Raleigh, N.C.-based commercial, advertising, editorial, and portrait photographer Bryan Regan spends a lot of his time photographing CEOs, doctors, lawyers, and people in suits, but he’s always been attracted to fringe groups and the people associated with them. That’s why he recently jumped at the opportunity to shoot a personal project during Myrtle Beach Bike Week, a bi-annual motorcycle rally that is anything but ordinary.
After approval from his wife and a 12-mile, 1 ½ hour drive in heavy traffic, Bryan arrived at Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, where most of the Bike Week action takes place.
Locals have cracked down on the infamous event since it first began, but things can still get crazy:
Myrtle Beach is a strange place by itself — even without the bikers. At night the bikers would cruise up and down the strand, and people would sit in front of their motels and cheer and holler as they drove by.
Although he came prepared with two lights, stands, and battery packs, the lack of space to set up and the commotion of the event rendered his lighting equipment useless, so he ended up shooting with available light. The final images showcase the colorful characters and scenes that are synonymous with Bike Week. So far, Bryan has had a positive response to the images and has even inspired some friends to plan a trip to Bike Week next year.