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A New Nostalgia: Through The Lens Of Levi Walton

Any working photographer in NYC will agree that the journey to making it, and scoring consistent, well-paying gigs is an arduous one. It’s even more difficult when you relocate from a totally different country and compete with the abundant talent vying for the few open spots in the crowded city. That’s why Levi Walton‘s accomplishments are all the more laudable. He moved to New York from Panama after plying his creative trade in his native land for six years. His original intention was to further his studies, but he ended up dropping out and going full throttle with his dream. His hustle paid off immensely, and presently his clients include global brands like New Era, Converse, and Coach. We caught up with this remarkable urban transplant for a Manual interview, and he also shared some inspiring advice for young photographers who want to follow in his footsteps.

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Levi, please tell us a little about yourself and where you come from.

My name is Levi, like the jeans. I love Thai food, bulldogs, and staying up late. I was born and raised in Panama City, Panama, and now I call NYC home.

Why did you chose to move to New York to pursue your career?

It was a no brainer. I think New York has no match in terms of culture, food, art… just look at the overall energy of the city and the plethora of opportunities up for grabs – how not to choose New York?

You initially came here to study and yet, you dropped out and still became successful. What about school was unsatisfying for you?

I loved school. If I could afford an arts education without drowning in debt, I would’ve definitely stayed—but my reasons for dropping were beyond my control. Even though it was a disappointing thing to have to do, it helped me get a head start in the industry and learn lessons that would’ve taken me years otherwise.

Did you experience any difficulties after dropping out? How did you overcome them?

I experienced many. I think the fear of not ‘making it’ was bigger than all the struggle. I didn’t want to disappoint anyone back home, and most importantly didn’t want to disappoint myself, so I pushed through it, always putting my career first. I would swap some of my waiter / barista shifts to go to shoots and meet with clients, trying to build up to something and become who I wanted to be.

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What was your first big break in photography? How did that lead to other opportunities?

I’m not entirely sure. I guess my big break was moving to New York. I had been a photographer for 6 years in Panama before moving here, but once I stepped foot in New York, it felt like having a breakthrough. I do think word of mouth has been my most efficient way of finding new work. Be nice, personable and chill on set, and people will never forget you or your work — and if you’re nice to them, chances are they will recommend you to their friends.

You usually use a Pentax 67 camera. Why do you favor this one over all your other cameras?

Truth is I love shooting medium format. It also helps that the negatives for the 6×7 are huge, crisp and beautiful. I’m a sucker for nostalgia and optics, and this gives me both. I also love scanning my film with the borders. That’s a few reasons to carry around a whole 5 pounds of camera.

What do you look for to find a good subject or environment to shoot?

I can’t put my finger on it but I tend to gravitate towards subjects who seem unique and confident, subjects who have a personality big enough to fill the frame. I guess I know it when I see it.

What’s most important to you when you’re telling a story through photographs?

I find it very important not only that all the photos as a whole tell a story, but also that every frame seen individually tells a story. Whether it is the same collective story, or something that relates to it, every photo needs to be strong enough to stand on its own.

Have any fun projects coming up?

It’s all under wraps but just know I’m staying busy 😉

What advice do you have for young, aspiring photographers who want to break into the world of fashion photography?

Find your nichethat one thing you’re really, really good at, and only you can do. Once you find that ‘signature style,’ you need to hone in on it. Work consistently on making your style even better. Trust me when I say – there’s too many photographers out there, you need to give clients a reason to pick you over John Doe. At the end of the day, it’s not about the camera or the gear, it’s about the brain behind it.

Be sure to follow Levi on IG here.

And, if you liked this story, check out more from our Urban Transplants issue.


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