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.

2018 USA Games Special Olympics--Basketball Officials

With my friend and mentor, Joe Mitchell

July 1-6--Seattle, WA--Officiating is an avocation that takes a strong willed person.  Why on earth would you put yourself in a situation that demands perfection, where coaches and fans are prone to yell at you no matter what you do, you are always 'on the road' and the "pay" is no where near close to paying for your time or expertise??  However, officials, no matter what sport, have a commitment to their sport.  They have a desire to maintain and enforce the sport's traditions, rules and integrity.  Officials do not care who wins or loses, their job, through the administrating the rules, is to make sure both teams have an equal and fair opportunity to win.

The 2018 USA Games Special Olympics brought together 31 officials, both from the Washington state area and National Officials chosen from the US.  All volunteering to make these games run smoothly.  The officials working these games have the understanding of how the game is called.  We work diligently to properly enforce the rules.  Many in this group have worked together for years and have developed a friendship and bond.  We all care about the game and want to make certain each player is treated fairly so each athlete can perform to the best of their ability.

This is my fourth USA games participation with many years of international participation, too. All of us have years of college and high school experience as well as years of Special Olympics competition.

In between working games, I was able to make some photos of some of the other officials.  Click on the photo to see the high resolution.  

Sarah Sowers 

Jim Bueler

Jeremy Colter

Geoff Weatherbie

Joe Mitchell 

Pete Pannell

Will Asmond

Keith Lampel 

Keith Lampel, making a new friend

Player relations, always trying to make a good impression

There were 31 basketball officials, local and national officials 

 Photography Copyright 2018 Laurence L. Levin
All Rights Reserved.  No uses without written permission.
www.LLLevin.com
Instagram @larrylevin 

Sports action photography is fun, its anticipation, quick focusing, and a camera that can shoot consecutive shooting.  The Nikon D850 with its quick focusing, excellent resolution and exposure controls, help me make some fun images.  The action shots were made with the Nikon 70-200mm lens 

2018 USA Games--Competition

After team introductions, each team exchanges gifts with the other team

July 1-6--Seattle, WA--One of the greatest athletic events, 2018 USA Games Special Olympics is an incredible showcase of athletic talent.  My involvement with Special Olympics started in 1986.  From local games, to national and international competitions, I have seen dedicated, hard working, enthusiastic, talented, courteous, determined, good natured, caring and the most sportsmanship oriented athletes. These games proved no different.

In between officiating games, was able to photograph several games.

Tenacity

Determination

No Fear
Challenging the seven-foot defender

Competitive

One play that is misunderstood by fans is the block/charge foul.  Each player is entitled to a spot on the floor as long as she/he gets there first.  However, the defensive player has to establish the legal guarding position, two feet on the floor facing the opponent.  Sounds simple? Well, maybe.  Look at this series, from the sequential images, what happened?  As an official, you have to make a split second decision.

Two feet on the floor, facing the opponent

Defensive player, is he falling before contact?

What can you see?

As a coach, you love to see your players take the charge.  

Celebrate!

Click on the photos to see high resolution images
All Photographs 2018 Copyright Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved. No usage permitted without written permission.

www.LLLevin.com

Instagram @Larry Levin 

All photos made with Nikon D850 and Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8  shot in available light at the University of Washington,

USA Games Special Olympics

Checking out the main basketball court with fellow officials Don Marcotte and Jeremy Colter.  

July 1-6--Seattle, WA--Since 2006 and every four years,  The USA Special Olympics Games comes together for athletes to compete in 14 sports.  This year's games were held in Seattle, Washington.  The highlight for the athletes is the opening ceremonies.  Over 4000 athletes from the District of Columbia and all 50 states participate.

This is my fourth time to be invited to officiate basketball at these games.  It's an honor to be part of a group of dedicated volunteers who give up a week of time to observe and participate with talented, hard-working and fun athletes.  

Although I do bring a camera, it is sometimes nice to be part of the ceremonies instead of trying to document every moment.  You get to listen more to what's going on.  You feel more involved.  You are a part of something big.

As we walked to Husky Stadium on the campus of University of Washington, the people of Seattle lined the street to cheer the athletes.  It was absolutely an emotional time as we saw signs, cheering fans, hand slaps and lots of noise of encouragement.  Didn't take any photos, for once it was just fun and inspiring to walk with the athletes, have worthwhile conversations and just enjoyed the moments with new and old friends.

The officials sat in one section of the stadium, so we could sit and enjoy the ceremonies.  

Empty Seats before the Athletes enter the Stadium

Full Section

Theme for the Games, #Risewithus

Tim Shriver addressing the stadium, as seen on the screen

Copyright 2018 Laurence L. Levin

No uses without written permission from Laurence L. Levin

Instagram @larrylevin

www.LLLevin.com

First Photo of the day

April 06--Tidal Basin, Washington, DC--The annual early morning photo excursion to photograph the Cherry Blossoms.  It is a challenge to try to make something different each year as well as find something someone else isn't doing.  A hard task on both fronts.  This year decided to utilize short depth of field.  A Friday morning, overcast and a chilling low 40s, arrived at 6:20am, 25 minutes before sunrise, only a few parking spaces were left on Ohio Drive.  Seven situations made in about 40 minutes. Didn't rush, just tried to walk slower to observe and enjoy.

Washington Monument

Jefferson Memorial

Morning View

Martin Luther King Memorial

Where bad trees end up going

Copyright 2018 Laurence L. Levin

www.LLLevin.com

All Rights Reserved. No Publication Rights Granted without Permission

Photos made with Nikon D850 

Social Media Portraits

Selected Portraits

March 13-15--San Diego, CA--The Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition held in San Diego attracts thousands of attendees.  As an attraction to their lounge, The Optical Society wanted to provide free portraits for people to use in their social media profiles.  In a small space we made a portrait studio, two continuous light, (Westcott Flex Lights) with a seamless white background, within 2 days, over 150 people took advantage of this offer.  Each person was given personal attention, many shots were made to get that one best image. The photos were made with a Nikon D850 in the RAW file format. The best image was selected, minor adjustments were made and emailed to each person within 3 days.

Copyright 2018 Laurence L. Levin
www.LLLevin.com
Instagram @LarryLevin
No usage or publication rights granted without written permission.

National Guard Youth Foundation Portraits

February 20--Washington, DC--The National Guard Youth Foundation 2018 ChalleNGe Champions Recognition Reception is the annual event that recognizes many of the individuals and sponsors that make the ChalleNGe successful for nearly 10,000 young people throughout the country, every year.  A red carpet was set-up and these are a few of the portraits of the cadets who benefit from this program.  

Four continuous LED Lights were setup for this step and repeat (Westcott Flex Lights and Ledgo) This combination provided sufficient light to capture a broad area.  There was a little red pickup from the red carpet, but it all seemed to work well.  Using Continuous lights, you see how the light wraps around the subjects.  You can make adjustments easier than using flash.  Plus your subjects react each time a flash goes off, thus continuous light makes a better session and keeps the subjects relaxed.

Copyright 2018 Laurence L. Levin
www.LLLevin.com
Instagram @larrylevin
LinkedIn
No publication rights or usage rights granted without written permission.