JAMES LEVINE WON'T STAGE A PHOTOGRAPH

Every great photographer has a signature technique for capturing unique views of their subjects, and James Levine is no different. According to him, “I don't like staged photographs. I am not your typical photographer who poses his subjects. I like them to relax and be themselves. When I worked in fashion photography, I grew to resent the way that clothes became the star. In my photos, the subject is the star, no matter what they are wearing or what they are doing.” From an early age, James has been fascinated with both music and photography. It is little wonder that musicians are amongst his favorite subjects. “Actors make careers out of portraying characters, while musicians expose their true feelings through their songs. I love photographing musicians … and capturing their emotions.” His attraction to the world of music and musicians comes very naturally. His mother is songwriter and Broadway composer Lucy Simon, and her sister is Carly Simon. “It is easy to become interested in music when Carly is your aunt, and James Taylor is your uncle. In addition, one of my other uncles is Peter Simon, who is one of the best known photographers. Not only did he take music lessons when he was growing up, it was actually New Orleans rocker Dr. John who taught Levine to play the piano when he was a child.“Ever since I was the age of seven, I have had a Nikon camera around my neck,” he laughs. He studied at the International Center for Photography (ICP), and then James then attended the University of Wisconsin, where he received his BA in Communications in 1994.Much of his experience as a master lens smith, was gleaned by working as an assistant to other professional photographers, including Ken Regan of Time magazine, and fashion icon Richard Avedon. He also grew up being friends with famed portrait and magazine photographer Lynn Goldsmith. Apparently much of their photographic alchemy has rubbed off on James Levine, as he has developed his own trademark style of capturing the souls of his subjects on film.Levine’s growing portfolio includes his photos of Chris Rock, Mariah Carey, Paul Newman, Spike Lee, G.E. Smith, Kevin Bacon, Dr. John, Carly Simon, and James Taylor.One of James’ friends is Broadway director Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys and Tommy). In addition, James’ mother wrote the lyrics to the recent Broadway production of The Secret Garden. Now that McAnuff and Lucy Simon are collaborating on the Broadway bound musical version of Dr. Zhivago, it will be James who will be chronicling the progress of the production with his camera. “It is an exciting project,” James explains. “They have already staged a workshop production of it in La Jolla, and the Broadway production promises to be an incredible spectacle. I plan on being right there to capture it on film.”

Photo By: James Levine