Today’s guest is the inspirational photographer and documentarian, fifth generation Angelino, and all-round good guy, Steven Levey. Steven joins us on the show to talk about his views on art, his recent foray into cooking, how he happened into professional photography, and why he mainly just wants to be a good person. We kick the show off hearing about how Steven ‘discovered his kitchen’ after COVID struck and the fun he is having making delicious meals for himself. Sourdough calls Steven the true mayor of LA and we hear about the long connection his family has had with the city next. Steven talks about how he has documented his connection to LA and this springboards a discussion on his relationship with photography. He tells the story of how he ended up exhibiting his photographs in a fine art show after documenting a street art event. We then hear why he doesn’t consider himself an artist and why has chosen the iPhone as his camera of choice. Toward the end of our discussion, we talk about all the money Steven has raised for the LA Marathon, hearing the story behind why he started doing charitable work for the St Jude Children’s Hospital. Wrapping up, Sourdough commends Steven on his endless empathy and desire to simply help others as much as possible, and Steven shares his views on why he has chosen this life philosophy. For all this and more from today’s admirable guest, be sure to tune in.

 

Key Points From This Episode:

• How Steven got interested in cooking and how he is incorporating his photography into it.
• Steven’s view that the meals he makes are about the food, not the Instagram food pics.
• Why Steven doesn’t eat meat but ate some for the first time in 25 years recently.
• The story behind how Steven recently cut his finger after buying a knife sharpener.
• Steven’s long-time family home and the story of him being a 5th generation Angelino.
• How Steven fell in love with photography and got into documenting LA.
• The journey Steven made into professional photography after photographing a street art event.
• Steven’s idea of art and how the conception he has of the work he does fits into it.
• A story about an experience Steven had at his solo show which influenced his view of himself as a photographer.
• Why Steven chooses to use his phone as his camera of choice.
• Steven’s philosophy about the value of empathy and why he tries to be a good person.
• The money Steven raised for the LA marathon and other charitable causes he is involved in.
• How Steven got involved with doing marathons and charitable work for St Jude’s.
• Steven’s thoughts on why he does marathons even though they destroy his body.

For more information and photos, visit here: https://notrealart.com/stephen-levey