Having worked with Chris Cornell a few times, I was incredibly saddened by the unexpected news of his recent passing.
As soon as I heard, I went through my archives and found some of the beautiful portraits I shot in 2009 and 2012 that had never been printed.
Everyone always talked about what a kind and sweet man Chris was, and it was absolutely true. The first time we got together, my wife Rebekah and my stepson Calvin were both on the set with us. We talked a lot about family, music, and about how he couldn’t wait to take his daughters to see the stage production of Dora the Explorer later on that day.
When we had our second shoot, it was with Soundgarden at the historic Moore Theater in Seattle. We didn’t have a lot of time, so I was in a bit of a rush to complete the shoot. The guys were gracious and friendly enough to invite me out for dinner afterward.
I turned them down because I had to return my rental equipment and I really regret that now – I should have just left everything there and gone anyway, but how can you know it’s your last chance?
I’m just glad I got to work with such a talented and kind musician.
NYC 2009
Incredibly honored, almost beyond words, that my portrait of Chris was chosen from the countless images of him taken over the years to be displayed for family and friends at his memorial service.
Back stage at Seattle's historic Moore Theater, 2012
