"Being Honest is the Bedrock of Goodness" - Interview with Andrew D. Bernstein

March 19, 2025

By Bessy ADUT

Like many of the professional athletes he photographs, Andrew D. Bernstein is recognized as an all-star in sports photography. The unique personal rapport Bernstein has developed with athletes, coaches, and teams over the years allows him exclusive access to special behind-the-scenes moments. A co-founder of NBA Photos, Bernstein is the key photographic contributor to NBA Entertainment’s global media platforms, which include NBA.com, all league publications, and NBA licensed products. He has been the team photographer for twelve professional home teams that won championships in basketball (Lakers in 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020), baseball (Dodgers in 1988), and hockey (Kings in 2012 and 2014). Bernstein has covered 40 NBA Finals and 38 All-Star Games as the senior NBA photographer.

In 2018, Bernstein collaborated with five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant on the worldwide bestselling book “The Mamba Mentality: How I Play,” a unique look at Bryant’s 20-year career through Bernstein’s lens. Previous books include “NBA Hoop Shots: Classic Moments from a Super Era” published in 1996 and “Journey To The Ring” co-authored with Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson in 2010.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame named Bernstein a 2018 Curt Gowdy Media Award recipient, acknowledging his contributions to basketball media. This prestigious award is presented annually to members of the electronic and print media whose longtime efforts have made a significant contribution to the game of basketball. Bernstein is the second photographer to receive this honor.

An inductee of the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame as well as the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, and more recently Bernstein has been inducted into the 2024 California Sports Hall of Fame, announcing his retirement capturing sports moments behind the lens to being in front of the camera as a national speaker, author, podcast host, and entrepreneur.

Bernstein co-founded the sports content platform “Legends Of Sport,” focusing on the most iconic personalities and moments in sports. The platform shares intimate stories through publishing, documentaries, events, and a weekly podcast hosted by Bernstein bearing the same name which is available on all major platforms.

Bernstein was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and earned his B.F.A. from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. Andrew and his wife Mariel reside in Los Angeles, CA, and are the parents of four children.

Access more from Legends Of Sport on Instagram and www.legendsofsport.net, and YouTube. Bernstein’s photography can be found at www.adbapi.com and on Instagram.

Where are you located?

Los Angeles area

What are your current projects?

Season 7 of the podcast "Legends Of Sport"; the book project of Kobe and Gigi Bryant murals...

Please share how you started and got to where you are today...

I became hooked on photography when my Dad bought me my first camera at age 14. I was also a big sports fan, so it seemed like a natural thing to marry my two passions into a career as a sports photographer. I've had many mentors who helped and encouraged me along the way. I am proud of the body of work I have created over 45 years and am excited for the next chapter in my work life: Building Legends Of Sport into a major sports content platform.

Has it been a smooth road?

No, and it wasn't supposed to be smooth, or easy. I truly believe that the road to success is not a straight line. Failures along the way have taught me resilience.

Tell us more about your life and career...

I have earned the trust of many athletes, teams, and leagues by always being my genuine self. I never want to be a distraction or hard to work with. I have never taken for granted the success I have worked hard to attain and the reputation I have built.

My job wasn't always conducive to family life, but somehow I was able to raise two kids as a single Dad and then four together with my wife.

What do you think goodness is?

Being honest has to be the bedrock of goodness. It all starts there with integrity. People and clients gravitate to someone who conducts themselves professionally at all times and is fun to be around. Especially in my world of professional sports.

Who are you outside of your professional life?

I have always tried to be of service in and out of my professional life. Now I am able to extend that as a mentor to the next generation of sports photographers. It's really important that my craft is left in good hands and I take that very seriously.

I also love to spend time with my wife and family--travel, play tennis, and be grateful for everything!

Are you interested in environmental issues?

Yes. Global warming is very concerning to me. I have recently learned from some very well-known nature photographers how our entire ecosystem is in grave danger, if we don't do something to protect our planet now.

Do you think the world is not a good place right now?

I always try to find goodness in everything, but our current political state is making it very difficult to be optimistic. I have never felt embarrassed to be an American as I am in the present time. Our democracy is really at stake and we all need to act to prevent the worst from happening.

How do you make the world a better place?

We all live on the same planet. We all value our families. I truly believe we all want to be happy and live in tolerance and peace. At the time I felt that the Covid shutdown was a worldwide "time out" to reset our common values, but sadly we are worse off now than before.

How can we all make the world better?

Listen to each other. Show respect and tolerance for our differences because that is what makes our humanity unique. Take care of our planet.

How can science and spirituality coexist?

I think they go hand in hand. Science is the intellectual way to make our lives better through technology, medicine, etc. Spirituality keeps us connected to each other through common values and goals through love and the help of a Higher Power, if that's what you believe, as I do.

If you could go anywhere, where would you go (and why)?

I've always wanted to see the penguins in Patagonia and maybe keep going to Antarctica. Also, I would love to see the majesty of Alaska on a cruise.

Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

Never give up on your dreams! Don't give in to the "noise" in your head. Seek the wisdom of mentors and others who believe in you and won't let you fail. Value time because that's the only thing in life we truly can't control.

Please provide shareable links (website, social media)...

Website: www.adbapi.com
Instagram: @adbphotoinc
Instagram: @legendsofsport
YouTube: Legends Of Sport
LinkedIn: Andrew D. Bernstein

6 February

The Rebirth of The Izmir Historical Rabbinate Library - Interview with Donna Dina Eliezer

On December 17th, 2024, the Rabbinic Library of Izmir, located in a room of the Karatash Jewish Hospital was opened. With more than 1700 books printed between the 17th and 20th centuries, the library is a testimony of the community´s reputation of being one of the Sephardic world´s intellectual and religious centers. Rare books containing handwritten marginal notes of famous rabbis from Izmir are just one of the reasons that make this library unique. A Jewish educator from Philadelphia, Donna Dina Eliezer, tells the story of how she discovered the books in the old Hahamhane (Rabbinate) building and how she dedicated herself to helping salvage the books and form the Rabbinic Library of Izmir.

"Being Honest is the Bedrock of Goodness" - Interview with Andrew D. Bernstein

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