Teaching is Good for the Soul

 

Student at Basilica of the Immaculate Conception 

Why I Teach

Me and my parents, circa a long time ago

Growing up, unknowingly to me, my parents taught me by example.  My dad was an
accountant, he had a passion for classical music, knowledge and had the ability to simplify complex situations into understandable explanations.  My mom just did things, whether it was volunteering, helping a neighbor or helping family.  She would unconditionally take on the task.  They were always helping and sharing their time and resources to help friends, family and

 other people.  They never asked for anything in return. 

In celebrating my 10th year as an adjunct professor at Trinity Washington University, (Also taught at American University and Northern Virginia Community College) I started to reflect on my role at a teacher.  My basic photography class is an elective.  The pay is low, there aren’t any benefits, and there is no job security.

However, the lessons by my parents and other teaching mentors instilled in me was the passion to share my knowledge, to pass it forward.  I have a desire to share my experiences and photography knowledge.  The beauty of learning photography is the skills gained in photography are skills that are transferable to almost every profession.  As a photographer, you learn to be an observer, a storyteller, you interact with people, you learn how to compose and discern what is important, problem solve, you encounter problems and learn how to solve them, you become adaptable,  you learn how to learn, in every task, you enhance your creative thinking, and with utilizing the new technology you gain technical proficiency.    

Thus, all of these characteristics are vital skills needed in the new work environment.  Today’s students need all these proficiencies and more since the job market is constantly changing.  Especially in this job hopping and gig-based economy.

This internal drive is a calling to help others to gain their own experiences like the incredible opportunities I have had. We need to empower our students, provide them with skills and opportunities to face this ever-changing work life.  These are the reasons I teach is to share my passion for photography, to mentor students, help them develop their creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset. 

Ask me anything larrylevin@verizon.net. See my website www.LLLevin.com

More photos: 

Field Trip

In class assignment: portraits

Field Trip, Basilica of the Immaculate Conception 

At the Basilica

A summer high school photo class at American University

Class with guest speaker, Sharon Farmer

Vendor Relationships, the Key to Successful Events. Why I am the Official Photographer for the Consular Corps

 

    Consular Corp Ball at the Austrian Embassy 

The Consular Corps of Washington, DC is a membership-based organization of career consuls and embassy officials in the diplomatic scene in Washington, DC.  This brings a sense of community between all the embassies and other people who work within this group.

Membership Benefits: Professional training, networking with Federal and Local Government officials, share experiences with other diplomatic colleagues, and enjoy fun social events.

As the photographer of the organization, I get to attend all the events held at the various embassies and hotels in Washington, DC.  The networking to meet influential and world-class diplomats is rewarding.  The social events are top-notch and fun.  Most importantly I make friends from around the world.  My photos from their events are seen by many and appear in their social media and website. 

This is a mutual benefit for the organization and me.

•     You receive consistent imagery of their events and people.  
•         Familiarity with the members helps to make natural imagery.
•     .   Regularly scheduled events create certainty on the calendar.
•         Exclusivity of photos. 
•     Loyalty 

I am thankful for the opportunity. 

For your organization, may I suggest you have a regular photographer.  Matter of fact, develop relationships with all your vendors. For these reasons:

1. Familiarity with members and your procedures. 

2. Loyalty is such a wonderful quality for both you and your vendor.

3. Clear communication, someone who understands what you need and when you need it.

4. Flexibility, on so many levels.

5. Enjoy the people you work with. Surround yourself with good people.

Ask me anything LarryLevin@verizon.net.  See my Website www.LLLevin.com

More Photos

Presentation by the Austrian Ambassador 

Professional Training at The Mexican Art & Cultural Center

At the Consular Corp Annual Gala, Austrian Embassy 

Happy Hour at the Churchill Hotel 

Networking at the Canadian Embassy 

Professional Training with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Romanian Embassy  

Use your skills to give back: working for a charity

 

Opening Ceremony for the Best Buddies Leadership Conference, the theme,"Wickedly Inclusive"

Covering the big event for your charity.

One inspirational conference where over 2500 people come together to learn and celebrate inclusion for people with Intellectual Disabilities.  Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities.

Students from the United States and around the world descend upon Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.  They are leaders in their school chapters who come to learn how to support and grow the mission.   

At one time I was the only photographer covering this conference.  Now we have two additional photographers and a team of videographers delivering content to social media. It takes a coordinated effort to cover the various activities and personalities.  There are workshops, speakers, training, activities, celebrations and motivational entertainment.

