Larry F. Levenson

2011-10-05T17:52:00.000-05:00

Architecture and shapes and relative arrangements of items enliven me. When photographing people, I surmise I am searching for a way to make them into a fine-art photograph using geometry.

Barry Corbin

2009-10-14T10:56:00.006-05:00

Barry Corbin has played major roles in more than 100 movies and television programs.

I made this photograph of Mr. Corbin for a movie in which he was perfectly cast. He played a cowboy-type, and spent much of the time on a horse. I can tell you, that is the real Barry Corbin.

All rights reserved. Copyright Larry F. Levenson

Dan Rather

2009-10-13T21:41:00.004-05:00

This admired and respected CBS News anchor was a genuinely nice person. I am happy to write that almost all celebrities I have worked with have been like this.

His contract called for a limit on the number of photographs I could take. I exceeded that ceiling because it was a fun project and I lost track, however he never said a word. Hopefully, you won't say a word to anyone either.

Porsche On Pointe

2009-10-13T14:38:00.005-05:00

Deanna Doyle and Juan Pablo Trujillo, talented members of the Kansas City Ballet, performing at their very best.

The vehicle represented in the logo performs pretty well, too. This will be used in an automotive trade journal.

Set courtesy of Aristocrat Motors.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2009, Larry F. Levenson

The View From Above

2009-10-13T13:55:00.010-05:00

It is always fun figuring out how I am going to make an exemplary, illustrative photograph for my client. This time it was with a 40-foot "cherry picker".
All rights reserved. Copyright 2009.

You Can Rent Anything

2009-04-25T17:50:00.006-05:00

For those who need to exercise on a regular basis while traveling, here is an idea one celebrity came up with. He rented a tractor/trailer outfitted with hundreds of pounds of weights and a treadmill, then hired a driver to follow him around the country on his performance tour.

This particular celebrity was exactly as he is on television and in the movies - funny, and very nice.
All rights reserved. Copyright 2009 Larry F. Levenson

"From The Bottom" Debuts On PBS

2009-04-13T18:58:00.009-05:00

Public Television Station, KPTS added my movie, From The Bottom, to their programming schedule for the month of May.

I am honored they hold the documentary in such high regard, however I am especially pleased because the profound story will enlighten and inspire viewers of all ages. Even close friends of Senator Gooch are unaware of the struggles he has endured and the obstacles he has overcome; they know mostly of his triumphs.

Documentary Available on Amazon.com

2009-04-05T12:09:00.017-05:00

The documentary I produced and directed entitled, From The Bottom, may now be purchased at Amazon.com.

On the left margin of this page under LINKS, please locate the link for Amazon.com where you will find a description of the movie and production photographs.

I was honored to have the movie screened opening night at the highly-acclaimed Myrtle Beach International Film Festival. There were so many questions for Senator Gooch following the screening, organizers had to extend the alloted time.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2007 Larry F. Levenson

Wedding Photograph

2009-04-05T10:58:00.008-05:00

I shoot just enough wedding stills each year that I both enjoy and look forward to them.

The light coming in the overhead windows and the light from my flash are daylight-balanced. The light behind the couple is tungsten-balanced, it falls on the warm-toned wood of the wall and complements her dress beautifully.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2007, Larry F. Levenson

Bank Commercial

2009-04-05T10:41:00.011-05:00

In addition to being a Stills Photographer, I shoot and light commercials and movies. Doing the videography and lighting for this bank commercial was fun because the client, the advertising agency, and talent were so wonderful.

Our union actress, she is a member of The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, was outstanding.

This is my lighting. See the highlights on the sofa seats? It would not be as pleasing without those small additions. I also did sound for the project.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2008, Larry F. Levenson

I Love My Pregnant Clients

2009-04-05T10:07:00.008-05:00

Capturing the feminine beauty of a woman in this wonderful time of her life is a most rewarding mission.

This lovely lady from the eastern portion of the Soviet Union surprised me with a treasured gift: a leather doctor's bag from the early 1900's. Yes, that puts it right about the time of the Russian Revolution, 1917.

All rights reserved. Copyright Larry F. Levenson

One of My Favorite Models

2009-04-05T09:55:00.009-05:00

This has always been one of my favorite People photographs. Her dress and hair were blowing in the stout wind, and I asked her to feel the wind and lean her body into it a bit.

