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"World Book Encyclopedia" Advertisement Photoshoot

Date range assessed by the fact that the shirt he is wearing was also worn in January 1993 for the Clinton Inauguration

Harrison Funk, personal photographer for 30 years, The Guardian (June 20, 2018)

Another Funk photo shows Jackson holding a book in front his face. It is an intensely personal shot intended as an advert for the World Book Encyclopedia, which would be distributed to American classrooms. “The art director gave me carte blanche to do what I wanted, so I really wanted to push the limits of what was possible. Michael’s eyes were his most defining feature, way more than his feet. I knew I could capture his soul by focusing on his eyes and that’s exactly what happened with that photo.”

But was Jackson actually covering his face due to shyness? “Maybe. But his shyness and introversion never hindered his ability to work with me as a photographer. Michael knew exactly what he wanted artistically…”