Meet Fran, Best Buddies Ambassador & TV Spokesperson

 

Fran Sheinberg, Best Buddies Global Ambassador

The accolades and the opportunities are piling up for Fran Sheinberg. At the Best Buddies Leadership Conference in July, she was honored as the Best Buddies Jobs Employee of the Year. Her work at the Promise Child Development Center in Texas was cited for her commitment, passion and work ethic that has made an indelible impression with her community.

On stage receiving her award with AWE Wrestler Paul Wight, and Best Buddies Founder Anthony k. Shriver

Fran is on the autism spectrum. She stated, when she was young, doctors and teachers told her parents, she was "different, slow and delayed." With little outside encouragement, Fran was determined to prove everyone wrong. Although, she had difficulty communicating with people, Fran found an outlet. She started to write and perform raps. With this new ability to express herself, she found a way to share her feelings and put a smile on people's faces. Her stage name is Flava Fran.

Performing one of her Raps on stage at the Indiana University Auditorium.

This October Jersey Mike's Sub Franchise System has joined Best Buddies to allow customer's to "round-up" their check to donate to Best Buddies. The Jersey Mike's TV commercial features Fran! Click on the link:  Fran's Jersey Mike's Commercial

Fran with Joey Shriver and Anthony Shriver

As a photographer, I get to meet the most incredible and inspiring people. Nearly 30 years of documenting the activities and mission of one of the most magnificent organizations that makes a different in helping people achieve their full potential. Best Buddies please help them by volunteering and donating. www.BestBuddies.org

Copyright 2023 Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved. No publishing or usage granted without permission.

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Rated #1  DC Event Photographer by Peerspace

Tom Brady and Best Buddies Football Game

Tom Brady entering the field at Harvard Stadium

May 31--Harvard Stadium Boston MA--For the twentieth year,  Tom Brady has played football with Best Buddies.  Brady is the quarterback for both teams which includes Brady's Patriot teammates past and present, celebrities, supporters and Best Buddies participants.  For the same amount of years, I have photographed this game.  I try to do something different each year.  One year I went on the field and photographed the huddles, other years game action, this year the concentration was on groups.  In the planning meeting, it was decided for me to just get certain people on the sidelines.  Posed photos yes, these are the photos everyone wants.  The task is to coordinate this before, during and after a football game in a pretty big stadium. Each situation takes time to arrange.  There is the effort to get everyone with nice expressions, eyes open and enthusiastic.  Sometimes you get lucky,  however there is a lot a cajoling and even making the Massachusetts governor to take a knee to photograph him and two Buddies.

Actor Michael Chiklis with Buddy Players 

Buddy Global Ambassador Josh Felder with Miss USA Cheslie Kryst. 

Tom with his Buddy Katie Meade

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker

Tom Brady and Anthony Shriver with a Buddy Family. 

The Buddy Ambassador with Miss USA and other super heroes.

Copyright 2019 Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved. No publishing or usage granted without permission.

Instagram @larrylevin

LinkedIN Laurence L. Levin 

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Rated #1 2019 DC Event Photographer by Peerspace

Best Buddies New Ambassadors

Danielle, Jamel, Morgan, Andrew
Jared, Kate, T., Peyton
Shelby, Clay, Michael, Samantha 

July 20-23--Bloomington, IN--24 portraits, 24 individuals, each person photographed within 5 minutes each.  Expressive, determined, confident but most importantly outgoing & friendly.  

During the Best Buddies Leadership Conference, 24 young Best Buddies Ambassadors were taught presentations skills to enhance their abilities to share their stories.  Each one has their unique tale of how life was before their involvement with Best Buddies.  Their pasts are heart wrenching, however their exposure with this organization as you will hear was life changing.  Learning how to cope and gaining social skills and more importantly friendships and independence has helped each one to become a better person.  Hopefully one day you will hear their powerful message.  

Daniel, Olyvia, Cassie
Nate, Matthew, Jack
Yulia, Carinna, Mason
Jace, Akshdeep, Zoe

Photographs Copyright 2018 Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved.  No usage without written permission.

www.LLLevin.com

Instagram @LarryLevin 

Photographs made with a Nikon D850 and Nikkor 24-120 f/4 VR, and Nikon SB-5000 speed light  on location: the campus of Indiana University, Kelley School of Business 

Best Buddies Leadership Conference

Keeping 2000 people at the ready until the photo is made.
The Friendship Walk photo, scouted the best ladder placement to get what is needed.  

