Today we’d like to introduce you to Howard Litvack.
Hi Howard, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Photography was always fascinating to me. At an early age, I remember being handed a Brownie camera at Mesa Verde park in Colorado. I positioned the camera at my waist, looked into the tiny viewfinder, and clicked. I was hooked a few weeks later when the film was processed and my pictures were good ! At least they were to me.
Professionally, it wasn’t until the navy, college, and a career were over with before I could devote myself to the art of it all. Once retired, I hooked up with some local photographers who wanted to promote the art with a gallery show in Nashville. We worked through critiques and techniques until everyone was ready, and had our show. This was right about when Covid started up.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Was Covid a great time to start a gallery? Not really. But it provided an opportunity to really get out and create. The gallery wasn’t an answer, but it was springboard to what I now do.
I am a regular vendor at some local farmers markets in the area, including Murfreesboro on the Square. My photos are printed by me, mounted and bagged for sale. In addition, I build frames for them with reclaimed wood in my shop.
The mobile gallery of sorts, pops up and shows off my work of framed prints and bins of displayable artwork and greeting cards. Over the last six years or so, I’ve sold well over 2000 pieces. I did have to learn what people would buy, and my price points. Additionally, I try to come up with various products or innovations to stay current and fresh. Leaning curves were shortened with the business background I have, but the most important thing I learned was that I didn’t have to do customer shoots and requests. People are never happy, so I don’t do requests. I’m happy telling stories about my work, and selling a few things on Saturday.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve traveled the world and captured a lot of it. Every week, people ask me where was my favorite place to visit. I’m a sucker for ruins, and history. So of course, Egypt has to be on top. The magic of the pyramids, the tombs and statues was top shelf and moving.
But then, Machu Pichu, Peru, the Roman Forum, Olympus in Greece, Ephesus in Turkey the mountains of Patagonia and Fiordlands of New Zealand are all fantastic places to visit. I take pictures everywhere, and can talk for hours about them all.
Visit my shop, and you’ll see a heavy concentration on wildlife. I love being in the woods or the swamps and beaches of wherever I am. In Tennessee, we have almost everything you could ask for in wildlife. Eagles, otters, and owls are but a few of my favorites. People are amazed at some of my wildlife pictures, and I also have an excellent collection of Highland cattle photos that are very popular.
I have not seen another artist that creates the art, and builds the frames for it. Certainly, you won’t find another one like me at any farmers market ! Except in Murfreesboro on Saturday.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
It seems strange, but I hooked up with these folks through Instagram. A common interest that sort of snagged a few creative souls. It went nowhere, except for the idea of doing it at a farmers market on my own. That was born in those meetings. Creatively is within us all. Finding a way to express it, and getting people to see it is a bit tougher. Find me or someone who does this for an idea or two. Just don’t set up a booth near mine !!
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.howardlitvack.smugmug.com
- Instagram: legendaryphoto_by_hl
