Photos: The “Lost Archive” of Norman Seeff, With Images of Michael Jackson, Andy Warhol, Mick Jagger, and Carly Simon

Over the past 45 years, photographer and filmmaker Norman Seeff has captured some of the world’s most recognizable faces—Ray Charles, Patti Smith, Carly Simon, Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Dennis Hopper, Andy Warhol, and more—in their most unguarded moments. Though his images have graced some of the most iconic covers of albums and magazines, the authentic connections and conversations sparked by the photo sessions are as artful and important to Seeff as the images themselves. The end result? A vast collection of images from more than 500 photo sessions, some of which he recently rediscovered for “Photographs by Norman Seeff: The Lost Archive”—a selection of 50 photographs that will be auctioned online by Christie’s from September 27 to October 9. Below, Seeff recalls the priceless moments from his most memorable sessions. Plus: Carly Simon on what loosened her up while working with the lensman.