She was perilously perched on a narrow ledge, high above the city.

All rights reserved. Copyright Larry F. Levenson

Photographing First Downs for Down Syndrome Auction

2009-04-05T09:37:00.007-05:00

First Downs for Down Syndrome is in partnership with the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line. It's mission is to raise money for Down syndrome organizations and raise awareness. It was my pleasure to photograph their hugely successful Private Cellar Wine Tasting and Auction Benefit on the 24th-floor of Shook, Hardy & Bacon Law Offices.

Shown here are Coach Dick Vermeil, Wide Receiver Eddie Kennison, and Assistant Coach Billy Long.

Yes, those are Super Bowl rings on Coach Vermeil and Coach Long.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2009 Larry F. Levenson

The 2009 Kansas City Ballet Ball

2009-04-05T09:13:00.012-05:00

Photographing this event is always a highlight for me. The ballroom of the Intercontinental Hotel on the Country Club Plaza was the location, and it was grandly decorated.

In this photograph is Ms. Lauren LaPointe, Ball Chairperson, and Mr. James Jordan, Ballet Master for the Kansas City Ballet.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2009 Larry F. Levenson

Wichita State University Hosts Screening

2008-03-05T15:10:00.009-06:00

The gentleman described in my documentary, Senator U. L. Gooch, built a successful aviation business in Wichita, Ks. "Rip" was also on the city council, a member of the airport authority and for over a decade represented these fine citizens in the Kansas Senate. He's an admired and sought-after fellow there.

Wichita State University graciously hosted a screening of the documentary. Dr. John, and Patsy, his administrative assistant, went all the way with this one. I must also thank Bonita, who was invaluable in making this event come to pass.

The day before the screening, a press conference was scheduled; Rip and I eagerly attended. Early the next morning, The Wichita Eagle newspaper arrived with a lengthy, well-written article about us and the movie.

The day of the program, a two-hour reception was held where I soon discovered the numbers and diversity of people who know Rip, and how much they appreciate him. Donald L. Beggs, President of the University, kindly welcomed everyone. Peter Jasso, who heads the Kansas Film Commission in Topeka, was there supporting us. Soon, it was off to the colossal Lowe Auditorium for the show where we had a great crowd and an equally great question-and-answer period.

Photographs of the event may be viewed on my Flickr page.

newspaper article courtesy of, The Wichita Eagle

Documentary Screening - Ripley, Tennessee

2008-02-17T19:48:00.025-06:00

The richness of one's life is measured by memories. This week my life became richer thanks to exceptional people who live and work in a very special community.

Ripley, Tennessee is north of Memphis, and is the county seat for Lauderdale County. The courthouse sits on the town square with locally-owned businesses surrounding it; quite fitting for the bucolic setting.

The subject of my documentary, Senator "Rip" Gooch, spent his boyhood years in and around Ripley. Within a very small radius, other children grew up, like B.B. King, Chicken George, Tina Turner and Alex Haley. It was here I shot the "B"-roll for my documentary, and where the movie was screened Friday night.

There is no hospitality like small-town hospitality, and they welcomed me warmly. A large number of townspeople turned out, as well as city and county dignitaries, for an enchanting evening in a small, close-knit southern town.

This is a photograph of a live interview Senator Gooch and I did with the CBS affiliate in Memphis. You may watch the interview by going here, WREG-TV, then clicking on Thursday, February 14. Fast-forward to 00:37:00 for our segment. Still-photographs of the event may be viewed by visiting my Flickr page.

photograph 2008. All rights reserved.

Documentary Completed

2008-02-01T19:02:00.000-06:00

My documentary, From the Bottom, is now complete, and the glass-mastered DVD's are being produced as I write. If you scroll down a couple of posts on this weblog, you can read a synopsis of the story.

During a recent visit to Kansas City, my subject, Senator Gooch, had his first look at the 88-minute rendering. After a bit, we took a break and he turned to me smiling and said, "This is interesting!" "I know", I replied. "It's about you."

copyright 2008, Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

"Trail End"

2007-12-21T19:27:00.000-06:00

The sky is wide and the land almost uniformly level in western Kansas, so one has an unencumbered view of every glorious summer sunset.

