Today we’d like to introduce you to Barb Levant.
Barb, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My first paid and published work was October 1976, while still a photojournalism student at ASU. After graduating from college, I moved to Los Angeles and worked as an assistant. It was there that I became a master printer. One of our main accounts was Olga lingerie. Milky white skin, along with detail in lace in black and white required me to become one of the best darkroom printers in the city.
I built and lit sets, from a 747 filled with people to a “bathroom on the moon” complete with running water. I shot product photography with a view camera.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and his fellow bodybuilders were another main accounts. I’d light those muscles so they glistened when flexed. The Hasselblad was the camera of choice for all work to be published in Weider magazines. I choked on the fog juice as I operated the smoke for Michael Jackson’s Thriller album cover.
Light and its subtle nuances have always intrigued me. It is what MAKES a great photo. Every day presents new opportunities to make interesting photos. As technology keeps evolving, so has my learning curve. I love finding new ways to make my camera tell a story. I plan on shooting great images for as long as I can hold a camera, and I hope that appreciation for great photography continues to be a valuable commodity.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am ALWAYS LEARNING. Technology has forced me to constantly up my game. I translate 25 years of film experience into digital knowledge EVERY SINGLE DAY. I still believe that Photoshop should be used to enhance an already great photo, NOT to make a mediocre photo better.
BarbLevantPhoto – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am most proud that my clients are REPEAT clients. They know that I will do anything to get the shot. They know that I respect the fact that the photo is the end result of planning and coordinating. Portraiture, especially challenging portraiture, corporate portraiture as well as event and fine art photography is what I’m known for, but most people in Chicago know that if they have a vision… I can help them achieve it… and then some.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Every day when my client spends their hard earned money and emails me back with a thank you, great work.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2650 W. Belden Ave. 100
Chicago, IL 60647 - Website: BarbLevantPhoto
- Phone: 7733952002
- Email: barb@barblevantphoto.com
- Instagram: BarbLevantPhoto
- Facebook: BarbLevantPhoto
- Twitter: BarbLevantPhoto
- Yelp: BarbLevantPhoto
- Other: BarbLevantPhoto
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