I continue my 34 years photographing events for Best Buddies because of the Buddies.  

Find a charity that you care about

1.        Your talents are needed and what you do helps the charity’s mission.

2.        Not only do you build your skills, but you also expand your network.

3.        You are making a difference

Ask me anything, larrylevin@verizon.net  See my website. www.LLLevin.com

More Photos

Best Buddies Founder Anthony Shriver with Kid Autistic

Recognition of fund raising

Job Training

Speech Training

Talking to parents

Bonding

Capturing Award Presentations: What You Need to Know

 

Best Buddies Leadership Conference, photographed 60 groups in less than 90 minutes.

Capturing an award presentation or the delivery of a check moment is the basic hero shot an event photographer makes.  These shots are vital for the organization, the recipient of the award or the person or group making the large donation.  These are set up situations, this photo needs to be perfect.

These moments can happen at a live event, where the audience is watching or they can be done after the show.  During a live event, time is of the essence.  Here are the top tips in getting a wonderful shot.

1.        Be prepared, know the staging of the presentation.  Put a piece of tape on the stage for where the group should stand.

2.        This “position” provides the best composition.  Include all the branding elements if there is signage or other elements that should be in the frame.  (Or elements that should not be in the frame.)

3.        MOST IMPORTANT, make sure the award or check or whatever the group is holding, is held at an angle to the camera.  We don’t want to have the award bouncing light back in the camera.  If there is a highlight on the award, nothing can be done to correct it.

4.        Take multiple shots, nothing is worse than when someone’s eyes are closed. Also, slightly change the angle for each shot.  That change might make the difference to improve the shot.

5.        Timing is everything.  If it’s a live show, be quick.  People hate to wait.

6.        All of the staging is discussed beforehand with the MC/award presenter.  They are your friend in getting this shot done efficiently.

7.        Be ready and capture the hero shot and any other moment you can.

Doing award presentation is a lasting memory for the recipient as well as for instant social media play for the organization. Technical skills, preparation, timing and awareness of the situation are important factors for the photographer.

Ask me anything larrylevin@verizon.net View my website www.LLLevin.com

Photography for the Best Buddies Leadership Conference

Friendship Walks are an integral part of each chapter's activities 

One inspirational conference where over 2500 people come together to learn and celebrate inclusion for people with Intellectual Disabilities.  Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities.

Students from the United States and around the world descend upon Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.  They are leaders in their school chapters who come to learn how to support and grow the mission.   

At one time I was the only photographer covering this conference.  Now we have two additional photographers and a team of videographers delivering content to social media. It takes a coordinated effort to cover the various activities and personalities.  

There are workshops, speakers, training, activities, celebrations and motivational entertainment.  I continue my 34 years photographing events for Best Buddies because of the Buddies.  

Ask me anything, larrylevin@verizon.net  See my website. www.LLLevin.com

More Photos:

State Ambassador

International Students

Job Training

Global Ambassadors 

Tanner Smith from (Love on the Spectrum) and his mother Nicci Smith

Miss America 2025 Abbie Stockard and her Buddy Grace Davis

Rice Stephens and Echo Picone sing from the Broadway Show Wicked.  This year's conference theme was "Wickedly Inclusive"

Branding Your Event with a Step & Repeat. Good Strategy

 

Stand & Repeat Background at a Holiday Party

Branding your Event

Your “brand” is a combination of many elements that help to achieve a positive response in people’s perception.  In photographing an event, it is great to have recognizable elements in the frame that identify your event and your organization.  Your logo, tag line, the typography you use are key components in your symbols that help to instill your brand.  

One of the better forms of branding is a step and repeat.  This banner with your message can be used behind speakers, or on the red carpet or as a backdrop.  Key features of a good step and repeat are:

1.        Non reflective, usually a matte surface so shiny spots don’t reflect into the camera.

2.        Wide enough so that when shot from different angles, the banner fits within the composition.  And it should be high enough to fit the tallest people.

3.        Simple design, subtle, not to overpower the person or people in front of it.  

4.        Keep colors muted but consistent with your company’s color scheme

5.        Make sure it is durable; you will be using this for many events.  As well as, it should be easy to assemble and pack up when finished. 

One of the best Stand and Repeat was from a company called Revolution.  Check out their website www.eventrevolution.com  (fyi I get no fee for this endorsement!) 

Best Buddies, simple design, with Logo and Typography.

Correction Leaders Association, Strong branding, muted color that enhances the speaker.

Ask me anything larrylevin@verizon.net.  See my website  www.LLLevin.com