The last day of the International Photography Festival (Xposure) 2025 saw legendary sports photographer Andrew Bernstein taking the stage and enthralling the audience with a visual journey through his illustrious career, sharing the stories behind some of his most iconic images. From capturing Michael Jordan’s first NBA championship embrace with his father to documenting the rise of Kobe Bryant and the Lakers’ dynastic dominance, Bernstein has been an ever-present force behind the lens in the world of sports.

“I always say, I have four kids, so at any given time, one of them I like more than the other,” Bernstein quipped when asked about his favourite photograph. “But if I was to be remembered for one picture, it would be this one.”

He was referring to his famous 1991 image of Michael Jordan cradling his first championship trophy, an emotional moment made even more poignant by the tragedy that followed years later, when Jordan’s father was murdered. The image, Bernstein revealed, was so meaningful to Jordan that he later requested a personal print.

The art of anticipation

Bernstein, who has covered the NBA for decades, delved into the technical prowess required to capture the perfect moment. Unlike modern sports photography, where digital cameras allow for rapid-fire bursts, his early years required precision and anticipation.

“I get one shot every four seconds,” he explained, referring to the use of strobes—arena lights timed to sync with the camera’s shutter. “I can’t ask them to do that again. I’m not in a studio.”

That discipline and preparation have defined Bernstein’s career. He would arrive at arenas hours before tip-off, setting up remote cameras, meticulously framing shots, and, most importantly, learning the rhythms of the game. His work capturing Bryant’s gravity-defying dunks and Shaquille O’Neal’s dominance was not just about skill with a camera—it was about understanding movement and being ready when magic happened.

Embedded with the legends

One of Bernstein’s most cherished assignments was being embedded with the 1992 Dream Team, the legendary US Olympic basketball squad that included Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird.

“It was a phenomenal experience. If I could have retired after that, it would have been a great career,” he reflected. “But my career was just revving up.”

With exclusive access to the locker rooms and training sessions, Bernstein captured intimate moments that no other photographer could. His approach was simple: be invisible.

“I hung my hat on that my whole career—just being a fly on the wall, never a distraction,” he said. He recalled a silent understanding with coach Phil Jackson, whose raised eyebrow was a subtle signal that it was time for Bernstein to leave the room.

The shot that got away

Even for a Hall of Fame photographer, regrets linger. When asked if he ever missed a shot he wished he had captured, Bernstein admitted, “Vince Carter’s dunk over that seven-foot French guy in the 2000 Olympics. I missed it. No excuses. Just missed it.”

For a man whose lens has framed some of the most memorable moments in sports history, that single miss remains a sore spot.

From Film to Fame

Bernstein’s legacy stretches beyond his photographs. His work has graced the covers of Sports Illustrated and adorned the walls of Nike and Reebok campaigns. Yet, the landscape of sports photography has changed dramatically since his early days.

“Getting the cover of Sports Illustrated used to mean you had arrived,” he said. “Unfortunately, today, that’s not the case. Sports Illustrated is basically gone. A lot of my photographer friends are out of work, and it’s really a shame.”

Despite these shifts, Bernstein remains as passionate as ever. His collaboration with Bryant extended beyond the court, culminating in the book The Mamba Mentality, which he co-authored with the late NBA star.

“He wanted to tell his story of what being the Black Mamba meant, and he wanted me to illustrate it with my photos,” Bernstein recalled. “It was an honour.”

The future of sports photography

In an era where every spectator holds a smartphone aloft, capturing moments for themselves, Bernstein pondered the shifting nature of photography. Talking about LeBron James’ record-breaking shot surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record, he noted an unusual detail in his frame: “Everyone had their phone up. Except for two people—Phil Knight, the owner of Nike, and my good friend Jimmy Goldstein, who doesn’t even own a phone. What does that say about society?”

As he wrapped up his talk, Bernstein’s parting message was clear: great sports photography is about more than just being in the right place at the right time — it’s about understanding the game, preparing for the unexpected, and, most importantly, telling stories that transcend the court, the pitch, or the rink.

After a career spent immortalising the world’s greatest athletes, Bernstein has himself become an icon of sports history, his images woven into the very fabric of the games he so passionately captured.

His talk was aptly timed, perhaps the showstopper of Xposure, the seven-day event celebrating art in its visual form. Bringing together photographers from across the world, Xposure’s expanding scope with each edition is a treat for visitors.