July 19-22--Bloomington, IN--Covering the same event for over ten years can be monotonous, however it is a challenge.  The basic structure is nearly the same each year, the participants change, the venue remains the same so the goal is to find something new, and improve upon the past successful images.  That is what keeps photography fresh, the creative challenge to do something new, different and hopefully interesting for the client as well as for one's creative & competitive nature.

The Best Buddies Leadership Conference brings over 2200 student leaders from all across the United States and 40 nations.  They spend three days learning how to create opportunities for Best Buddies participants.  There are classroom activities, inspirational speakers, group exercises, and entertainment.  This is the most inspiring and emotionally driven event one will ever attend.  The effect this organization has made in the lives of its participants is amazing.  See the website and hear the testimonials.  Enhancing the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  However everyone who participates, their life is enhanced!

The images are about showing faces and friendship.  Hopefully it all comes across in the 3300+ images made during the three days.  These images are just a few of the favorites.  Which is your favorite image?

At the start of opening ceremonies shot from the balcony.  

Convening at the sign for a state group photograph, the moving in for that emotional closeup. 

Award shots are a large component of the images needed.  Whether it is on stage or on a step and repeat, quickness and composing the elements is vital.  Best Buddies Jobs employee David Asbury receiving his award. 

Rebecca Black on stage with Buddy Ambassadors 

Christopher Gray shared his story and business that was featured on Shark Tank. 

Buddy Pair Michael and Harrison

Anthony Shriver with Buddy Ambassador Jack Marren

Clowning around with Peyton Meares

Buddy Ambassador Jamel Wills and his buddy 

Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies Anthony K. Shriver
The photos made from backstage are favorites.  

Photography Copyright 2018 Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved.  No usage without written permission.

www.LLLevin.com

Instagram @larrylevin

All photos made with a Nikon D850 and 70-200mm f/2.8 VR Nikkor, 24-120 f/4 Nikkor and SB-5000 Speedlight.  This combination provides me with the versatility to handle all types of situations, from low light meeting rooms, stage shots with spotlights, indoor classrooms, to group shots outside.  With the ability to change ISO to match the light conditions.  The high ISO barely can you see the noise.  Incredible resolution and white balance, fortunate to have this high end equipment.

2016 Hyannis Port Challenge

Buddies Ambassadors at the Harvard Stadium, (homage photo Phillipe Halsman who did a "jump" series), Tori, Kellie, DQ, Katie, Sam, Christina, , Rachel, Ashley

Game Time with Tom Brady

Michael Chiklis selfie with Tom Brady & Julian Edelman in the locker room before the big game.  

Covering The Best Buddies Hyannis Port Challenge for 15 out of the 17 times, is challenging.  Each year, the basic elements are similar.  Trying to find an image that is new and fresh can be,  to say the least, perplexing.  Weeks prior to the event, discussions are underway to brain storm ideas and concepts.  There are phone calls, shot list preparations, and just a lot of thinking to figure how to make this year's event memorable.  Fortunately, there is a wonderful team of staff and volunteer photographers who can concentrate on the must have shots.

This year the plan was for me to shoot less, which meant not having to cover everything, because it would be well documented.  Thus the goal was to find five specific situations, as well as not be shoulder to shoulder with the others.  Additionally, in the "staged" situations find angles that were different and true moments.

It's great to be part of a team of devoted and talented Best Buddies staff and photographers.

Katie Meade with her buddy Tom Brady.(shot from the side of the stage, lucky to get this situation)

A wonderful moment on stage with Chef Guy Fieri with his buddy Michael Jaxtimer Barry.  

At the last second, jumped into the lead car and made this photo at the beginning of the ride. 

After his presentation at lunch Buddies Ambassador Sam Piazza is congratulated by Tom Brady 

Best Buddies Performer Tori Ackley on stage with the Beach Boys.  In addition to this performance, Tori sang the National Anthem at the start of the Football game and 50 mile start

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Copyright 2016 Laurence L. Levin