Chris Marion captures NBA royalty in upcoming exhibitDate: 8/1/2023 SPRINGFIELD — It is the fourth quarter. There are few seconds left on the clock. With time running out, a basketball player launches a desperate heave toward the hoop right before the buzzer rings. When the shot improbably reaches its narrow basketball net target, the bustling stadium erupts in euphoric pandemonium.
Amidst the chaotic crowds and heightened emotions, professional photographers like Springfield native Chris Marion enter a state of serenity. He zooms in on his subject and precisely times his camera clicks, capturing an expressive snapshot symbolizing an unforgettable sports highlight.
“It’s kind of like in a way when athletes talk about being focused or in a zone, you have to be dialed into what you are doing,” said Marion.
Marion, who works locally in his 270 Albany St. photography studio in Springfield, will be showcasing an exhibit of his work on Aug. 10 from 4-7 p.m. at the Duryea Way Wine and Beer Garden. The collection spotlights some of Marion’s photography from the NBA’s 75th Anniversary celebration that took place during the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend festivities in Cleveland, Ohio.
Growing up, Marion always felt an affinity for the arts, but it took him time to discover his ideal artistic medium.
“I thought a lot about art. I just was not very good at it, whether it was painting or drawing ... When I discovered photography, I knew it was for me. There’s a lot of room for expression through that lens,” said Marion.
Marion began working as a professional photographer roughly 20 years ago. When the former NBA developmental team, the Springfield Armor, entered the community in 2009, Marion offered his services to the new squad.
Marion served as the Armor’s team photographer during their brief tenure in Springfield. However, his renowned work quickly gained recognition from NBA executives.
“During that first year, the NBA had seen the work I was doing for the Armor and they started to hire me ... I ended up going to my first NBA All-Star game about 12 years ago,” said Marion.
Since taking the court for his first all-star weekend, Marion remains a fixture at marquee NBA events. He is a team photographer for WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, and has attended every all-star weekend since, aside from 2021’s truncated celebration that was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
During that time, Marion was still working for the NBA — serving as one of only two photographers selected to cover the NBA G-League Bubble. Marion, along with players, coaches and a limited media presence, was sequestered for roughly two months as the league played through a condensed season at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Florida.
“It was crazy. We had to get tested every day. If you missed a test, you had to quarantine for a specific time,” said Marion.
Despite the glitz and glamour of high-profile NBA events, Marion embraces an uncompromising principle — never be a fanboy while on the job. He stressed the importance of professional photographers focusing on the task at hand rather than basking in the spectacle of celebrities and high-flying athletes.
“I am next to and in front of LeBron James and Michael Jordan, but the only way I am there is because I was hired to do a job ... You have to leave the fanboy behind,” said Marion.
Marion also brings meticulous preparation to his work. He said he keeps a mindful eye for significant storylines during each game, whether it is a heated battle between two rival centers or a red-hot shooter who refuses to miss from the 3-point arc.
“You have to be able to project what is going to happen,” said Marion.
With all his photographs, Marion aspires to convey the excitement of each moment he captures.
“I want people who watched the game to see the photos and think, ‘That is exactly how I remembered it or exactly how it felt,’” said Marion.
Marion’s upcoming exhibit spotlights one of the most monumental gatherings in NBA history. The NBA 75th Anniversary celebration linked legends deriving from every generation onto one unified stage. Some of the marquee names include Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul Jabar, Larry Bird and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
As a lifelong Celtics fan, Marion harbors a particular affinity for one of his prints.
“There is a shot of Kevin McHale, Paul Pierce and Robert Parish ... It is just spectacular,” said Marion.
Following over a decade of NBA photography work, Marion shared that he still finds himself astonished by his career pathway.
“It is just a dream come true,” said Marion.
Marion’s exhibit is a precursor to the Basketball Hall of Fame’s enshrinement weekend. On Aug. 12, basketball icons Dwayne Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Gregg Popovich, Pau Gasol, Becky Hammon and Tony Parker will be among the latest additions to the hall’s hallowed grounds.
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