
8 moments shot by Walter Iooss Jr. and Nathaniel S. Butler that capture the GOAT.

Sports photojournalists Walter Iooss Jr. and Nathaniel S. Butler reminisce about their favorite Michael Jordan moments, photographs and share what it was like photographing him during the 90s and during his last dance with the Chicago Bulls. 

INTIMATE OFF-COURT MOMENTS OF MJ by Walter Iooss Jr.

MJ's Endless Reflection 
“This image of Michael Jordan and the mirrors was taken outside of Chicago in 1991. There was one four-by-eight foot mirror on a platform and two four-by-eight foot mirrors on the sides that we moved at angles to create the endless reflection.” —Walter Iooss Jr.

(L) Every Monday and Thursday 
"Picture two is from 1993 while working on the book, Rare Air. Michael cut his hair twice a week: Mondays and Thursdays. That’s access. [Laughs]" —Walter Iooss Jr. 
 
(R) Michael in Bed 
“This was in Coconut Grove, Florida in 1993. It was after a practice night in Miami. I knocked on the door of his room, he let me in and he just laid down in bed. So, you know, I knew I couldn't stay too long. I opened up the curtain a little bit, let the light in, then took a few shots of him in bed. Bingo. That's it.” —Walter Iooss Jr.

MJ on the Way 
“[This] picture of Michael driving in the car was also taken in 1993 for the Rare Air book and I wanted to follow Michael throughout his day, from the moment he left his home to the game and then back home. When we got in the car, going to the stadium from his home, I said, ‘Do you want to talk?’ Some athletes don’t like talking before games, but Michael said, ‘Walter, I'll answer questions but I won't initiate conversation.’ ‘All right, perfect.’” —Walter Iooss Jr.

Walter Iooss Jr. on his favorite MJ moment: 
My favorite memory of Michael is really a long one in a sense, ‘cause it took place when they beat Phoenix in 1993 to win the NBA championship. We went in the team bus to the hotel and up to his room with his family and his friends where we all celebrated, and it was just a culmination of the whole season for the book, Rare Air. It was one of those moments you'll never forget again for as long as you live.

ICONIC ON-COURT MOMENTS OF MJ by Nathaniel S. Butler

MJ from the Foul Line 
“This is from the 1987 Slam Dunk contest in Seattle. Typically when shooting for the NBA or Sports Illustrated, we’re briefed with strong editorial guidelines that we have to follow and you can't really manipulate the images. This is a black and white original and I wanted to play around and create an art piece by coloring in Michael’s jersey. People have in their head an image of Michael jumping from the foul line, so it's pretty awesome in that regard.” 
—Nathaniel S. Butler

(L) Last Game at the Garden 
“This was Michael’s last game at the Garden. Again, as a fan and a little bit of a sneakerhead, when he wore the [<a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/air-jordan-1">Air Jordan 1</a>] at the Garden they just looked so cool. A couple of months ago, I heard a story about his Jordan 1s actually being a size too small. That was very cool to me because I guess they talked about it during the broadcast of the game. That, to me, just made it all the more special, that someone like Michael, gets the old pair of sneakers from the back of the closet or something, just like any of us would. And then, obviously he had a crazy game. I want to say 42 points or something and played great, looked great. Just a typical performance of his at Madison Square Garden. —Nathaniel S. Butler 
 
(R) 6 Rings 
“This is MJ on the court after clinching the 1998 NBA Finals, [holding up] the six fingers [signifying] his six championships. To me, this was always a great photo because we all thought that this would be the last time he would be on the court. I was fortunate enough to be in the right place when he reacted like that, because it's not easy to get those types of shots. You're in a scrum with a bunch of other people and fortunately, he just did it really quickly and I got this one frame. It’s one of my all-time favorite photos.” 
—Nathaniel S. Butler&nbsp;

The Last Dance 
“They were celebrating in the locker room [after they had just won their sixth championship] and Scottie [Pippen] and Michael went back into the shower. We're just sitting there talking about it and the both of them are totally exhausted. They're sitting there with their champagne and cigars, and to me, it was just a great moment capturing where they were right after the initial excitement wore off. They were like, ‘Holy shit, like we did it,’ you know? It was just two guys—two teammates—that have been through all the ups and downs and winning their sixth championship. It was really an amazing feat. For me to be in that moment, I wanted to capture it but still give them a little space and not be in their faces. I didn't really shoot a lot, it was a couple of frames and then I let them enjoy their moment. I think that's what I was trying to do at that point. It's just, you know, capturing the essence of that moment.”—Nathaniel S. Butler

Nathaniel S. Butler on his favorite MJ moment: 
“I do have the ultimate crazy sneaker story where I was an idiot: We had finished the Barcelona ‘92 Olympics. I was fortunate to be a part of that. It was a crazy time where we were together for, like, five weeks with the team. It was like summer camp: You have to practice, you'll have meals. 
 
Anyway, my room was three rooms down from Michael's where he would take hour long naps because he was golfing all the time. On the last day, there was literally a pile of sneakers in his room and I walked by the door. [He was like], ‘Hey, you want a pair?’ And I said, ‘No.’ 
 
I was newly married in 1992 and had just gone shopping. Our suitcases were packed full of Barcelona souvenirs. I should have said yes, but I didn’t really have any room. Looking back on it now, I should have emptied the suitcase and left my clothes. I could've left my cameras and just walked home with a pair of <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/air-jordan-7-retro-olympic-2012-release-304775-135">‘92 MJ-worn sneakers from the Olympics</a>—and I would have been a wiser guy for it. But instead, I have some cheesy “I heart Barcelona” t-shirt.&nbsp;

An Icon on Film: Photographing Michael Jordan in His ’90s Prime


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An Icon on Film: Photographing Michael Jordan in His ’90s Prime