Christopher Reeve by Herb Ritts

"Christopher Reeve is a very important photograph for you. Did you suggest doing it?
I worked with Christopher Reeve when I first started, back in '82, on a movie. I saw him on an award show-I think it was the Academy Awards, actually-and realized what a struggle it was for him and how positive a man he was. I was finishing up Work and thinking of doing a few more portraits. So I asked if he would sit, and he said yes and flew out from Connecticut . But I hadn't realized the amount of struggle involved for him each day. It took him an hour and a half to get up to the studio from the street. And then he had two nurses and oxygen support. What was so terrific was the optimism he brought to the session.

Did he want that photograph taken?
I don't really think he had been photographed much since his accident. When he saw the pictures, he was a little taken aback, perhaps because the shock had finally hit. I think there's an almost stoic quality about this picture. The light's from a skylight in my studio; it's not artificially lit. I do admire people who, even in a dire situation-like Stephen Hawking, as well-exhibit an indomitable spirit. "

(from herbritts.com)