Robert Freeman is undeniably one of the greatest lost photographers of the modern age , most famous for shooting the first five album covers for the Beatles and the first Pirelli calendar . Now , aged 78 and in poor health , it is both himself and his legacy - a historic archive of iconic photographs spanning 60 years - that could be lost forever . In response to huge public demand , coupled with the love of his family , the serene 1965 photograph ‘ John Lennon with Panda ’ is today being re-released and available at www.freemanarchive.com as a limited edition A2 or A3 archival C-type metallic print . In response to huge public demand , coupled with the love of his family , the serene 1965 photograph 'John Lennon with Panda ' is today being re-released to raise funds for its photographer Robert Freeman 's care . The exclusive sale organised by his son Dean Freeman will end 15 May 2015 , raising vital funds for Robert ’ s ongoing care as well as the preservation of a body of work that captured the likes of his personal friend , Andy Warhol , Muhammad Ali , Sophia Loren , Marianne Faithful and Jimmy Cliff . Due to the proud and eccentric nature of a great artist , Robert has refused all family help and this is Dean ’ s way of maintaining his father ’ s dignity and saving his priceless archive . Due to the proud and eccentric nature of Robert , whose work includes this picture of Andy Warhol called Rome from 1972 , he has refused all family help . After graduating from Cambridge in 1959 , Freeman became a professional photographer , with assignments for the Sunday Times and went on to capture pictures like this montage of Jimmy Cliff in 1966 . As well as capturing five Beatles album covers and the first-ever Pirelli calendar , Robert 's work also includes this grainy shot of Charlton Heston in 1962 . All previous reproductions of his work have sold for thousands of pounds so this auction is set to raise a huge sum . Robert became close to the Beatles at the height of their fame , and it is this mutual intimacy that gave him unprecedented access to capture their lives through a series of beautifully grainy black and white photographs . Speaking about Robert , Paul McCartney once said : 'Although other people were taking photos of us at the time , I think we all felt that his stuff somehow summed up our own feelings . His photos were among the best ever taken of the Beatles . ' After graduating from Cambridge in 1959 , Freeman became a professional photographer , with assignments for the Sunday Times and other magazines . As well as musicians , he worked with athletes , including Cassius Clay a.k.a Muhammad Ali , captured in 1964 . He also worked with The Beatles in their feature film debut , A Hard Day 's Night . One of his assignments was photographing jazz musicians at a London jazz festival , helping him to develop a portfolio including portraits of John Coltrane , Cannonball Adderley , Dizzy Gillespie , Elvin Jones , and Coleman Hawkins . These were the photos he sent to Beatles manager , Brian Epstein , in the summer of 1963 . In addition to being the Beatles ’ most favoured photographer , Robert directed television and film commercials and two feature films : The Touchables and Secret World . Dean Freeman , a successful director who has published more than 10 works on various stars and once worked as the Spice Girls ' official photographer , said : 'My father is extremely frail , living alone in a small hostel and is in desperate need of care . 'He can no longer look after his valuable archive of work that is falling into disrepair . All proceeds of our exclusive sale will help him recuperate and preserve his wonderful images and stories . 'It would be heartbreaking to see this irreplaceable body of work lost to future generations . ' In addition to being the Beatles ' most favoured photographer , Robert directed television and film commercials and two feature films : The Touchables and Secret World .
Captured by Robert Freeman , now 78 , and in poor health . Put on sale by his son to raise funds for his ongoing care . He was a close friend of the Beatles and their favourite photographer .