Timothy White Michael Bolton's new hardcover coffee table photo bookMichael Boltonis out Tuesday, July 8 The singer's friend and photographer Timothy White opens up to PEOPLE about the pair's 39-year history White also reveals his favorite shots of Bolton If a picture's worth a thousand words, then considerMichael Boltonthe ultimate storyteller. The two-time Grammy winner's legacy will be commemorated with a new hardcover coffee table book that celebrates his prolific life in pictures (out now). The tome, titledMichael Bolton, features more than 200 pages filled with both classic and never-before-seen shots of Bolton, 72, all taken by photographer and longtime friend Timothy White. "It was so much fun working with Michael and going back through our history together. I found that we had done 41 photo shoots over the years from 1986 to the present, and it was clear that this project was as much about my history and legacy as it was his," White tells PEOPLE over email. "Michael has always been someone who was very conscious of his image and consequently he was involved in every bit of the process of selection, editing, and final say over his image… but with me always pushing him with my point of view… wink wink :)." The book, published by powerHouse Books, features introductions from both White and Bolton, who first met after Bolton's record company asked White to work on a photo shoot. The "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" singer offers personal commentary throughout the book's pages, providing context to the various images, which include famous album covers and more intimate moments. Timothy White For White, shooting Bolton has always guaranteed a good time, as he praises the star's easygoing nature and quick wit. "Michael Bolton is the funniest man I know," he says. "We developed this close relationship early in our careers, and it was all about his wonderful dry sense of humor as we interacted together. Each shoot was so comfortable for everyone on set as he and I just verbally played with each other, and the work always showed the ease that we've had between us." White has snapped hundreds of photos of Bolton, and admits that picking a favorite shot is a near impossible task — though he does have some to which he's partial. "This is such a hard question given that each shoot was a unique experience and my memories of the process and the laughter distract me from choosing one," he says. "I will say that getting Michael in a bubble bath was a shining moment, but I think that our last shoot together which resulted in the book cover, will always stand out as one of the best." For White, the collection is the culmination of a decades-long friendship, and something of a cherished representation of a well-oiled collaborative machine. Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty "I can only say that my relationship with Michael is not only one of my most important professional achievements, but has become one of my personal lifelong connections as well," he says. "My respect for his artistry and for him as a person transcends our professional relationship. Our laughter and love for each other made working together a pleasure beyond making the images, and instead was about just looking forward to spending time with a legend and great friend." Bolton recentlyappeared on the cover of PEOPLEto speak for the first time about beingdiagnosedwithglioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in December 2023. In an emotional interview that took place at his home in Connecticut, the singer and his daughters spoke about the importance of family and how Bolton's resolve (and aforementioned sense of humor) have helped him keep a positive outlook. "You're reaching into your resources and your resolve in a way that you never would have thought. Succumbing to the challenge is not an option. You're really quickly drawn into a duel. I guess that's the way you find out what you're made of," he said. "I want to keep going. I feel there's still a lot to do on the fight side," he says. "I got a title for a song: 'Ain't Going Down Without a Fight.' " Michael Boltonis available atAmazon,Barnes & Nobleand local bookstores. A limited 500 print-run deluxe edition that includes a pre-signed headshot, plus exclusive bonus material, is available exclusively through the powerHouse Books website. Read the original article onPeople