Danielle Levitt: Portraits of Fame

Born in 1972 in Los Angeles, Danielle Levitt began her photography journey at age 10 before studying at NYU and moving to New York in 1993 to shoot street style for the New York Post. Her career soared with work in Rolling Stone, Dazed, and Nylon, and she later won a Creative Arts Emmy in 2016 for her Ad Council film “Love Has No Labels.” Known for her vivid use of hot pinks and electric blues, Levitt’s candid, dynamic portraits burst with the raw energy of youth and subcultures.

Primary Genres: Portrait Photography, Fashion Photography, Documentary
Primary Photography Style: Straight Photography (candid, vibrant shots preserving real moments), Expressionism (bold, youthful dynamism)
Key Message: Levitt’s work authentically captures the spirit of diverse subcultures and contemporary youth, reflecting society’s pulse with unfiltered vibrancy.

Levitt’s lens often focuses on subjects like punks, cheerleaders, and rappers, framed against urban streets or open fields. Her aesthetic stands out with bold colours—think glittery outfits and denim under natural light or sharp flash bursts. She shoots digitally, using 35mm lenses for lively group shots and 85mm for intimate portraits, paired with golden hour lighting or soft overcast tones to enhance mood. At night, strobes keep her images punchy and real.

In editing, she uses Lightroom to boost vibrancy and contrast, steering clear of heavy retouching to maintain authenticity. Her work shines in gallery prints, magazines like Vogue, and her 2008 book We Are Experienced, preserving youth culture as a vivid time capsule.

For intermediate learners, Levitt’s style offers practical lessons in capturing genuine moments. Her reliance on natural light, especially golden hour, mirrors the zone system’s focus on tonal range, showing how timing can deepen emotion. Digital photography suits her fast-paced shoots, but her minimal editing pushes learners to nail composition and exposure in-camera. By catching subjects mid-action, she teaches the value of dynamic framing to tell compelling stories—perfect for those honing their storytelling skills.

Accolades:
- Creative Arts Emmy, Best Commercial (2016) for “Love Has No Labels”
- 2 Silver Lions (Cannes Lions)
- Silver Pencil (The One Show)
- Gold Lion for National Down Syndrome Society PSA

Trivia:
- Photographed over 50 subcultures, from punks to cheerleaders
- Loves ‘90s hip-hop, shaping her music photography
- Directs shoots with her camera rolling, merging film and stills
- Starred in the documentary Danielle on WIGS

Lessons from this Photographer:

Levitt’s work highlights the importance of trust—connecting with subjects to reveal authentic moments that resonate. Her use of natural light, like golden hour, shows how timing can transform a shot’s mood, while her minimal edits encourage mastering in-camera techniques. Photographers can apply her approach by seeking out diverse subjects, experimenting with bold compositions, and using light to amplify emotion, fostering a deeper appreciation for storytelling through the lens.