Andrew D. Berstein

Like many of the professional athletes he photographs, Andrew D. Bernstein is recognized as an All-Star in his respective field. He has been the senior official photographer for the NBA since 1986 and is the key photographic contributor to NBA Entertainment?s global media platforms, which include NBA.com, all league publications and NBA licensed products. His NBA photography has appeared on thousands of magazine covers throughout the world.



Since joining the NBA in 1983, Bernstein has developed an impressive reputation in the world of sports photography. He is recognized as a highly skilled and innovative action and portrait photographer. The unique personal rapport he has developed with the athletes over the years allows him exclusive access to special behind-the-scenes moments.
He has also been instrumental in the development and use of the multiple camera Flash Wizard II system, which has revolutionized indoor sports action photography.



Bernstein, 48, grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he was an avid sports fan who participated in the action through the lens of a camera. His portfolio earned him a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship and a scholarship to attend the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif., from which he earned a BFA in 1981. As a student, Bernstein devoted himself entirely to sports photography, working full time as a studio assistant and part time as an assistant for Sports Illustrated.



His work frequently appears in national magazines such as Sports Illustrated, ESPN, The Sporting News, Time, Newsweek and various other publications world wide. He is also known to sports fans off the printed page, making frequent television appearances to discuss his work. His company, Bernstein Associates, Inc., has served as the official photographer for most of Los Angeles? professional sports teams, including the Lakers, Dodgers, Clippers and Kings. In addition, Bernstein holds the position of Director of Photography for STAPLES Center, the sports and entertainment complex in Los Angeles.



Recent projects involved photographic coverage of the 1992, 1996 and 2000 United States Olympic basketball teams from their inception through their gold medal wins in Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney. Other projects include advertising campaigns featuring some of the world?s top athletes for Reebok, Adidas, Pepsi and Coca-Cola, Nike and Icy Hot.



Book projects include America?s Dream Team, NBA Jam Session, NBA at 50, Basketball?s Best Shots as well as three titles from the Lakers recent back-to-back-to-back championships: The Big Title, Close Two A Dynasty and Dynasty!!! A showcase devoted to Andy?s NBA photography was published in NBA Hoop Shots: Classic Moments From A Super Era in early 1996.



Bernstein?s NBA photography is represented by NBA Entertainment. His commercial and other editorial work is represented by Francoise Dubois of Dennis Represents. Bernstein?s photographs have been showcased in solo shows in the Los Angeles area at the Sports and Entertainment Gallery, the Canon Gallery and Gallery 319, as well as in a twenty year retrospective at the 2004 NBA All Star Weekend in Los Angeles. His limited edition photography is represented exclusively by SPS Limelight Agency and displayed in the ?Bernstein Collection? at the Art of the Game galleries in STAPLES Center and other locations in Southern California.



Bernstein is among only four photographers whose work was selected for permanent exhibit in the media wing of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, Mass. In that exhibit, Andy?s favorite shot, titled, ?Michael Jordan: Come Fly With Me,? is on display.



Bernstein was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in January 2001.



Bernstein is currently a volunteer photography instructor and mentor at Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), a youth center benefiting inner city children and teens. In December 2005 HOLA will be honoring Andy with their ?Hero of the