I worked as the Stills Photographer on a movie-set in that wonderful prairie near the town of Dighton. Late in the day, our star Barry Corbin (Resume) was preparing for his next scene when I captured this near-silhouette. A few days later, while showing a medley of photographs to Shannan, the Writer and Director, she stopped at this one and exclaimed, "There's our poster!" Apparently, she liked it for the DVD cover as well.

Photograph: Larry F. Levenson

"From The Bottom"

2007-11-29T14:59:00.000-06:00

I am so pleased to have the trailer completed for my documentary. Here is a synopsis of the story:

Ulysses Lee Gooch. His parents were laborers on a large southern farm, and it was the farmstead owner's family who named him. The word Ulysses was not only hard to pronounce, it was misspelled on his eighth-grade graduation certificate. Being from Ripley, Tennessee, he welcomed a nickname later in life: Rip.

Early on, his father jailed, Rip and his mother lived with a relative in an area referred to as "the bottom". It was low, flat land touching the Mississippi River where cotton grew and houses were built on stilts. At age four, his mother passed away. "Not only was I living in the land referred to as 'the bottom', but I was in the bottom of my life."

Rip was a dreamer who would look into the sky from the dusty crop fields and see airplanes. He wanted to be up there and he wanted more for himself.

This insightful documentary is about struggle and triumph. It is about a youngster who realized the importance of hard work and essential education, growing to become an airplane pilot and Senator. Many who know him do not know this profound accounting of his life.

The feature-length version is now available for bookings, and is for viewers of all ages.

To view the three-minute trailer, click here: From The Bottom.

Copyright 2007, Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Inked

2007-11-17T19:39:00.000-06:00

My client Leonard moved to Hollywood and started a clothing company. He returned one day with trendy garments and a brace of models primed for promotional photographs.

This colorful lass obliged me by showing off more ink and less threads while Leonard was distracted by his mobile telephone.

Copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

My Garage / Gallery

2007-11-14T08:00:00.000-06:00

For years I entered my fine art photographs into the most desirable juried art shows in the nation. When I gave up the shows, framed pieces remained that did not deserve to sit unappreciated in my basement. So, I turned my mid-1920's detached garage into a gallery and hung them.

The lighting is daylight-balanced lamps in Chinese paper globes.

For a list of art expositions and awards, click here: Curricula Vitae.

Copyright 2007, Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Missouri Western State University Commercial

2007-11-13T11:25:00.001-06:00

In June of 2006, I was Director of Photography for a commercial directed by Tara, who is based in Los Angeles . The client was Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Recently, the university asked for a bit of new footage, so I called my friend Andy for assistance and off we went.

Our first location was the Heartland Regional Medical Center where I made practical and effective use of these nursing students with their teacher. The "patient" is one of my crew.

Andy also excels at editing, so he was my first choice to be editor.

To view the :30 commercial, click here: MWSU Commercial.

Copyright 2007, Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Editing "From The Bottom"

2007-11-12T14:25:00.000-06:00

A documentary on which I am Producer and Director is entitled, "From the Bottom". The editor I chose is a very talented woman, Andrea, and we met early this morning to tweak the footage, making sure we were moving the story without losing the story. The subject of the documentary is a gentleman who was orphaned at the age of four. He overcame myriad obstacles to become a successful businessman, airplane pilot and Senator.

"Tulips On Troost" Documentary

2007-11-10T12:59:00.000-06:00

This morning I traveled to the southern part of Kansas City, Missouri to shoot stills and video tape for the Tulips on Troost project. The venture is an ongoing collaboration where 70,000 tulips have been planted along Troost Avenue and the intent is to plant a million.

Today, and last weekend, I was documenting volunteers planting thousands more tulip bulbs that will bloom in 2008. Three locations were involved and I managed to cover all of them.

The weather was beautiful, the subjects helpful and the tape and stills are superb. This photograph was taken at 54th Street and Troost Avenue next to Coffee Break.

I spoke with Rich, the video editor, and we believe this could be an Emmy Award-winning story.

To view the five-minute documentary, click here: Tulips On Troost. This first version shows tulips blooming in the Spring of 2007.

Copyright 2007, Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.