Awarded A Top 25 Storyteller of Events: Laurence L. Levin Photography

World Photography Day: A Toast to the Top 25 Storytellers of Events  presented by InEvents.  Posted on August 19, 2025 

Every event has its music, its speeches, its drama, and its magical moments… but if there isn’t a photographer there to capture these moments, did it even really happen? Thankful I was chosen as InEvent World Photography Day 2025 as a Top 25 Storyteller of Events 

Here is what they said: 

Larry is the kind of photographer who has a knack for preserving legacies. With nearly 40 years behind the lens, this Washington D.C. native has documented everything from Capitol Hill moments and nonprofit galas to weddings, conferences, and leadership panels. He’s been called the #1 DC event photographer by Peerspace. 

But beyond event coverage, Larry is also an educator (Trinity Washington, American U., NOVA), a mentor to rising photojournalists, and a DC Notary Public. He’s the official documentarian for Best Buddies International, a Special Olympics basketball ref, and just casually helped change actual legislation around notary law in DC. So yes, he’s making the world better one frame and one form at a time. 

With Larry, a photographer is only a tiny pa
rt of what you get. You get a partner, a pro, and the kind of energy that makes your whole team feel comfortable. If you want someone who can handle your high-profile event, teach your students, notarize your forms, and still remember everyone’s name by dessert, Larry’s your guy.

Here is the post  https://inevent.com/blog/events/world-photography-day-top-25-event-storytellers.html#19_Laurence_L_“Larry”_Levin

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

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

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

Practicing Photo Techniques: Exploring the Other Washington with a Camera

 

Bubbles on the Washington Coast, Seaside Beach, WA, enhanced with Lightroom. 

All Photos (c)Laurence L. Levin

Washington State July 2023—Exploring the other Washington, experimenting with photography, and traveling with friends who know what to do in the great Northwest.  Traveling provides new opportunities to witness, to document, to experience new things, and experiment and learn the features on a new camera.

Seattle Space Needle and the Sonic Bloom Sculptures. The five steel, glass, and solar powered sculptures are located in Seattle's Pacific Science Center.

On this trip used the new Nikon Z8.  Many great features, and buttons to learn to use.  The basic tenants of photography remain the same, knowing composition, how to use the metering system for right exposure, and when to snap the shutter to capture moments.  The camera technologies allow one to concentrate on these basics.  The updated version of Lightroom provides artificial intelligence to enhance specific areas of the photo. 

Downtown Seattle from the Bainbridge Ferry. Waited for the boat to dock. Enhanced with Lightroom.

So, if all this technology allows anyone to take photos, why would you hire a photographer to cover your event?  When you engage an experienced professional, you get:

·      Someone who has the high-end equipment that can get the job correctly done.

·      Ability to cover a wide range of situations that gives you a choice of images.

·      Consistently produce storytelling images of moments that matter throughout your event.

·      Know how to work with people, treat everyone like a VIP, and be a good representative of you and your organization.

·      Editing, adjusting, and enhancing your images properly. 

·      Maintain a high level of quality and professionalism under pressure.

Find a photographer who enjoys what they do and would be a good member of your team!

Composition matters. The new Rainier Square office and apartment building. A recent Opal Award winner because of its innovative construction technique. Speedcore is a construction method that cuts construction time in half, saving millions of $$$.

Photographing people is a collaborative process. For the subject, knowing how to pose is just as important as the photographer's ability to compose for the moment. My longtime friend Nancy at the beach.

It's always about the moment. Capture those precious times. Friends Nancy, Mark and Bart.

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

Pairs of People, book by Jeanne & Mark Shriver

 https://amzn.to/3T6XFml

My friends Jeanne and Mark Shriver, collaborated on an incredibly meaningful children’s book titled, Pairs of People.  An interactive book that teaches the power of working together to make things better in one’s community.  This vibrant book incorporates math in a fun way to show how adding can multiply the effort when people work together.
As you read this book with your kids, the lessons of friendship, leadership and camaraderie and simple multiplication are strategically placed throughout.  It’s fun way to show all the children in your life the importance of getting out, engaging in activities with others and doing good things. Pairs of People makes a wonderful holiday gift. Use this link to buy the book.

