Mike was the official race photographer and took some incredible photos. My favorite from the 2009 North Pole Marathon was of Ted Jackson looking like the Abominable Snowman. It made the front page of the Sun in London. Going to the exact North Pole was a memory I'll never forget.
I have been lucky to go to some Bucket List sporting events over the years. But, it doesn't hold a candle to the events that Mike was PAID to photograph. His iconic photos include but are NOT limited to Diego Maradona running, Jurgen Klinsmann falling in the 1990 World Cup, and Diego Maradona kissing the 1986 World Cup Trophy
Mike was a great Wimbledon photographer and we talked lots of tennis. His photos include John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, 4 images of Andy Murray in one photo.
His last major photo was of Boris Becker before 2015 Wimbledon. Boris was late after Novak Djokovic lost a Boodles Exhibtion match to #NextGen star Sascha Zverev. Novak righted the ship and beat Roger Federer in their second straight Wimbledon Final.
He photographed Haile Gebrselassie in Track and Field. I hope FIFA moves the 2022 World Cup to the North Pole Soccer instead of Qatar.
In addition to sports, Mike photographed the Global Seed Vault in Norway, the Queen Mum, weddings, the 21st century Starsky and Hutch (AKA Richard Donovan and Fearghal Murphy), and old British soldier. Mike also took moving pictures of the 2015 remembrance of British soldier Lee Rigby who was murdered near Mike's flat in London. This was a very moving photo of flowers at the crime scene. We discussed that quite a bit as it shook us both. He photographed a gang members in the "Harry Brown" movie starring Sir Michael Caine.
These are some tributes from his colleagues.
Award-winning photographer Mike King has died
“No agenda, no attitude”: Mike King the Master Craftsman of Sports Photography
Video tribute by Philip Brown.For more incredible photos, please visit Mike's Photostream on Flickr.
Mike's passing was way too soon. I hope there is a rainbow wherever he is. Mike King, RIP.
