We have developed a technique to image the near-field liquid core within an atomizing spray. To obtain high-fidelity images of the liquid core in such a spray has been very challenging up to this point. In this article, however, we describe the successful use of a time-gated ballistic imaging instrument to obtain high spatial resolution, single-shot images of the liquid core in an atomizing water spray. Time series of these images reveal a flow field undergoing turbulent primary breakup. One can also detect potential signatures of spatially periodic behavior, shedding of droplets from an intact core, and small voids that seem to appear and then coalesce with distance. We present images at six positions downstream of the jet exit and discuss our findings.