Cover Shoot: Brain & Life Magazine with Will Shortz

I photographed Will Shortz, the mastermind behind the New York Times puzzle section, for the current Brain & Life feature story. In March of 2024, he suffered from a severe stroke that significantly impacted his life. The photoshoot was particularly challenging, as it involved capturing a stroke patient who was very limited in his ability to move freely and who had, to a certain degree, lost control over his facial expressions. I had previously photographed Will seven years ago for a different magazine story, and it was difficult for me to see just how much this stroke had fundamentally changed him physically. Nevertheless, during our conversation before the photoshoot, I clearly recognized his unwavering drive to overcome the obstacles presented by his current state. My intention was to ensure that I did not portray him as a helpless victim, but rather as a strong individual courageously battling through this significant life-changing event.

The image bottom left was submitted by Will Shortz, the image top right was taken by Stefan Radtke