Niva Bringas 1964-2007 The Niva Bringas Photography Collection

I had the pleasure of knowing him and being able to call him both a colleague and more importantly a friend, since our paths crossed back in the late ‘90’s in a photo pit. Ever since he’s either worked for me or I’ve worked for him. Niva was born in Miami but was raised and lived in Chicago his whole life. He started shooting in the mid ‘70’s and got his first big break when he started photographing a girl who lived just down the street from him. That girl turned out to be Joan Jett and this was back in her Runaway days and the rest as they say is history.

Even with being Joan Jett’s photographer through the decades, Niva didn’t set out to be a photographer right away. Instead he went into a different type of shooting, law enforcement. Niva became a Chicago police officer but of course getting shot in the line of duty has a way of changing your perspective in life and that experience brought him back to his first love, photography.

Niva has studied with many of Chicago’s greats through the years including Stan Malinowski and Art Ketchum. In 2000, he took over as Photo Editor for Midwest Beat Magazine. Through the years Niva’s work has appeared in almost every major publication of music and otherwise including Rolling Stone and the Chicago Sun Times. If he wasn’t being the official tour photographer for Joan Jett and the Blackhearts he was the acting secretary for the C.P.P.A (Chicago Professional Photographers Association), which he did for 3 years.

Recently, Niva added tour manager to his resume. Niva took over the reins as tour manager for Chicago’s own Michael McDermott and when he wasn’t setting up shows he was of course doing what he does best, taking photos. His recent work appears on Michael McDermott’s new album.

Niva Bringas will be missed and I can’t believe I’ll never see him in a photo pit again. This year alone I’ve seen him at Nelly Furtado, Roger Waters and the Chris Cornell pit to name just a few. He always made me smile and had the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever known. My condolences goes out to his family and I hope they know what an impact he made to all of us through the years.

If you live in the Chicago area a service will be held on Sunday, September 16 from 4 PM to 9 PM at the Drake & Son funeral home (5303 N. Western). Also there will be a memorial service on Monday September 17 starting at noon with the burial service following at the Rosehill Cemetery.

My friend rest in peace I miss you already.

Comments

How? Written by Guest on 2007-09-17 07:49:31 How did he pass?

Wow, sad news... Written by Guest on 2007-09-17 11:22:08 He took so many great photos of the Runaways back in the day. Hopefully, he passed peacefully.

Written by Guest on 2007-09-17 15:30:06 Niv was a great guy. Hard to believe he's gone. He'll be missed.

Art Ketchum Written by Guest on 2007-09-17 23:53:52 Niva, was one of a kind. Unique and loved by almost everyone he met and photographed. He was dedicated to his craft as a photographer and will be missed by all that knew him.

So Sorry Written by Guest on 2007-09-18 09:03:23 Hopefully he is at peace and his family is doing well. How did he pass?

We Love You Written by Guest on 2007-09-18 13:12:28 Niva, I know that you are up there snapping away - we all will see you again one day - so take some good pictures for us.......oxoxox

Bummed Written by Guest on 2007-09-18 23:14:35 How did he die? I ran into him not long ago and he seemed fine.

hey is my uncle Written by Guest on 2007-09-22 15:06:20 he is my uncle anyone wants to know more please email me and i will tell you my email is prettygirlkk95@yahoo.com  peace

Rick Warburton Written by Guest on 2007-10-23 11:16:15 You will be missed, Niva... It was so great a pleasure knowing you and the music that we loved...    goodbye good friend..

Comments Written by publisher on 2007-11-02 00:05:46 Thanks everyone for taking the time to read and leave a comment for our dear friend Niva.

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My Father-in-law Written by Guest on 2008-08-01 15:38:42 I will be soon married to his son Anthony, They were the very best of friends and I am grateful that I got to meet his amazing father before he passed we will be holding a memorial soon with his art work if anyone wants anymore information contact Heather at 847-385-4932 thank you for all these comments it really makes Anthony and I happy to know that people show this kind of emotion to his father.

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