THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF YVE ASSAD | DESTINED TO DOCUMENT THIS LIFE ON TWO WHEELS

Photograph by © Yve Assad

“It all started with my first bicycle at age 5. After I ditched the training wheels, it was over. I was hooked on 2 wheels. I used to follow the older boys in my neighborhood around like a puppy down the steepest hills, probably reaching speeds of 30mph on my tricked out pink Schwinn complete with handlebar tassels and a flowery banana seat…no helmet on…obviously.

Growing up, I was never around motorcycles, but we were always on our bicycles. It was our vehicle to adventure, we went everywhere and explored everything. Years later in photojournalism school when I was introduced to Danny Lyon’s work, The Bikeriders, I developed an unabated fascination with motorcycle culture. Something about Lyon’s pictures clicked with the kid in me. The independence, the grit, the thrill really came through his images and I wanted a taste. (His photo “Crossing the Ohio River” is still my favorite photo of all time.) I started lurking around seedy biker bars taking pictures of all the old, salty characters that rolled in, trying not to piss anybody off…”

Photograph by © Yve Assad

“In 2008, I met my husband Will Fulford, a fervent street rider and I finally had the opportunity to ride. There was no turning back, I loved being on a bike and it rekindled my interest in motorcycle photography. In 2009, Will took me to Indianapolis for the Moto GP and we caught the Indy Mile flat track race the night before for “something to do”. The sound, the smell, the history of the sport reeled me in and the next year we set off on the road documenting the AMA Pro Flat Track series and have been doing so ever since. It gave me the opportunity to work for some awesome clients as well as travel the country. Aside from shooting racing, I love capturing the lifestyle around me, the guys I ride with, the vintage motorcycle festivals, the swap meets…it’s passionate, it’s pure. I won’t let it go, it’s a part of me now.”

- Yve Assad