Kobe.

Just the name alone makes me think of greatness, because that’s what Kobe is: an all-time great.

We first met in Orlando in 1995. He was a rookie and I was shooting for Upper Deck trading cards. I had him on a trampoline. This is something I used a few times with him — he was the best I’ve ever seen on a trampoline. We have worked together many times throughout his career. Kobe is an interesting, intelligent, driven, world-class basketball player.

I’ve shot a lot of athletes in my career, but a Kobe only comes along once.

Here are 24 of my favorite photos from a career shooting No. 24.

1997.

1997.

1997.

With Tyra Banks, 1999.

2000.

2000.

2001.

With Shaq, 2001.

2001.

2002.

2002.

With Shaq, 2002.

2002.

2002.

2002.

2002.

2002.

With Phil Jackson, 2002.

2002.

2010.

2010.

2014

2015.

2015.

Photographs via the personal collection of Walter Iooss Jr., NBAE/Getty Images, Sports Illustrated/Getty Images, and The Players’ Tribune.