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Meet Harrison Funk: Michael Jackson's Personal Photographer


Posted: Jun 24, 2010 by aimstar

Veteran Harrison Funk is not your ordinary rock photographer.

Text: Aimstar; Photo: Harrison Funk

“Music has always been my life. I love the visual aspect of music. You can’t just listen to music without seeing something in everything and that’s what I strive to capture,” says veteran photographer Harrison Funk, who’s exclusive photographs make up this special tribute. “It’s that feeling of music behind the scenes, in front of the audience, why they make the music and how they make the music—the flavor of what they feel must portray to their fans.”

Over the course of his 20 + year career, he’s photographed them all —from Madonna, Nelson Mandela, U2, Ice-T and others—the best and the up and coming in music, lifestyle, politics, fashion and entertainment, and reportage. And in 1983, he began his work on The Jacksons Victory tour, which eventually led him to become Michael Jackson’s personal photographer. “Michael must have been the most energetic artist I have ever worked with in my life and also the most inspiring. Michael’s energy was always incredible. Shooting Michael was one of the greatest experiences of my life,” Harrison said.

Looking at his photographs, what becomes most obvious about Harrison is that he is a master of motion. Going far beyond simple portraits, his visual works reflect the depth of his relationships with his subjects, in that he was able to penetrate their feelings as they peaked and mirror back in film their most human nature. “That’s the creative synergy that I’m talking about. With Michael, or like with any other client, I just watch, study and anticipated or even pre-anticipated [his moves]. You become one with the artist’s motion.” He continued, “You do behind the lens what he’s doing in front of the audience. It’s a synergistic ability that is created by knowing the artist and working well with them.”

Posted In: Profiles, Photographers, harrison funk, michael jackson, photographer, profile

User Comments

  • jasonc

    jasonc at 10:27 AM on Aug 14 2010

    The photo with them in front of all the cars came from one of his early concert tour books. Sweet