Biographie - Biography

Après les Scouts de France et un service militaire, en tant que photographe à l’EMAS (Ecoles Militaire des Armes Spéciale), c'est en qualité de free-lance que Bernard BAKALIAN découvre le monde de la presse et du photojournalisme. Très rapidement il emprunte les chemins des sports mécaniques et découvre la Formule 1.

Reporter-photographe à l'agence GAMMA, il couvre les grands prix F1 et devient le photographe du futur quadruple champion du monde français, Alain PROST. Bernard BAKALIAN suivra également le championnat du monde des rallyes ainsi que les rallyes raids et plusieurs Paris-Dakar. Au fil des années, il signe, participe et publie plusieurs livre sur la Formule 1 et les rallyes, chez Hachette, Carrère-Lafon, Calmann-Levy, Michel Lafon, Solar.

Parallèlement à son activité de photographie traditionnelle, il apprivoise un nouvel art et réalise ses premiers effets artistiques.

De la photographie à l'art, il n'y a qu'un pas, Bernard BAKALIAN crée huit lithographies originales en tirages limités sur papier Vélin d'Arches et les premières tapisseries d'AUBUSSON, tissées main d'après des photographies avec effets de vitesse. Il participe à plusieurs expositions internationales.

Rendez-vous photographiques avec des personnalités et hommes politiques. Commandes spéciales et personnalisées. Sports mécaniques (Formule 1 – Formule E - GT FIA - LMS - 24 Heures du Mans - Trophée Andros). Tennis (Roland Garros). Jeux Olympiques. Illustration. Tourisme.

La diffusion des photos de presse est effectuée avec www.divergence-images.com, sur plus de 300 titres français, ainsi que sur l’Allemagne et quelques magazines américains.

Octobre 2018 : Sortie d’un livre aux éditions Solar, avec son co-auteur Henri Charpentier, « GRAND PRIX » De la naissance de la course auto en France au retour du circuit Paul Ricard.

Mai 2023 : Sortie d’un livre aux éditions MICHEL LAFON, avec son co-auteur Henri Charpentier, « LES 24 HEURES DU MANS – L’HISTOIRE ». Un siècle de légendes et de courses automobiles.

 A ce jour (septembre 2023) Bernard BAKALIAN a couvert 218 Grand Prix F1. 

After the Scouts of France and a military service, as a photographer at EMAS (Special Military Weapons Schools), Bernard Bakalian has always loved doing action-packed reports.

In 1978, after six years’ studying electricity and technical and industrial electronics, Bernard did his military service in the Special Arms Unit (NBC) in Grenoble as responsible of the photographic service.

In October 1979, he made his debut in the world of the press and photojournalism, while working as a lab assistant in the Universal Photo press agency. He quickly became interested in motor sport, and in 1980 he discovered Formula 1.

In 1983, he began his collaboration with the Gamma Agency covering the F1 grands prix as a photographer/journalist, and became the personal photographer of the future quadruple French F1 World Champion, Alain Prost, whom he followed during his F1 career and his later activities like the Andros Trophy. Bernard also covered the World Rally Championship as well as rally raid events and several Paris-Dakars.

Over the years he has had several books on rallying and Formula 1 published as well as contributing to others with Hachette, Carrère-Lafon, Calmann-Levy and Michel Lafon. He has also developed another side of his talents as a photographer, and divides his time between sport, fashion, illustrations and studio shoots of people from the world of business and entertainment and politicians.

In parallel to his work as a professional photographer, he has begun to master a new art form and has brought out his first artistic photos. 

From photography to art was only a short step and Bernard created eight original lithographs on Velin d’Arches paper, as well as his first hand-woven Aubusson tapestries based on his photos expressing a sense of speed. One of the Aubusson workshops took up his idea and collaborated in the project of making a tapestry with an image in movement and accepted a co-production agreement. A master weaver “Meilleur ouvrier de France” (“The best worker in France,” a title awarded every year) wove the first four images classed as works of art by the Ministry of Culture: Imola (Ferrari F1 – 2000), Parabolica (Ferrari F1 – Michael Schumacher 2001), Velocita (McLaren F1 – Ayrton Senna – 2002 – a homage to the Brazilian champion), Meteora Rossa (2007). The latter Aubusson Tapestry shows Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari in the long Magny-Cours curve during the French F1 Grand Prix. It celebrates the sixtieth anniversary of Ferrari and the final year of Michael Schumacher’s legendary career with the Scuderia. 

Bernard has continued his activities as a reporter as well as pursuing his photographic work with politicians and people from the world of entertainment and industry. He also accepts special personalised orders in the field of Motor Sport (Formula 1 – GT FIA – LMS – Le Mans 24 Hours), Andros Trophy with Alain Prost, tennis (Roland Garros) and the Olympic Games.

He is currently creating new artistic photos and Aubusson Tapestries, and has several publishing projects and international exhibitions planned. 

October 2018: New book with Solar editions, with its co-author Henri Charpentier, "GRANDS PRIX" From the birth of the car race in France until the return of the Paul Ricard circuit. 

May 2023 : New book with Michel Lafon editions, with its co-author Henri Charpentier, « LES 24 HEURES DU MANS – L’HISTOIRE ». A century of legends and motor racing.

To date (september 2023), Bernard BAKALIAN covered 218 Formula 1 Grand Prix.