See the interview on the Today Show and they used my photos. 

#Ad I am a #amazonaffiliate 

Survived and Thrived

Twenty two acres around, the Washington Monument commemorating Covid deaths in the US, by artist Suzanne Brennen Firstenberg, September 2021 

As an event photographer, these last couple years challenged the spirits as well as dealing with the cancellation of in person activities.  The main source of my business came to a complete halt.  This provided opportunities to learn new things, reconnect with colleagues and clients, and go through my archives.   

New prospects for work, incorporating enhanced skills and a better understanding of social media has made me excited about the upcoming events with my clients.  During this unprecedented time, was able to do portraits, photographed a wedding, provided photography for a dentist’s office that will be used for his social media, and did some nature photography along the C&O canal.  Just to name a few things.  

 

Ever so grateful for everyone’s support, encouragement, all the zoom meetings and learning videos viewed. Good things are coming, events are coming back, and looking forward to helping my clients to document and brand their events.

Social Media shoot for Gigi-Montrose motorcycle fashions

Mark & Gia-Ninh Wedding

 

Dr. Phillips for Social Media

Copyright 2022 Laurence L. Levin All Rights Reserved.  No reproductions rights granted without permission

www.LLLevin.com

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email: larrylevin @larrymail.net

5 important Tips on Writing your Grant Proposal

 

This year I was part of a group of grant reviewers for the Humanities Council of Washington, DC (HumanitiesDC) and for the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities.  We were the first stage of reading, commenting, and rating the applicants for funding. An interesting process that allows for an unbiased and fair attempt to make recommendations on worthwhile non-profit organizations’ projects.  There are many grant opportunities for artists and organizations based in Washington, DC through these two organizations.  Each grant has a volunteer review committee that gives recommendations to the next panel for funding.  

 

As each reviewer reads each grant, they add comments and rating to a scorecard.  Previously, we would meet in person, but this year the group of reviewers met via an online meeting to discuss and compare notes.  It is great to hear other’s comments and reactions.  Most often we agreed to our ratings.  The power of group ‘think’ if something was missed and a rating would be changed.  It is wonderful to hear the reasoning from the talented and knowledgeable group assembled for this vital task.  

 

From this experience of reading grants this year and previously, here are some thoughts when you are preparing your grant proposal.

 

1.     Clear, concise, and cohesive writing is essential.  Is your objective and all your writing easily understood? Keep sentences to one thought.  (A thirty-word sentence is often hard to comprehend.)  In each paragraph, state your premise and give supporting information.  Simplify but give details.

 

2.     Provide a comprehensive plan and implementation of project/program(s).  Nice to have a mission statement but as important how that project or program operates.  If you don’t have a history, explain the history of items that you have completed.  This helps to prove that you are capable and deserving of the grant.  

 

3.     Get letters of recommendations, but as important, get testimonials from participants.  Success stories help to prove your project/program works and has a positive effect on the community you serve.  

 

4.     Provide biography of not only of yourself but staff and key personnel involved in your project. It’s helpful to disclose the education and job experience but why each person involve is suited to carry on their job responsibilities for your program 

 

5.     Budget, provide as much detail as possible.  It is even better to have Non-Profit accounting standards for all financial statements.

 

Your purpose is to provide quality information, in order for grant reviewers to fully comprehend and understand your mission. Additionally, you want to provide the confidence that you and your organization are qualified and accountable.

On Assignment--BestBuddies Living

BestBuddies Living participants

For more years than I want to admit, I have documented the events and the people for Best Buddies. We have made pictures in all parts of the country showing the abilities and personalities of many of the participants.  

Since 1989, Best Buddies’ mission is to provide opportunities for individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).  Through four mission pillars—one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living--Best Buddies is changing the lives of millions of people.  

Residents work and study together

In 2019, the fourth pillar, BESTBUDDIES Living was established to provide inclusive living for people with and without IDD.  They are forming active homes where participants can learn, grow and thrive independently.

