As you might recall from our last blog featuring myself with Takeo Spikes, where the NFL films featured the book we had been photographing.  We photographed 12 hall of fame NFL linebackers for this book, creating images of who they are now.

Mike and Takeo go way back, where they first met several years ago at the wedding of Todd France, a long time NFL agent. Mike was Todd’s wedding photographer, and Takeo was one of the many NFL players invited at Todd’s wedding (he was Takeo agent), Mike took several photos of Takeo and his daughter, not knowing that they would later become very close. The following year, Takeo’s daughter, who knew that Takeo loved photography, looked up photography workshops in the Atlanta area. She wanted to give her father a certificate for a private photography workshop for Father’s Day. She happened to come across Mike’s Creative Edge Photography Workshops and purchased a gift certificate. Takeo was thrilled to have the chance to be the only student and receive one-on-one assistance while his daughter modeled. Takeo enjoyed that workshop so much, that he continued with numerous private photography coaching lessons with Mike over the next year.

Here are a few  of the images you’ll find in the book:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chuck Bednarik:

 

Mike Singletary:

Rickey Jackson:

Harry Carson:

After Takeo retired from the NFL, he decided he wanted to produce a book about Hall of Fame NFL players in order to tell their stories outside of football and wanted his first book to be on linebackers. He was inspired by the idea that, “If who you are is what you have and what you have is taken from you, WHO ARE YOU?” – Takeo Spikes. Takeo wanted to ensure that the memories of these Hall of Fame players would live on, and that’s where Mike came in. During one of Takeo’s private photography coaching sessions he asked Mike if he would like to  photograph Behind the Mask with him.

London Fletcher:

Kevin Greene

Mike was excited to be part of this project, and together they began on what turned out to be a 2½ year long project full of many rewarding moments.  There was lots of coordinating involved, and Mike had to be heavily involved in everything, not just photography, including organizing, putting things together, shoots, etc. The job involved going after very involved players for an entire day of photography, which is hard to do considering some of these players are very busy people so get them to contribute a full day to a shoot was a challenge in its own. These player shoots were not just any regular scheduled photography shoots, Mike and Takeo had to be ready to go anywhere. One particular shoot was beyond anything Mike had ever done before. He  went to Angola Prison to photograph Mike Singletary who was asked to speak to over 800 inmates at Angola prison, where the worst of the worst prisoners are sent. Upon entering, Mike vividly remembers a traditional steeple church being surrounded by rows and rows of barbed wire, with cell doors and high security precautions. It was a unique experience for Mike.

Willie Lanier

Cornelius Bennett:

Bobby Bell:

For the duration of this project, Mike and Takeo have flown to and shadowed 12 NFL linebackers, spending a day with each to learn about their lives. The lives and stories of each man are as individual as the men themselves. The stories Mike and Takeo have captured in their photography are the stories you won’t find on Google. They aren’t statistics on each man, or simply a general characterization of each. These are the stories of their passions, their new life’s work. Each man has received his own chapter in the book, a chapter that reveals who he has become since life being known as an NFL star.

Derrick Brooks:

Behind the Mask officially came out in mid December, 2016, however just this past Sunday, June 4, a book unveiling party was held at the Estate in Buckhead. At the party, Mike met with some journalists from Fox for an interview about the book and the journey it was. Two hall of fame players even flew in for the event!  Needless to say, the book was a success! We are very proud and grateful to have worked with many amazing players while creating this book.

Behind the Mask can be purchased here.

A few behind the scenes from the book launch

Mike was even interviewed by Fox Sports!