From Kobe to Gretzky, photographer Andrew D. Bernstein captured iconic moments over four decades in sports. Here’s the story behind his images.
A Legacy Framed Through the Camera
Few photographers can claim to have shaped the way fans remember sports history. Andrew D. Bernstein, the NBA’s first official photographer, spent more than 40 years chronicling defining moments — from the Los Angeles Lakers’ dynasty years to Wayne Gretzky’s record-breaking goal.
Career That Spanned Generations
Based in Los Angeles, Bernstein became the trusted photographer for the Lakers, Kings, Clippers, and Dodgers. His proximity to players like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and later Kobe Bryant earned him unprecedented access. This trust turned him into a silent witness to both private locker room moments and public celebrations.
Images That Became History
Bernstein’s portfolio includes some of the most enduring images in modern sport: Kobe Bryant alone with the championship trophy in 2001, Michael Jordan’s emotional embrace of his first NBA title in 1991, Gretzky holding the puck from his 802nd goal in 1994, and Kawhi Leonard celebrating the Toronto Raptors’ 2019 championship. These photographs, often taken in fleeting moments of vulnerability or triumph, became timeless markers of sports culture.
Why His Work Resonates
Part of Bernstein’s impact lies in his ability to disappear into the scene, allowing athletes to exist naturally in high-pressure situations. He described himself as a “fly on the wall,” capturing unguarded moments — Kobe icing swollen ankles on a grueling road trip, or the quiet reflection before a championship celebration. The result was not just documentation but storytelling through still images.
Expanding His Influence
Today, Bernstein co-runs NBA Photos, the league’s global licensing arm for photography, and hosts the Legends of Sport podcast. He mentors young photographers, ensuring the craft continues beyond his career. His ongoing reflections on iconic images provide rare insights into the intersection of artistry, sport, and history.
How His Story Continues
Though no longer courtside for every game, Bernstein remains deeply embedded in the sports world. His photographs, spanning four decades, are not only part of archives but also cultural memory. For fans in Canada and beyond, his work preserves moments like Leonard lifting the Raptors’ first NBA title — a reminder that sports are not only played, but remembered, through the power of an image.
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