photographer Beth Garrabrant, traded that high-fashion artifice for something that felt like a breezy afternoon at the beach. Specifically, a beach in Cape May, New Jersey.
The Beth Garrabrant connection and that "beachy" shift
If you've followed Taylor’s career since the "re-recording" project began, you know Beth Garrabrant is basically the architect of Taylor’s modern visual identity. She did the folklore and evermore shoots. She did Midnights. There’s a specific graininess and intimacy to her work that makes the 1989 Taylor's Version photoshoot feel less like a corporate marketing campaign and more like a friend taking photos of you on a Nikon FM2.
It’s honestly kind of a vibe shift.
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Instead of the 1950s-glamour-meets-80s-pop-star look of the original, the re-record visuals leaned heavily into the "seagull" motif. You remember the original 1989 sweatshirt? The one with the birds? That's the DNA here. But it's expanded. In the 1989 Taylor's Version photoshoot, we see Taylor in striped sweaters, denim shorts, and yellow sundresses. It’s less "Model off-duty in Manhattan" and more "Girl who grew up on the Reading, Pennsylvania Christmas tree farm finally finding her peace by the ocean."
Breaking down the different covers
One of the coolest things about the 1989 Taylor's Version photoshoot was how it was split across four different physical editions. Most fans don't realize how much work goes into making sure each "version" feels like a distinct chapter of the same story.
Take the "Crystal Skies Blue" edition. It’s the standard one. Taylor is smiling, hair windblown, against a bright blue sky with seagulls flying behind her. It’s a direct contrast to the 2014 cover where she wasn't even looking at the camera. The message is pretty loud: she’s looking at us now. She’s claiming the work.
Then you have the "Sunrise Boulevard" yellow version. This one is arguably the favorite among collectors. The lighting is golden hour perfection. It feels warm. It feels like the specific moment in August when the sun starts to set a little earlier and you realize summer is ending, but you aren't sad about it yet. Then there’s the "Aquamarine Green" and "Rose Garden Pink" versions. Each one pulls from the same 1989 Taylor's Version photoshoot sessions but highlights a different mood. The pink version, in particular, feels like a nod to the "Blank Space" energy—a little more playful, a little more "garden party" chic.
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Why the lack of red lipstick matters
Did you notice?
In the main 1989 Taylor's Version photoshoot, the iconic red lip—which was the literal uniform of the 2014 era—is largely absent or softened. This was a massive point of discussion on Reddit and TikTok. Why get rid of the signature?
The consensus among people who analyze this stuff way too much (guilty as charged) is that it represents a lack of performance. In 2014, the red lip was armor. It was part of the "Pop Star Taylor" costume. In the 1989 Taylor's Version photoshoot, her makeup is minimal. Her hair is naturally curly—a subtle nod to her debut roots. It’s a "Taylor’s Version" in the truest sense; she’s not recreating the past, she’s reclaiming it as her current self.
The location: Why Cape May?
Rumors swirled for a while about where the 1989 Taylor's Version photoshoot actually took place. While Taylor's team is usually tight-lipped to prevent fans from swarming locations, the visual evidence pointed directly to the Jersey Shore.
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Cape May provides a very specific kind of nostalgia. It’s not the flashy, Hamptons-style beach. It’s older. It’s got those Victorian houses and a rugged coastline. Using this backdrop for the 1989 Taylor's Version photoshoot was a stroke of genius because it mirrors the "Vault" tracks. Songs like "Slut!" or "Is It Over Now?" are more atmospheric and moody than the radio hits like "Shake It Off." The photos match that "Vault" energy perfectly. They aren't just bright pop; they’re slightly salted by the sea air.
What we can learn from the 1989 Taylor's Version photoshoot
If you're a creator, or just someone interested in branding, there is a lot to learn from how this was handled.
First, consistency is key but evolution is mandatory. If Taylor had just recreated the original polaroids exactly, it would have felt like a parody. Instead, the 1989 Taylor's Version photoshoot took the spirit of the original—freedom, independence, youth—and updated it for a woman in her 30s.
Second, the power of "The Gaze." These photos feel like they were taken by someone who likes the subject, not someone who wants to sell the subject. That’s the Beth Garrabrant magic.
To really appreciate the depth of the 1989 Taylor's Version photoshoot, you have to look at the lyric booklets in the CDs and vinyls. There are shots of Taylor leaning against old wooden fences, walking through beach grass, and sitting on the sand. It’s a cohesive visual narrative about finding your way back to yourself.
Actionable steps for fans and collectors
- Check the back covers: The 1989 Taylor's Version photoshoot isn't just about the front. The back covers of the vinyl editions feature some of the best wide-angle shots of the coastline that didn't make the primary marketing.
- Look for the easter eggs: Taylor is famous for them. In some of the photoshoot outtakes, her jewelry and the specific styling of her hair often hint at upcoming projects or "Eras" she’s currently thinking about.
- Compare the lighting: If you’re a photography nerd, look at the difference in post-processing between the Fearless (TV) photos and the 1989 Taylor's Version photoshoot. The 1989 shots have a much higher "blue" saturation to mimic the coastal vibe.
The 1989 Taylor's Version photoshoot proved that you don't need a high-concept, avant-garde set to make a statement. Sometimes, all you need is a clear sky, a vintage camera, and the feeling of being finally, truly free. It’s an aesthetic that defined a whole year of pop culture, and honestly, it’s probably going to stay on mood boards for years to come.