In 1985, the original Air Jordan I — designed exclusively for Michael Jordan — hit the streets, forever changing the sport shoe market and influencing streetwear world-wide. As Jordan’s career developed, he became known for his acrobatics and iconic slam dunks, earning the nickname ‘His Airness’ and the iconic, ‘Air Jordan.’ 

Working on-location with Portland-based design studio Enjoy the Weather, I photographed a series of 31 hero images showcasing the original collection of Air Jordans housed at the Nike archive in Beaverton. Each shoe was custom lit to accentuate the particular qualities of each model, highlighting the unique materials and design elements of every release. Look closely at the images and you’ll see the wear & tear and signature from Michael Jordan himself. The final imagery is still in use on The Air Jordan Collection website.