David Bergman

I grew up as a “band geek” in Miami and attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. The problem was that I found myself taking pictures of my friends’ bands instead of studying for music theory class. So after a year of drumming and learning music production, I transferred to the University of Miami where I walked into the school newspaper on a whim and was handed my first assignment. I was hooked. That semester I sold my drums to buy lenses.

I spent the rest of my 20’s as a staff photographer at the Miami Herald newspaper. As the “sports guy” I was extremely fortunate to cover the Olympics, Super Bowl, World Series, and Stanley Cup Finals. I also pushed for music assignments whenever possible and spent time on the road with Gloria Estefan, which cemented my love of tour photography.

In 2001, I relocated to New York, focusing my energy on sports and music photography. Sports Illustrated quickly became a regular client and I have eight covers to my credit. On the music side, I’m the tour photographer for the Barenaked Ladies and have worked with many great artists and record labels, including Avril Lavigne, Joss Stone, Drew Carey, EMI, and SONY Music.

I’ve photographed six U.S. Presidents and my Obama inauguration GigaPan was viewed over 12 million times. A highlight was documenting President Obama behind-the-scenes at the 2009 All-Star Game.

I call myself an “action photographer” because I incorporate the best of my sports action work into my commercial photography. I utilize technology such as the GigaPan and remote cameras when I think it can add something to my coverage. I also use the newest breed of hybrid HDSLR cameras to produce music videos. I formed TourPhotographer.com a few years ago to help fans get legal, band-approved photos from the concerts they attend.

I’m a charter member of Apple’s elite Aperture Advisory Board and am frequently asked to lecture or lead workshops for corporations and universities such as Apple, Nikon, the National Press Photographer’s Association, R.I.T., and Columbia University.

I’ve been married for 12 years and have a six-year-old daughter.

And, oh yeah, after college I was able to use the money I made as a photographer to buy a new drum set. I keep it in my office.

For more information about David, please visit his website.