World Series Trophy

Victory at the Super Bowl, the World Series and every major championship is commemorated by the presentation of custom-designed trophies from Tiffany & Co.
 
This is the 2012 Commissioner’s Trophy, which many people know as the World Series Trophy.  It is awarded annually to the winners of Major League Baseball’s World Series, and presented by the Commissioner of Baseball. It has been awarded 44 times since 1967, and like the Vince Lombardi Trophy, Tiffany makes a new one each year as the winners keep the one they are awarded.

This is the first time I have seen a championship trophy, and it was stunning in silver and 24k gold. 

Photograph copyright 2012 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

National Guard

This focused soldier is part of the four-person Color Guard of the Kansas National Guard with whom I recently worked. 

They keep us safe. Thank you.

Photograph copyright 2012 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Greg Brenneman, Turnaround Authority

Greg Brenneman holds an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School, and has a reputation as the man who can turn troubled corporations around. 

When he joined Continental Airlines as President, the company was plummeting toward its third bankruptcy in a decade. During his tenure, Continental's stock price rose from $6.25 to $120.00 per share (pre split). 

In 2004, Mr. Brenneman accepted the position as Chairman and CEO of Burger King Corporation, and most recently, Brenneman has served as president and CEO of Quiznos Subs. Brenneman also serves on the board of directors of The Home Depot, Inc. and Automatic Data Processing. 

He is an Emmy Award winner, book author, founder of Turnworks, Inc, and has been published in the Harvard Business Review, and profiled often in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Fortune magazine, and Chief Executive magazine.

Photograph copyright 2012 Larry F. Levenson. 

All rights reserved.

Kimberly Cowen

Accomplished ballerina Kimberly Cowen makes her grand final bow with Kansas City Ballet. 

Kimberly had a momentous 20-year history of dance with the company.

Photograph copyright 2012 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Michael Stern

Michael Stern is Music Director and Lead Conductor of The Kansas City Symphony. 

As a young conductor, he debuted at the New York Philharmonic, invited by Leonard Bernstein to participate in a conducting workshop. 

Stern later became the permanent Guest Conductor of the Orchestre National de Lyon in Lyon, France. While in France, he appeared with orchestras in Paris, Bordeaux, Lille, and Toulouse, as well as others throughout Europe.
 

 Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Lee Daniel

Lee Daniel is an award-winning movie and documentary cinematographer.

His projects include Slacker, Dazed and Confused, Fast Food Nation, and the documentary, A Mother's Promise: The Barack Obama Biography. 

Lee worked on many movies with Director Richard Linklater, and the two of them founded the Austin Film Society.
  
Just as Alfred Hitchcock made very quick, subtle trademark appearances in his movies, Lee's trademark is "709" and it can be seen in many of the films on which he has worked.

Photograph copyright 2012 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Robert Rosen

Robert Rosen is the former Dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, and it was he and Martin Scorsese who organized The Film Foundation. 

Mr. Rosen was the film critic for KCRW National Public Radio, awarded the John Huston Award and decorated by the French Government as an Officer of Arts and Letters.

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Allan R, Mulally

Allan R. Mulally holds advanced degrees in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. 

Mr. Mulally served as CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, then took over Ford Motor Company in 2006 as President and CEO. 

He was included in the 2009 Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People, and named the 2011 CEO of the Year by Chief Executive magazine.

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

 

Maury Yeston

Broadway loves music composer and lyricist Maury Yeston. 

Yeston won Tony and Drama Desk Awards, and has been nominated for Grammy's and Golden Globe Awards. 

His work includes Nine, Titanic, and Grand Hotel. 

Click on his name, above, and enjoy his engaging music.

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Jacques d'Amboise: Dancer, Choreographer, Educator

Jacques d'Amboise is recognized as one of the most superb dancers of our time. 

At age 17, Jacques was made principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, where distinguished choreographer George Balanchine created ballets expressly for him.

Marks of recognition include Kennedy Center Honors, MacArthur Fellowship, and James Keller Award. 

Photograph copyright 2012 Larry F. Levenson. 

All rights reserved.

Update: Jacques passed May 2, 2021.

Dr. Regina M. Benjamin - Surgeon General

Dr. Regina M. Benjamin is the Surgeon General of the United States. 

She relinquished her private practice as a Family Practice physician to assume the position, and now counts 300-million Americans as her patient population for which to care.

 Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Michael Murphy

Michael Murphy has 102 credits on his resume, including Law and Order, Judging Amy, LA Law, and M*A*S*H. 

His career began when director Robert Altman cast him in the highly-rated television show, Combat! in 1962.

Photograph 2011 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Dr. Charles Wheeler

Upon finishing medical school, Dr. Charles Wheeler made the decision to acquire a law degree. So, while completing a Pathology residency during the day, he attended law school at night. 

Dr. Wheeler was Mayor of Kansas City, Mo., for two terms in the 1970's, followed by Missouri State Senator. 

What's next? He wants to run for Mayor again. 

 Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Learning to Read

I made new photographs, and new friends, at Literacy Kansas City, an organization that teaches adults to read. 

My delightful subjects were filled with gratitude because they now can read a bus schedule and a newspaper, and write a letter.

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

L.Q. Jones

Martin Scorsese, Sam Peckinpah and Robert Altman have directed L.Q. Jones in movies and television. 

L.Q. allows me to direct him as he poses for my camera.

Photograph copyright 2010 Larry F. Levenson. 

All rights reserved.

Dick Vermeil

   Dick Vermeil, former Kansas City Chiefs coach, returned to Napa Valley where he was raised, to grow outstanding grapes and produce fine wine at Vermeil Wines. 

   He succeeded at both.

   Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. 

   All rights reserved.

   - Update, February 11, 2022: 

   Dick will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame!

Medical Research Poster

This image was created at a prestigious teaching hospital. It is being used for a research poster, the subject of which is non-epileptic seizures.

 Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Willie Wilson

Lead-off hitter Willie Wilson helped the Kansas City Royals baseball team win the World Series in 1985. 

He's looking first-class 25 years later.

 Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Both my lovely subject, and the image, have gracious, timeless allure. 

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Photographing social and business events is one of my specialties. This image illustrates the elegance of a first-class soirée.

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

E. Frank Ellis

E. Frank Ellis is Founder, Chairman and CEO of Swope Health Services. 

He is also Chair of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. 

Frank received national recognition for addressing health issues of the indigent and working poor, and aided investments in some of Kansas City’s most blighted and depressed neighborhoods. 

I have been fortunate to have photographed him many times, and he continually inspires me.

Photograph © 2011 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Ballet Dancers

I like being close to the action. 

These are dancers of Kansas City Ballet, and I was so close with my wide-angle lens, they lightly brushed against me as they entered.

Photograph © 2012 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Angela Hagenbach

The remarkable, exceptional Angela Hagenbach.

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

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.

copyright 2011 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Barry Corbin

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 played a cowboy, and spent much of the time riding a horse.  That is the real Barry Corbin.

All rights reserved.  Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson

Dan Rather

Dan Rather was the first television journalist to report the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

He covered the Watergate investigation, the impeachment of President Nixon, then went on to anchor CBS Evening News for 24 years.

Mr. Rather has been honored with numerous Peabody awards, Emmy awards, and honorary degrees from universities. 

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

Photograph copyright 2009 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Porsche On Pointe

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

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.

Celebrity Fitness on the Road

For those who need to exercise on a regular basis while traveling, here is an idea Larry the Cable Guy 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.

Larry was exactly as he is on television and in the movies - funny, and very nice.

Photograph © 2009 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

"From The Bottom" Debuts On PBS

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. 

Photograph Copyright 2007 Larry F. Levenson. All Rights Reserved.

"From the Bottom" Available on Amazon.com

The documentary I produced and directed titled, 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.

 Photograph © 2007 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Wedding Photograph

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

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

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

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

Kansas City Chiefs Coaches and Wide Receiver

   Kansas City Chiefs Coach Dick Vermeil, Wide Receiver Eddie Kennison, and Assistant Coach Billy Long.

   Notice the Super Bowl rings on Coach Vermeil and Coach Long.

   Photograph copyright 2009 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

The 2009 Kansas City Ballet Ball

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 of, "From the Bottom"

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

"From the Bottom" Screening - Ripley, Tennessee

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 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Documentary, "From the Bottom", Completed

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 blog, 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."

Photograph and written content © 2008 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

"Trail End"

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" Synopsis

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.

Photograph and written content © 2007 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Inked

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

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

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 My Documentary, "From The Bottom"

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

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.