Such a Sad Story

Known in disability circles for his striking New Mobility covers, Voelker brought new meaning to the word glamour by capturing wheelchair users in iconic, yet unique images. His cover photo of actress Teal Sherer in a classic Hollywood pose instantly shatters a stereotype while celebrating uncommon beauty. Each cover was a work of art that expressed not only potential, but substance and wit. He once said that in photographing people with disabilities, it was as if he put himself both behind and in front of the camera.



Voelker also built a successful business as a Hollywood image maker, photographing the likes of David Lynch, Christina Applegate, Ringo Starr, Mick Fleetwood and Lauryn Hill, among hundreds of others. That he was able to attract such a long list of star clients was a source of personal pride for Voelker, a C6-7 quad, given how notoriously superficial and competitive Los Angeles is.