Matthew Jordan Smith's book of Aretha Franklin photos was a long time coming.

Smith was the legendary singer's official photographer from 2005 until her death at age 76 from neuroendocrine cancer in 2018.

Smith told CNN he initially planned on putting the book together in 2020, but that was delayed due to the pandemic.

When he finally got the chance to get the project off the ground, he used the crowdfunding site Kickstarter to help make it happen. The result is a collection of striking images displaying the richness Franklin's life and career.

"I've shot so many different artists and celebrities," Smith said of his decades as a photographer. "But there was nobody like Aretha."

Here are just a few of the images in the book "Aretha Cool," which is out now.

A contact sheet of Franklin and Hugh Jackman backstage at the 2005 Tony Awards. They performed "Somewhere" from the musical "West Side Story."
A contact sheet of Franklin and Hugh Jackman backstage at the 2005 Tony Awards. They performed "Somewhere" from the musical "West Side Story."
Matthew Jordan Smith
Franklin dances to her song "Sweet Sweet Baby (Since You've Been Gone)" during a photo shoot in Detroit in April 2014. The song was part of Smith's "Aretha Cool iPod mix," which was played during many of their photo sessions.
Franklin dances to her song "Sweet Sweet Baby (Since You've Been Gone)" during a photo shoot in Detroit in April 2014. The song was part of Smith's "Aretha Cool iPod mix," which was played during many of their photo sessions.
Matthew Jordan Smith
Franklin poses during her inaugural photo session with Smith in Detroit in February 2005.
Franklin poses during her inaugural photo session with Smith in Detroit in February 2005.
Matthew Jordan Smith
Details of Franklin's outfits at McDonald's Gospel Fest in New York City in June 2005.
Details of Franklin's outfits at McDonald's Gospel Fest in New York City in June 2005.
Matthew Jordan Smith
Franklin performs at Madison Square Garden during McDonald's Gospel Fest in 2005.
Franklin performs at Madison Square Garden during McDonald's Gospel Fest in 2005.
Matthew Jordan Smith
Franklin reacts to a NYPD officer asking for her autograph while she was being photographed in Times Square in June 2009.
Franklin reacts to a NYPD officer asking for her autograph while she was being photographed in Times Square in June 2009.
Matthew Jordan Smith
Franklin poses in Detroit in February 2005.
Franklin poses in Detroit in February 2005.
Matthew Jordan Smith
Franklin performs at Gospel Fest in June 2005 before performing at the Tony Awards later that evening.
Franklin performs at Gospel Fest in June 2005 before performing at the Tony Awards later that evening.
Matthew Jordan Smith
People wait in line to pay their respects to Franklin at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit in August 2018.
People wait in line to pay their respects to Franklin at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit in August 2018.
Matthew Jordan Smith
An attendee, paying tribute with a hat reading "RESPECT," watches Franklin's funeral service in Detroit.
An attendee, paying tribute with a hat reading "RESPECT," watches Franklin's funeral service in Detroit.
Matthew Jordan Smith