thePULSE
By Vanessa Formato
“In the last two weeks, I’ve had shoots in New York, L.A., Miami, and the Bahamas,” Diana Levine said. It sounds impressive, but one would never be able to tell from the nonchalant tone in her sweet voice ~ probably because travel has become another part of the daily grind for this hard-working 25 year old. Just three years out of college, Levine is living her dreams as a freelance photographer.
Levine’s time in Worcester played a big part in her success. While at Clark University, her alma mater, she made time to focus on school and photography 100%, not letting anything destract her from her goal.
“I was a pretty big nerd,” Levine said, laughing.
At Clark, she took photography classes ~ she credits Professor Stephen Dirado as a huge influence on her aesthetic ~ and started a magazine her sophomore year.
“Clark gave the freedom and space for me to really do what I wanted,” Levine said. “If I were at another school, I may not have had the opportunity to do something like STIR Magazine.”
Clark’s close-knit campus provided the perfect environment for her project to take off. “So many students were writing, modeling, and contributing” for STIR every semester, giving her the kind of love and support she needed to grow the magazine.
After graduation, Levine served as the Designer and Staff Photographer for Boston Magazine before moving to the Big Apple and going freelance.
“Once I got to New York,” Levine said, “one job turned into two jobs, two jobs turned into four jobs, etc, mainly through recommendations.”
Levine was soon being recommended as a photographer to the stars. She has photographed Alicia Keys, Kim Kardashian, Ludacris, Hanson, and New Kids on the Block, to only name a few of the familiar faces that grace her portfolio. Along with her boyfriend, cinematographer Matt Workman, and director Parris, she even appeared in an episode of MTV’s “My Super Sweet 16” to film a car chase video for Justin Combs, Diddy’s son.
“It was a really fun shoot, and Justin was really sweet,” Levine said “I didn’t know we were going to be on camera, and I had just wrapped a shoot for Bumble and Bumble that day, so I definitely wasn’t dressed to be on TV!” Since she doesn’t own a television, Levine didn’t know it was airing until her friends started texting her. She watched it for the first time over Skype with her mother.
If you ask Levine about her other clients, you’ll hear nothing but excitement. Her love for her job, for working and connecting with people, is palpable.
“I was so excited to work with Alicia Keys,” Levine went on. “She’s immensely talented ~ and she’s a humanitarian. She wants to make the world a better place.”
Levine is hoping to use her career to make the world a better place, too. Levine’s mother has Parkinson’s Disease, and the two have been raising money and awareness through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Levine and her mother recently raised $3,000 at the Parkinson’s Unity Walk, and Levine has appeared in a PSA about the disease.
This is a good feature! It’s nice to hear good things about a freelancer worker in this tough economy. 😀
As a freelancer too, I’m so inspired to see someone successful despite this economy. It’s always a struggle to remind yourself why you’re trying it on your own while everyone else tells you to do otherwise 🙂 Great feature!
I like stories like these – they give me hope that if I am hardworking, I’ll make it.
Dear Diana,
I am Valerie Ph’s mom and over the years she has been so excited about your talentsand opportunities in the photography field. She sent this article to me and I’m so impressed with your accomplishements, especially at age 25. Please tell Matt I say HI and I wish both of you success in your finest dreams.