Joel Levinson: Behind The Scenes


Text by Joel Levinson, Copyright 2023

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Behind  The Scenes

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I FELT LIKE I was Marcello Mastroianni walking onto the film set for La Dolce Vita; a colorful cast of characters assembled in slightly exotic circumstances later than scheduled. The Dolce Vita feeling stayed with me, even intensified, as the afternoon progressed.

Tony had invited me to be a BTS (behind the scenes) photographer and I did my best to remain behind the scenes. It was his project and he had a specific vision of what was going to happen, in what order. So…in that context I knew I was merely a passive participant. I had once before shot in another photographer’s studio. On that occasion, it was my show with the model. But on this day, I happily marched to Tony’s drumbeats.

I have almost always photographed with natural light, not studio lights. My eye has been trained over many decades to see the results in advance…that is to say when I deem the daylight just right. Fortunately, there were several occasions through the day to shoot in natural light…in the studio, in his house, and in the garden that separated house from garden. In those moments, between setups, when I knew I didn’t have to be behind the scenes , I was free to pick my subjects and my moments to click the shutter. Not unusual, I shot things that were totally unrelated to the goal of the day. During the shoot, I kept wishing the studio had skylights but that isn’t Tony’s artistic MO.

One of my goals was to capture Tony at work…Tony in his element. It didn’t sink in when Tony invited me to the Dolce Vita event that there would be an artistic director. But first to arrive was KVaughn, a force unto himself; high energy, purpose-driven, stylish in his attire, and from my perspective, the most photogenic character in the studio and on the property. He was OK with me taking a few snaps when he was sitting near me on two occasions, when the daylight struck me as just right. He insisted on always having his glasses on…and he won out…most of the time.

Tony, dressed like he was on vacation but worked with focus…he worked like he was on anything but vacation. He was a pro through and through. I stayed out of the way, mostly behind him as he moved about. Sometimes he was up on a low stool to explore an alternative perspective. He seemed to be in three places at once.

Frankly, I went hoping to see some skin, but I saw less skin on this shoot than in a shopping center. I like shooting nudes (a great challenge to do well), but today the goal was otherwise. Ellen Tiberino, Tony’s subject, has a face that for me, was not easy to capture in studio lighting. When she sat down for a few minutes in the soft up light of a make-up counter, I saw what I was after in reflections of her in the makeup counter’s mirror. She was not aware, at the counter, that I was shooting (happily so…because I do best with candid shots), but at one point, I let on what I was doing and she willingly responded. Those mirror shots were some of my best ones of Ellen.

I also took a few candid shots of Tracey Olkus as she applied makeup or tweaked a few hairs on Ellen’s brow or around her shoulders. Regrettably, I took no separate shots of  Sam Binder as he did Tony’s bidding with the lights, the hand-held diffusing scrim, and the backdrop behind Ellen.

After the session, it was great to sit at a table under roof with everyone for a late but tasty lunch. We all relaxed and became old friends. The only person missing was La Dolce Vita’s director Federico Fellini.

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Portrait of architect and photographer Joel Levinson
Joel Levinson. Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023

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About The Author: Joel Levinson is a veteran architect and photographer based in Philadelphia. Joel is currently working on a book of his photographs. This is his first contribution to TWS.

 

Fashion Fetish: On Location With Beth

Partially nude fashion model posing by a window in a hotel
Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023

Text by Tony Ward, Copyright 2023

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Fashion Fetish: On Location With Beth

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Beth first reached out to me on Facebook. She had a nice profile up.  Lots of photos that showed her interest in fashion modeling. She also was photographed by a couple of friends of mine in Philly . That gave her street credit.  I agreed to meet her to discuss a  shoot.  At that time, I was working on a new book project that eventually would be titled Fashion Fetish 25 Years.  A book that would be about the cross section of fashion and erotic photography.  Kind of like Vogue and Playboy merge to create a new type of contemporary magazine.  That fantasy magazine never happened. The series of photographs did. This was the reason I agreed to collaborate with Beth.

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young female model wearing bra and panty set at home
Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023

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We first met in person at the Copabanana on South street, a place we were both familiar with. The meeting went as expected, she was bright, sensitive and very familiar with my previous work.  By the time we left Copa we made a plan to meet again at a location where we could shoot.  I asked her to bring vintage fashion, as she reminded me of the type of young beauty that I could see cast in classic English films or a famous television series like EastEnders. 

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beautiful young woman topless wearing pearls at dusk
Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023

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After scouting a few different location, I settled on two locations, a friends house and the A-Loft in Marlton, New Jersey.  I had photographed models at both locations before and was always satisfied with the style of the rooms and the available light that was a plus for certain situations.  Beth always arrived before me on the day of the shoot.  I’m impressed when a model is early and ahead of schedule.

As I approached the reception desk of the hotel, I noticed her seated in the lounge area reading a book looking very studious.  That was an impressive look.  Her thirst for knowledge and her conservative looks were at the top of my mind until we began to shoot. Then her alter ego kicked in.

