Our beloved crew member Christopher Voelker unexpectedly passed away last week on September 11, 2014. Chris was more than a photographer. He was a visionary and a true artist. He was a friend. In 2007, the SEE WHAT I'M SAYING team visited Chris in his studio for him to photograph our subjects for the key art for our poster. We brought along our cinematographer Jeff Gatesman who filmed the photo shoot. It was the only time all four subjects - TL, Robert, CJ and Bob were together in a scene. It was such a great experience that the footage of our photo shoot became the backdrop of the final scene of the film.

Chris had such a playful, artistic sense about him, and had a way of bringing out the best in all of us that day. He truly saw us for who we are, and each of us connected to him both in front of the lens and behind it. He was able to capture our essence in unique ways, often inspired by the moment. One of my favorite things he said to me when I asked him what we were going to do was, "I don't always know what to do, but I always know what I am doing." Boy was he right. He was brave enough to trust the moment and allow his instincts and professional experience to guide him, and luckily we were smart enough to trust him and play right along with him. Friendships were forged and a bond grew and strengthened over the years.

Here are the incredible photos Chris took of us that day.

Christopher Voelker - Still Photographs from "See What I'm Saying"

Here is a short video of behind the scenes of the photo shoot.

Christopher Voelker Tribute - photographer from "See What I'm Saying"

According to Wikipedia, Christopher "...became the first photographer with a mobility impairment to work professionally for major studios and TV networks such as Universal, Paramount, Touchstone, NBC, CBS, Lorimar Productions, UPN, WB and CW networks. Voelker has also photographed such artists as Mick Fleetwood, Billy Zane, Carmen Electra, Robert David Hall, Christina Applegate, Bow Wow, Beyonc�, Chris Burke, Brandy, Chingy, Omarion, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, Angela Simmons and Tony Orlando."

Chris photographed SWIS friends Teal Sherer, Geri Jewell, Toby Forrest and so many others. He was awarded the Christopher and Dana Reeve Hope Award for his work behind the lens in revealing the human side of those living with a disability.

The last selfless gift Christopher gave was saving a few individual's lives through the gift of organ donation. Please consider this valuable and lifesaving gift and sign up today as a donor in your state.