Jackson's Photographer remembers his longtime colleague and friend

Michael Jackson's photographer, Harrison Funk, who captured all of Michael's iconic moments for over two decades, is taking Jackson's death especially hard because the pop star's 51st birthday is Saturday.

"I think that there's no reason that Michael shouldn't be here, and I think it's very sad," Funk said. "It boggles my mind that he's not here anymore, and it's going to be a very sad day for a lot of people."

The two met 25 years ago when the Jacksons were on their victory tour, and Funk asked to take some photos them. It was around the same time as Jackson's popularity apex and when "Thriller" was becoming the best-selling album of all time. Funk described Jackson as "a bit quiet, maybe even shy."

Funk said Jackson always knew what he wanted in his photos. "Working with Michael was a visual collaboration. He didn't dictate terms but you knew he knew what he wanted visually"; Funk says, "[Michael] really had a vision for himself and his brothers."

Although Michael had a reputation as an artistic perfectionist, Funk said Michael never tried to take control when he was trying to get his shot. "Michael's big understanding of how to work with a photographer is to let a photographer do his job," he said. "He understood the craft very well, and I loved that about him, and I thought that was amazing."

Funk said Michael was never camera shy. Michael was given advice by Paul McCartney to "document everything."

"And Michael loved that, he loved to document everything."

Funk's favorite photo he took of Michael was three years ago, when Michael accepted an award at the World Music Awards, and Michael reached out to a fan.

"I love the spirit, I love the way Michael just walked over to his fans and started reaching out to him," Funk said.

Funk refused to talk about Michael's personal life, citing there was a confidentiality agreement. Funk was upset with Jackson's troubled image.

"That is probably the thing that bothers me the most about how people perceive Michael, because they never got to know Michael as a person, and to know Michael as a person was to laugh and have fun and share an understanding of humanity," he said.

Funk was very excited about the "This Is It" comeback concert in London in July. He was looking forward to working with Jackson.

"I was looking forward to seeing these shows, I thought these shows were going to be one of his greatest, if not most momentous tours," he said. "I think Michael had a very definite game plan, but Michael always had a definite game plan. I'm devastated that he's not going to be able to do it."

Michael died June 25.

Source: AP