2013 Indy 500

This was my first year helping cover the Indy 500 with the crew from the Indy Star. We had 15 photographers covering the main front of the track and a handful of people shooting crashes in the turns. The track is 2.5 miles around so there is a ton of ground to cover. 
We arrived race day at 7:30 a.m. after getting a police escort in and then it was off to work. My first gig of the day was to cover the "celebrity" red carpet event. Not much to say about that except i'm really glad they had a cheat sheet with names and pictures of the people on it. 

(Man vs Food host Adam Richman...hey I actually knew one!)

Then I was given great access to the Green Room where the drivers meet up before the race to relax and chat with each other. The room was packed and pretty loud, but behind a large wall banner I spotted last years race winner Dario Franchitti who used the time to be quiet and get himself focused.


(This was a tough shot to make, one, I tired to be as unobtrusive as possible so I didn't piss him off, and two, it was really really dark back there. For the photo folks out there, f1.8 1/6 second 2000 ISO.)


(IndyCar driver Scott Dixon has a moment with a friend)


(Jim Neighbors talks to eventual race winner Tony Kanaan)

Then it was time to hit the track where I found the Boston Marathon runners who weren't able to complete their race in Boston and finally finished at the famous yard of bricks on the track. It was a cool moment to see.


My assignment during the race was to cover the south end of the pits. Surprisingly not a ton goes on down there during the race and I wasn't anywhere near any of the leader's pits. Here is what I did manage to get from there.




(Late Show Host and IndyCar team owner David Letterman in his pit)




Finally the race was over and I made a mad dash to track down the winner and crowd favorite Tony Kanaan.





Though it was a long, tiring day there is nothing like having an up close view at the largest single day sporting event in the world, and I can't wait to be back next year.

Rock and Worship Roadshow

I was asked to shoot a Christian rock concert Saturday night called the Rock and Worship Roadshow held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Now Christian Rock isn't my thing but I never turn down a chance to shoot a show. Sure it's easy and always lit nicely but I have fun with them. Here are a few images, mostly of the crowd since they were so into it.












Indianapolis corporate and editorial photographer

Rick Ross (and friends)

I shot my first rap show last week for the Indianapolis Star featuring rappers Rick Ross, Wale, and Meek Mill (yeah, I didn't know who the latter two were either). I didn't know exactly what to expect having never shot or even been to a rap/ hip hop show before. It was fairly entertaining but there is only so much I can hear about "effing bitches" before I had had enough.

Rick Ross (and friends) - Images by Chris Bergin
Indianapolis photographer Chris Bergin

Indiana POW

I photographed a POW event in downtown Indy for the Indianapolis Star last weekend featuring five Indiana former Prisoner's of War. All five honorees had amazing stories and here is my favorite image from the event. This is former Indiana Governor Ed Whitcomb who was captured and tortured by the Japanese in WWII. He escaped by swimming through shark infested waters to an island where he eventually made contact with the United States Army.


Indianapolis editorial and corporate photography

Friday Night Football

I shot high school football last night for the Indianapolis Star. It was the first football I have shot in over a year and was really nice to get out there and shoot some action and play around with the nice light as the sun came down. Enjoy.

Friday Night Football - Images by Chris Bergin

Indianapolis Photographer

Train

Two concerts in two days... this time it was Train at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indy. They put on a great show (from what I got to see of it).

Train - Images by Chris Bergin

Indianapolis Color Run

Images from the 2012 Color Run in Indianapolis. As a freelance photographer in Indianapolis, I try to stay current on most of the goings on... this one slipped me by and I found out about it 30 minutes before the start. I grabbed my gear and hurried downtown to White River State Park and got there just in time. I had a great time shooting it and really glad I made the effort. 

Color Run - Images by Chris Bergin

Indiana Drought

This is what drought coverage right after a rain storm looks like. I had been seeing some beautiful  images from Indiana over the past few days of dry cracked ground, and when I got a call from Reuters wanting me to cover the ongoing drought, I was excited to get out and make some of those images myself. Turns out it started raining right after I got the call so no cracked ground for me but I was able to make these images out at Morse Reservoir where water levels are at record lows.


Indiana Drought - Images by Chris Bergin

Outlaws MC FBI raid

The FBI conducted the largest federal raid in Indianapolis history this morning targeting the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. Over 300 agents conducted the raids and arrested over 30 people. Here are my images from the Indianapolis club raid. 

Outlaws MC FBI Raid - Images by Chris Bergin

Sr. (Citizen) Prom

I recently photographed a Sr. (Citizen) Prom organized by the students at Franklin University for the Indianapolis Star.  It was great to see the folks dance into the wee hours of the evening.


Sr. Citizen Prom - Images by Chris Bergin

Religion: Jews and Black Christians reunite

Images I shot for a religion piece in the New York Times. An area near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana was once a vibrant area shared by black Christians and white Jews. In the 1960's the area started to decline and the people moved away. A local anthropology professor has found a way to bring the people back together once again... through the church.

Click HERE to view the article by Samuel Freedman


NYTimes_Religion - Images by Chris Bergin

On set with ESPN

Behind the scenes images on the ESPN Superbowl sets in Indianapolis. The people at ESPN are a pleasure to work with, and the cast and crew of SportsNation are a blast.


Blog ESPN - Images by Chris Bergin

Butler vs Green Bay

Decided at the last minute to go and shoot some Butler basketball last night. Here are some images from their win over Green Bay.


Butler vs Green Bay - Images by Chris Bergin

Sports Illustrated

It was great to find one of my images from the first Butler home game run on Sports Illustrated online. Here is a screen shot of the image.

Butler vs Louisville

Images from Saturday's Butler vs Louisville game. Butler played for the first 30 minutes then Louisville took over.


Butler vs Louisville - Images by Chris Bergin

Butler vs Chattanooga

I just started covering the Butler Basketball season for Icon Sports Media. Here are images from the first game against Chattanooga at Hinkle Fieldhouse.


Butler vs Chattanooga - Images by Chris Bergin

NCAA Presidential Retreat

I just left my newspaper job and moved down to Indianapolis to start a freelance career. My first job this week was working for the NCAA shooting the presidential retreat in Indianapolis. The retreat was a gathering of over 60 Division I university presidents to discuss college athletics including all the rules and regulations, and what they can all do to to streamline things. I was pretty limited as far as what I could shoot and it consisted mostly of shooting the presidents as they left the meeting and arrived to the meeting. 

Here are a selection of images from the event. 

An usher waits to welcome university presidents to the NCAA Presidential Retreat in Indianapolis. 

NCAA President Mark Emmert kicks off the meetings with Division 1 presidents. 

NCAA President Mark Emmert speaks to the media following day one of the retreat. 

NCAA Presidents great each other during the NCAA Presidential Retreat.

Schueler Wedding

Images from the wonderful wedding of Liz and Aaron Schueler in Indianapolis. I have known Liz since college and it was great to be able to photograph her wedding.

LizAaron blog gallery - Images by Chris Bergin