The definitive book on the life of the legendary photographer Herb Ritts, withnever-before-seen images and interviews with his closest confidants. At the time of his death in 2002, Herb Ritts was among the most celebrated photographers in celebrity portraiture, fashion, and music videos. During a career that spanned nearly thirty years, he was virtually in a league of his own in terms of style and productivity. Ritts was Hollywood royalty, as were his closest friends and the subjects he photographed. The Golden Hour reveals for the first time the personal aspects of Ritts's world, work, and legacy. The book includes many never-before-seen photographs and scores of interviews from business associates, curators, staff, lovers, and family, such as Cindy Crawford, Elton John, Tom Cruise, Anna Wintour, Madonna, Calvin Klein, and Christopher Buckley (Ritts's college roommate). The book includes images from Ritts's personal archive — behind the scenes at photo shoots, parties, travels, intimate portraits, and moments with friends — along with notes and contact sheets that show how ideas became his best-known iconic images.