You know that feeling when you walk into a local Chicago dive bar and see a grainy, framed picture of the 1996 squad? It’s basically a religious relic. Whether it's the legendary 72-10 team or the fresh faces of the 2025-26 roster, a chicago bulls team photo isn't just a PR requirement. It is a snapshot of an era. Honestly, if you grew up in the 90s, that specific image of Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman—usually with Phil Jackson looming in the back like a Zen master—is burned into your retinas.
But things have changed a lot since the days of film cameras and oversized suits.
The 2025-26 Roster: A New Look for a New Era
The latest chicago bulls team photo for the 2025-26 season tells a very different story than the dynasty years. We’re looking at a squad that is younger, faster, and frankly, a bit more international. You’ve got Josh Giddey and Coby White in the backcourt, representing the new guard. Then there’s the veteran presence of Nikola Vučević, who usually anchors the center of these shots because, well, he’s huge.
Taking these photos is a massive production now. It's not just "stand there and smile." The team's content department, led by folks like Luka Dukich, treats these sessions like high-fashion shoots. They need assets for TikTok, Instagram, and those massive digital billboards on the Eisenhower Expressway.
Who is in the Frame This Year?
If you’re looking at the official 2025-26 team portrait, here is who you’ll see:
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- The Core Playmakers: Coby White (#0) and Josh Giddey (#3) are front and center.
- The Big Men: Nikola Vučević (#9) and Zach Collins (#12).
- The Youth Movement: Matas Buzelis (#14) and the rookie Noa Essengue (#24).
- The Glue Guys: Ayo Dosunmu (#11), Patrick Williams (#44), and Kevin Huerter (#13).
- International Flavor: Keep an eye out for Yuki Kawamura (#8), who has become a massive fan favorite despite his 5-foot-7 frame.
What Most People Get Wrong About Team Photos
Most fans think the chicago bulls team photo happens on the first day of training camp. Nope. It usually happens a few weeks into the season once the 15-man roster and the two-way players are solidified. You don't want to print 10,000 posters and then trade your starting shooting guard the next day. That's a logistical nightmare.
There's also the "Visual Hierarchy" to consider. Have you ever noticed how the stars are always in the middle? In the 90s, MJ was the sun that everyone else orbited. Today, it’s a bit more democratic, but you’ll still see the highest-paid or most "marketable" players seated in the front row.
The "One Shot" Legend of Bill Smith
We can't talk about Bulls photography without mentioning Bill Smith. He was the guy behind the lens for the most iconic images of the 90s. There’s a famous story from the 1998 team photo—the last one with the "Big Three."
Smith was using an 8x10 film camera. This thing was a beast. He had a cloth over his head and an elaborate lighting setup. Jordan, being Jordan, told him: "Bill, if you were a professional, you'd only need one shot." Smith argued that someone might blink. Jordan looked him dead in the eye and said, "I won't."
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He didn't.
That 1998 chicago bulls team photo remains one of the most valuable pieces of sports memorabilia because it captured the end of an empire. You can see it in their faces—a mix of exhaustion and "we’re the greatest to ever do it."
Why the Digital Age Changed Everything
In 2026, the "team photo" has evolved into a "content day." Players spend hours moving from station to station.
- The Traditional Still: The one that goes in the media guide.
- The "Hype" Station: Slow-motion walk-ups for the United Center Jumbotron.
- The Social Station: Doing the "hand heart" or specific handshakes for TikTok.
- The Personality Clips: Answering "Who's the funniest on the team?" for YouTube.
The Bulls social team has over 45 million followers. They know that a static image of 15 guys standing in rows isn't enough to stop the scroll anymore. They need the "behind-the-scenes" look. Fans want to see Julian Phillips joking with Matas Buzelis while they wait for the lights to be adjusted.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to track down or even create your own piece of Bulls history, keep these things in mind:
- Check Official Sources: The highest-resolution versions of the chicago bulls team photo are always found in the NBA.com Media Central or the official Bulls app. Don't settle for blurry screenshots.
- Look for the Rookies: From a collector's standpoint, team photos from a player's rookie year (like Matas Buzelis in 2024 or Noa Essengue in 2025) often hold more value over time.
- The "Two-Way" Factor: Remember that players like Lachlan Olbrich or Emanuel Miller might be on two-way contracts. Sometimes they are included in the main photo, sometimes they aren't. It depends on the day's roster status.
- Lighting Matters: If you're trying to take your own "team style" photos at a local game, remember that NBA arenas use overhead strobes triggered by the photographers. To mimic that "pop," you need high ISO settings (800-1600) and a fast shutter speed (at least 1/800th of a second).
The chicago bulls team photo is a bridge. It connects the 1966 inaugural team to the 1990s legends and the 2026 hopefuls. It’s a document of who was there when the ball tipped off. Whether the season ends in a trophy or a lottery pick, that photo remains the definitive record of the journey.
To stay updated on the latest roster moves before the next official photo, keep a close watch on the Bulls' injury reports and G-League assignments, as these often dictate who makes the final cut for the mid-season promotional shots. Check the official team site every October for the first "Media Day" gallery release to see the season's aesthetics before they hit the print shops.