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Up skirt view of model seated on floor during a fashion shoot
Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023

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I quickly assessed her wardrobe and accessories then proceeded to take her through a series of classic and provocative possesses that she seamlessly adapted to as if she had made these same poses many times before.  That thought couldn’t have been further from the truth. I’ll never forget when she made the comment that she had “never worn pantyhose before”, let alone the crotchless type that you wouldn’t normally find in the catalogue at Victoria’s Secret.  

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young model posing at a fashion shoot wearing crotchless panties
Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023

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To access additional articles by Tony Ward, click herehttps://tonywardstudio.com/blog/mel-the-apartment/

Matthew Sampson: The Sneaker King

Portrait by Tony Ward of Matt Sampson, the sneaker king
Matthew Samson. Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2022

COVER FEATURE

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Text by Matthew Samson, Copyright 2022

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The Sneaker King

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Sneakers to me are more than an item of clothing. It’s a way for me to express myself. I’m never the most outspoken person in the room. It’s often my sneakers that speak for me. My love of shoes started at a young age. My grandfather would send me a pair once a year. Upon his passing, I had a pretty nice collection. Unfortunately with his passing so did my love for shoes. It was many years later I met my friend Herb Simpson. His exact words to me were “You’re a good dude but you need better shoes”.  The next day he came to work with the newest Jordans for me. With that one gesture, the love for shoes was back. For a while, I would often run my purchases by Herb. If he approved I would purchase it. I eventually developed my style and direction. My collection started as only Air Jordans. I branched out to Adidas, Reebok, Fila, Puma, Vans, and Asics. If I felt it was nice I got it. Like many people during the pandemic, I had a lot of free time. So I decided to try something different. I began recording YouTube videos about sneakers. I did vlogs of me shopping in stores. I also did reviews of the newest sneakers. Things started to pick up for me during that time. With the notoriety from my videos, I began selling shoes. It started slow but I became everyone’s sneaker connect. Sneakers have allowed me to do things I would’ve never thought of. From traveling to different events, being on podcasts, modeling for K.Vaughn, and now even being on the cover of Tony Ward Studio. In closing, if you have a passion, no matter how big or small follow it. You never know where it might take you!

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Portrait of Matt Sampson the sneaker king by famed photographer Tony Ward
Matthew Sampson. Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2022.

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About The Author: Matthew Sampson is a full-time father of a wonderful 16-year-old daughter who also loves shoes. He recently started creating content in 2020 and posting to IG and YouTube. Matt also has become the sneaker connect for multiple people in Philadelphia. You can his sneakers for sale on his Instagram sampson_matt_. Feel free to reach out if you need items sold as well.  This is Matt’s first contribution to TWS.

Matt’s YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovYBh_odqJg&authuser=0

Editor’s Note: Matt is wearing a KVaughn scarve, Winter collection. Photographed at the Rittenhouse Grill in Philadelphia on November 27, 2022.

BTS: Kitchie Ohh Luncheon

 

Behind the Scenes Text by Tony Ward, Copyright 2022

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Photographs by Earnest Thomas, Copyright 2022

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Kitchie Ohh Luncheon

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After the successful shoot with Kitchie Ohh for the new Vixen’s series, I invited friends over to meet Kitchie for lunch.  I selected an eclectic group of friends drawing from different aspects of the professional world including; Kitty Hailey, the famous Philadelphia based private investigator who primarily works on civil rights cases.  She is a good person to know if you’ve been abused by the U.S. legal system. Kitty was accompanied by her assistant investigator, Malik Mubashir a history and religion scholar who graduated from Harvard in the 1970’a. He’s currently one of the beloved teachers at the Friends Select School in Philadelphia.  Malik is dedicating his free time assisting Kitty on various high profile civil rights cases.

Also in attendance was Anthony Seraphin and his lovely sister Bunny who once owned the Seraphin Gallery on Pine street in Philadelphia. Tony continues to make private sales and investments in the arts.  Out of town guests included friend and colleague Ted Kawalerski, professional photographer/film maker  New York and his girlfriend Dana Montemurno, a highly skilled skin care specialist based in Westport Ct. 

Needless to say my personal assistant Anthony Colagreco was present offering up one of his spectacular vegetarian dishes.  Besides his cooking talents TC is also a master massage therapist.  Also in attendance was my long time friend, Sam Binder a Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts  trained artist whose primary interest is in sculpture.

The gracious Miss Kitchie Ohh enjoyed the guests and delighted in the food, drink and lively conversations.

Many thanks to my creative director KVaughn who came up with the brilliant idea to invite the fabulous photographer Earnest Thomas to photograph the luncheon. Thanks Earnest!

Harvey Finkle: Under One Sky

Harvey Finkle: Under One Sky

PRESS RELEASE:

 

Upcoming Exhibitions:
 
Under One Sky: Reflecting Immigrant Communities.
The Photographs of Harvey Finkle, A Harvey Finkle Retrospective, 1982-2018.
 
 
Curated by David Acosta, Artistic Director for Casa de Duende, opening October 1st, 2022 5-8 PM @
The Dene Louchheim Gallery, Fleisher Art Memorial,
 
719 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA 19147