Heralded sports photographer presents work at the Center for Photography

Bill Frakes is a master at shooting athletes. Those bodies caught in motion will be on exhibit tomorrow night from 6 - 9 p.m.

The Charleston Center for Photography is hosting the sports themed event which features 16 works by Frakes, Sports Illustrated staff photographer.

"They all vary from the Kentucky derby, to diving in the Olympics, the iron man competition, rodeos, the NFL, the NBA, it really runs the gamut, even Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition pictures, everything really. And most of them have made a cover on Sports Illustrated," said Stacy Pearsall, owner of Charleston Center for Photography.

"He covers everything in sports. Bill's not known for anything in particular and that's what makes him so legendary; he's adept at everything."

Frakes has worked in 100 different countries and has won hundreds of awards for his work, both national and international. These include the Newspaper Photographer of the Year award in the Pictures of the Year competition and the Gold Medal by World Press Photo. He lists Nike, Nikon, Reebok, Champion, Kodak and many other top industry leaders as editorial and advertising clients.

Tomorrow night's open-to-all-ages event will be augmented by performances by a competition cheerleading squad, music and a photo booth where people can capture snapshots of themselves and friends. A basketball hoop will be on site where attendees can do free throws for prizes.

Five dollars will get you in, plus a raffle ticket for prizes. All are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite team's colors, jerseys and as fanatics. The best dressed will win another raffle ticket.

"We're trying to have some fun. It's going to be a little mini sports carnival," Pearsall said. "There's not going to be a dull moment. There will be so much to do at the exhibit, not just see great photographs. The center is a place for people of all ages and all walks of life to come and meet new people."

Frakes' prints will also be up for sale in a silent auction. The bids start at $75 for the smaller ones and at $150 for the larger. His prints usually go for thousands of dollars each.

"One of the goals of the Center is to get youth involved in the arts," said Pearsall. "For those of you who love sports or don't necessarily have a future in sports, you can still be a part of athletics. There is more to sports than being an athlete. There are trainers, coaches and photographers too."

"I really want to show people that photography has many different facets and genres," she continued. We're just trying to highlight the different abilities that photographers can take on."

If you go

What: Bill Frakes photo exhibit

Where: Charleston Center for Photography, 654 King St., downtown

When: 6 - 9 p.m. Friday

Cost: $5

More information: www.ccforp.org