A common area offers opportunities for all types of activities.

My assignment was to document the newest home in Washington, DC.  The goal is to show everyday activities of the participants living in their space; eating, cleaning, studying and playing.  The resulting images will be used to promote the program and attract new residents.

Lifelong relationship are made through
sharing experiences and activities

All images made with Nikon Z6 cameras and Nikkor lenses.  Shot on location at the BestBuddies Living residence at Union Market, Washington, DC 

Copyright 2021 Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved. No publishing or usage granted without permission

www.LLLevin.com

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Rated #1 DC Event Photographer by Peerspace

Featured in VoyageLA

7 Tips on Surviving the Pandemic: Suggestions to Grow Professionally

Almost a year gone and who knows how much longer.  Time is of the essence, and this slowdown in business activity made me realize the importance of being productive.  So when this pandemic is over, I will be ready to return to business as usual.  I wanted to share these 7 action items I incorporated to prepare my business and grow professionally.  

1.   Update your website/social media

A daunting task everyone has is updating their website and social media.  You always want to keep it all fresh to attract attention.  Choosing new images and creating new text is a time-consuming process.  Edit current content, add new images and text.  Just as important is the website design.  Keep the branding consistent through logos, type and theme.  My website host is Sitewelder.  This system has advantages; change designs easily while keeping content consistent, huge selection of designs, great SEO and top-quality customer service.

View my updated website

2.  LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn

Rediscover LinkedIn to build and engage your professional network for opportunities. Update your profile, upload a current image, highlight your accomplishments.   There are many aspects to your profile.  The best book to assist you is the updated for 2021, “LinkedIn for Personal Branding: The Ultimate Guide” by Sandra Long.  This book provides everything you need to make the most of your LinkedIn experience. 

 

3.  LinkedIn, Part 2. Build your network

Even with a “free” account you can do searches to connect to potential clients.  Find people in your area, look for job titles, or companies, these are just a few search filters.  Go to the search bar at the top left, enter a keyword.  After going to the results, you can go to the filter to further refine it.  You can do this process for a job search.  Click on Jobs on the menu bar on top of the bar.

 

4.  Find a New Side Hustle 

Need a Plan B?  What is your passion?  Can you earn extra income from doing things you love?  One of my passions in basketball.  Having officiated games for years, it keeps me active, motivates me to stay in shape, meet wonderful people who turned into lifelong friends and earn a few bucks.  However, the high school basketball season is on hold.  But the learning goes on, through weekly Zoom meetings.

 

To discover your side hustle read, “Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days”, by Chris Guillebeau.  Also, he has a free daily podcast.  

 

My new side hustle is a Notary Public.  See my Notary profile.  I get to meet new people, help them to facilitate complex documents and make extra income. 

5.  Stay Active

During this stay-at-home predicament, it is important to stay active, to keep your body effective, protect your health, control your weight, prevent stress plus improve your sleep.  You can get outside to walk, bike or run.  A great inside activity is Yoga.  A wonderful free collection of yoga practices on YouTube is by SarahBethYoga.   She provides easy to follow routines for every level.  Try it, you will like it.

 

6.  Catch Up on Your Reading

Expand your knowledge, you probably have a pile of books you want to read. Make time each day to read.  If you are an Amazon Prime member, they provide a free monthly selection of books to read.  Just download the books to your Kindle device.  www.amazon.com/primereading  

7.  Expand on Your Hobbies

Nothing like a hobby to keep your mind active and do something you like.  These past few months, I jumped on my bike with my camera to explore the surrounding areas of the C&O Canal National Park.  Photographed wildlife and activities.  Great exercise as well as sharpened my photographic skills.

 

The short video of my nature photos from this year. 

Hopefully these suggestions will motivate you and help you navigate these strange times.  Please keep in touch.  Let me know what you are doing to get you through the pandemic.  Stay healthy, productive and sane!

Copyright 2020 Laurence L. Levin

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

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Rated #1 2019 DC Event Photographer by Peerspace