Trove of never-before-seen photos uncovers Prince’s ultra-private world… and the night that he changed forever

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In October 1999, Prince, wearing a black wool cardigan to ward off the autumn cold, was photographed at a playground. He was holding onto a rope swing, and a thoughtful expression crossed his face as he looked at the photographer.

Right behind him sits a light blue baby swing, a gift he’d had made three years prior for the son he’d always dreamed of. Sadly, that little boy passed away from a rare genetic illness just six days after being born.

Photographer Steve Parke was working closely with Prince at the time, serving as his personal photographer. He was always available to capture images that reinforced the singer’s iconic and carefully crafted public image.

Thinking back on that afternoon, he recalls how the atmosphere of the photo shoot shifted as they explored the grounds of Paisley Park, Prince’s studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota—a place that ultimately became his private retreat and where he sadly passed away at the age of 57.

Oh my gosh, I remember it so vividly! He was wearing this incredible, sparkly outfit – seriously, it caught the light with every move! Then, get this, he changed into just a simple sweater and we shot some more scenes back by the pond. And then we moved out front, and I swear, something caught his eye. He just stopped and said, ‘Okay, this place… this could be amazing for a scene!’ It was like he just saw the potential, you know? I was completely mesmerized.

It was October 22, almost exactly three years to the day since Prince’s son had died.

Parke described how the atmosphere changed that day. He didn’t realize it at the time, but when he reviewed the photos, he clearly saw a drop in the person’s mood and a decrease in energy.

The captivating photo of Prince is featured in Parke’s new book, Prince: Black, White, Color, which was released on Tuesday. The book comes out just before the tenth anniversary of the singer’s death on April 21, 2016, when he tragically died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl.

From 1996 to 2001, Parke worked as Prince’s photographer and creative director. This was a difficult time for the musician, as he dealt with personal struggles while trying to balance his public image with his inner life.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always been fascinated by figures who present a public persona while battling private struggles. Photographer David Parke, who worked closely with Prince, shares that while he intentionally kept their conversations focused on art and performance, he truly hopes his new book offers a glimpse beyond the iconic image. Many of the photos have never been published before, and I’m thrilled to be able to share them with you – they really reveal the man behind the legend, offering a more intimate and human side to Prince.

People were surprised to see the photos, often commenting that they hadn’t realized he spent time outdoors or sometimes went barefoot. He explained that seeing those images helped people understand he was an extraordinary person, but also a relatable one.

Oh my god, the photos… they just get him. It’s exactly how I remember Prince – always so put-together, like a perfectly sculpted dream. And that look! So incredibly alluring, and the way he played with androgyny – the makeup, the jewelry, the clothes… he could be anyone, anything! It was mesmerizing, honestly. He was a chameleon, always transforming, and it was everything.

He makes pouty faces for the camera, affectionately touches his dancers, and playfully lowers his sparkling pants to show off a glimpse of his hip or abs, sometimes decorated with gold paint.

However, there’s another side to his work, revealing a more introspective and thoughtful Prince. Photographer Parke recalls a series he shot of the artist at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. In these images, Prince appears lost in thought, eyes closed, hair blowing in the wind, and bathed in the warm light of the setting sun.

We were on location, and he had a few particular places in mind for filming. But we also just explored and discovered some great spots along the way, which made for a really relaxed and enjoyable experience, he explained.

Parke thinks he was able to take such compelling photos because of the deep connection he shared with his subjects. They talked about everything – from personal beliefs to current events – and openly exchanged thoughts and ideas.

He explained to The Daily Mail that because they worked together closely and were also friends, things felt less stressful.

Parke was a Prince fan from childhood and unexpectedly began working with the artist in the mid-1980s. While taking photos of musicians around Washington D.C. to earn money, he met a bass player who later joined Prince’s band and introduced them to each other.

Their working relationship started in 1988 when Prince invited the artist to Paisley Park to help with set design. Prince liked the work and began commissioning more projects, like T-shirt designs, and they quickly became good friends and colleagues.

Though famous for his energetic and extravagant performances, Prince was actually a very private and thoughtful person. He struggled with shyness and carried emotional scars from a difficult childhood, marked by an abusive stepfather, an uninvolved mother, and a father who wasn’t emotionally available.

Because it was difficult to gain people’s trust, Parke thought this quality actually helped him get hired as Prince’s personal photographer in 1996, even though he didn’t have much experience.

He felt comfortable because he wasn’t constantly meeting new people, which made things easier.

They began working with early digital cameras, collaborating on aspects like lighting, how the images were framed, and editing them after they were taken to explore the possibilities of this new technology.

Parke recalls collaborating with Prince as a highly demanding but immersive experience. Prince expected complete dedication, and they often worked late into the night – sometimes all night – to perfectly match his artistic vision for the photographs.

In 1996, Prince and his wife, Mayte – whom he’d married that Valentine’s Day – were expecting their first child. He was so thrilled about the upcoming birth that he decorated Paisley Park with clouds and built a playground on the property.

Parke and Prince were editing photos, and around 9 p.m., Prince dramatically yawned and announced he was going to bed.

Parke said she found the situation strange and wondered what caused it. However, after thinking about it more, she believes he was getting ready to become a father.

Amiir Nelson was born on October 16, 1996, with a rare genetic condition called Pfeiffer syndrome type 2. This condition caused significant skull deformities and meant he was unable to breathe independently.

Sadly, children with Amiir’s condition often live only hours or months. After a very difficult decision, Mayte and Prince removed him from life support, and he passed away on October 23rd.

Prince was deeply affected by his son’s death and found it hard to cope with the loss. Despite his grief, he returned to work quickly, and just a week after Amiir passed away, he and Mayte gave an interview with Oprah Winfrey at their home, Paisley Park. In her memoir, Mayte revealed that Prince had asked her not to talk about Amiir’s death during the interview.

Parke’s photos, taken in a playground on October 22, 1999, seem to show he was thinking about his son. This date was the day before the third anniversary of his son’s death.

Several photos in Parke’s latest book, published by ACC Art Books, feel especially meaningful now. A series of black and white images taken in mid-1999 at a villa in Marbella, Spain, capture Prince and Mayte relaxing in white pajamas with their dogs – a tender picture of peaceful home life.

But the following year, they divorced, as they struggled to get over Amiir’s death.

Parke suggested that after experiencing something traumatic, it’s incredibly challenging to make healthy decisions for your relationship, even if those decisions would be beneficial in the long term.

I understood the thought of simply moving on and forgetting about it, but I don’t believe that usually leads to a good outcome for those involved.

Parke now looks back on his former boss with great respect and admiration. He and the singer stopped working together in 2001, as Parke had a son and found that being a parent didn’t fit with the singer’s incredibly demanding schedule.

He last saw Prince in May 2015 at a concert in Baltimore. Prince performed at the show to honor Freddie Gray, who died while in police custody on April 19th, an event that led to riots in the city.

With the anniversary of Prince’s passing near, Parke wants his photographs to help a new generation discover and appreciate Prince’s incredible music.

Parke believes that while photos and stories are wonderful, the artist’s music is his true lasting impact. He feels fortunate to have contributed to that legacy, and hopes his work will encourage people to discover or revisit the music, which is what he’d like to be remembered for.

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2026-04-13 02:21