Barb Levant Photo

Michael

“Michael” opens this Friday, and it sent me straight back to 1982—flipping through old notebooks and memories from the set of Thriller.

I was working for Dick Zimmerman, the man behind that iconic cover. Third assistant—loading film, dialing in lighting, and running the Mole-Richardson fog machine… from under the table where Michael Jackson posed.

I made $65 that day.
What I gained? A masterclass in lighting, precision, and being exactly where you need to be.

44 years later… still doing what I love—creating portraits, headshots, and images that last.

📍Chicago-based photographer | Available for bookings

Portrait photography of remarkable women | The Ukulele Girls — Deerfield, Illinois, 1997

On December 2, 1997, I photographed a wonderful group of women who gathered regularly to play music, laugh, and celebrate their friendship. Their president, Patty, arranged for group portraits and mother-daughter photos in her Deerfield home.

Patty was a force all her own. I like to think that before fierce was a thing, there was Patty.

And one unforgettable detail—she casually mentioned she invented and named the Egg McMuffin, right there in the kitchen where I had my camera gear spread out.

When people are creative, it shows up in more than one way. Moments like these are why portrait photography preserves stories for generations.

Kicking off with one from the archives.
Wilhelmina model J. Lawrence, shot 11-8-1981 in Long Beach, CA. My makeup artist Rosha had piled her hair so high we had to recline the seat of the VW Bug all the way back just to get to the location with the hair intact at well over 6' tall.
The point of the shot was power—with the smokestacks of the power station quietly rising in the background.
Over the next week I’ll be digging into some of my oldest archives, featuring a few of the cool, strong women I’ve met along the way in my photographic journey.
Hope you’ll come along for the ride.
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