
Widely viewed as one of the greatest sports photographers of our time and called “the poet laureate of sports,” Walter Iooss, Jr.’s photographs have graced the pages of Sports Illustrated, including more than 300 covers, for 58 years. Since the age of 17, Walter has photographed some of the most recognized athletes in sports history, including Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Tiger Woods, and hundreds more. His ability to create beautiful backdrops for his subjects, both action and portraits, changed the definition of what a “good sports photograph” should be.
Walter's action shots and portraits reveal his uncanny sense of graphics and Rembrandt-like reverence for light and shadow. His ability to truly connect with his subjects, athletes, or models, is what helped make Walter the best in the game.
Flexibility and reinvention are two attributes that can largely determine the successful career of a photographer, and Walter Iooss has been doing both for more than 50 years. A world-class sports photographer with the instinct of a seasoned journalist, combined with the eye of a master artist, allowed him to excel in the area of sports/action photography and commercial advertising.
Walter Iooss, Jr.
The Corner, Havana, Cuba, 1999
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Pele, New York, NY, 1989/2000
Gelatin silver print with red ink
Walter Iooss, Jr.
The Blue Dunk, Michael Jordon, Lisle, IL, 1987
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Tiger Woods, Carlsbad, CA , 2000
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Kelly Slater, Melbourne Beach, FL, 1990
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Cloud Diver, Boca Raton, FL, 1990
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Gymnast, Los Angeles, CA, 1983
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA, 1993
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
The Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus, St. Andrew's, Scotland, 1978
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
The Slam Dunk, Michael Jordon, Chicago, IL, 1988
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Arnold Palmer, Chaska, MN, 1970
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
LeBron James, Clevland, OH, 2003
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Kevin Garnett, Minneapolis, MN, 1999
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
The Catch, Dwight Clark, San Francisco, CA, 1982
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Kickboxer, Bangkok, Thailand, 1995
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Connie Mack Stadium, Philadelphia, PA, 1969
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Jack Nicklaus, Chaska, MN, 1970
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Jimmy Connors, Santa Barbara, CA , 1991
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Joe Montana, Redwood City, CA, 1991
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Joe Namath, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 1969
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Wilt Chamberlain, Boston, MA, 1967
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Greg Louganis, Indianapolis, IN, 1983
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Surfer, Hanalei Bay, Kauai, HI,1976
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Tiger Woods, Orlando, FL, 2002
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Arnold Palmer, Springfield, NJ, 1967
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Roger Maris Hits His 61st Home Run, Bronx, NY, 1961
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Michael Jordan, Orlando, FL, 1993
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Magic Johnson, Beverly Hills, CA, 1991
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Kobe Bryant, Seattle, WA, 2002
Archival pigment print
Walter Iooss, Jr.
Ken Griffey Jr., Baltimore, MD, 1996
Archival pigment print