David Levy Photography

07/16/2026

Caught this egret taking flight along the San Gabriel River this morning. Getting shots like this takes a bit of work—I’m using back-button focusing and continuous autofocus tracking on my Canon T7 to make sure I don't miss the moment when they push off from the rocks.

To freeze that wing movement, you really have to keep your shutter speed up. It’s all about managing the exposure triangle so you have enough light for a fast shutter without losing detail in the feathers.

These birds are such a staple of our local ecosystem here in the Whittier Narrows area, and watching their movement is a great reminder of why I’m constantly looking to upgrade to a 500mm or 600mm lens to get even closer to these interactions.

07/07/2026

Catching the local workers during the morning rush hour. 🐝✨

​Spent the Fourth of July over at my father's house, and while everyone else was getting ready for the holiday, I got completely locked into this little universe happening right in the garden. I spent ages tracking this honeybee darting through the purple blooms, trying to catch that perfect moment of focus in the morning light.

​It's wild what you notice when you actually pause and look.

​What did everyone else get up to for the Fourth? Let me know below! 👇

​(Or just drop a 🌸 or a 🐝 if you're just here for the macro shots!)

​

06/26/2026

Calling All LA Gardeners! 🌿📸
Are you nurturing a beautiful vegetable or fruit garden right here in the Los Angeles area? Do you have a lovely green space that you’re proud of?

I’m David Levy, a professional photographer, and I am looking to expand my portfolio by capturing the natural beauty found in our local backyards. Whether it's the vibrant colors of fresh produce or the peaceful atmosphere of a well-tended garden, I would love the opportunity to come by and photograph your space!

In exchange for letting me practice my craft and build my portfolio, I’d be happy to share the final edited images with you.

If you are interested in having your garden featured, please send me a message! Let’s capture the magic growing in your backyard together.

06/26/2026

Calling All LA Gardeners! 🌿📸

Are you nurturing a beautiful vegetable or fruit garden right here in the Los Angeles area? Do you have a lovely green space that you’re proud of?

I’m David Levy, a professional photographer, and I am looking to expand my portfolio by capturing the natural beauty found in our local backyards. Whether it's the vibrant colors of fresh produce or the peaceful atmosphere of a well-tended garden, I would love the opportunity to come by and photograph your space!

In exchange for letting me practice my craft and build my portfolio, I’d be happy to share the final edited images with you.

If you are interested in having your garden featured, please send me a message! Let’s capture the magic growing in your backyard together.

06/19/2026

Feeling overwhelmed in the concrete jungle? What if your wall decor could cure your burnout? 🤯

Science says: gazing at nature photography isn't just about matching pillows. It's your personal, stress-busting visual multivitamin. 💊🌲

Over 80% of us are trapped in urban grids, suffering from serious 'nature deficit.' When did you last feel real dirt? Blame the smog, not your busy schedule! 😉

Your brain doesn't know the difference between the real thing and a powerful image! Staring at nature scenes—especially calming blues and greens—activates your 'rest & digest' nervous system, creating an instant 'spa effect' right in your living room.
Check out these three powerful, therapeutic images:
Experience a sweeping, epic reset like the breathtaking, fiery sunset sweeping across the immense cliffs of the Grand Canyon. It's awe-inspiring scope that clears mental fatigue.
Find your zen moment with the tranquil elegance of a snowy egret reflected in calm, green-tinged waterway ripples. Studies prove visual breaks featuring water actively lower blood pressure.
Or focus your mind with the intricate beauty and vivid contrast of a Monarch butterfly resting on delicate yellow wildflowers. Healing images of nature, like a delicate butterfly, restore attention and promote wellness.

Turn your sterile indoor space into a sanctuary! Combine these visual anchors with natural sounds and an essential oil diffuser (think cedarwood or lavender) for the ultimate, multisensory 'nature fix' survival kit. 🏔️✨

Ready to feel the difference? Your next great outdoor adventure is waiting on your wall.

View Original Post Link In Comments

Which of these three stunning scenes makes you feel *instantly* calmer? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

06/12/2026

A Morning with the Speedsters 🌸

I finally managed to capture one of these little speedsters in action! Here is a shot from a recent outing here in El Monte.

These birds are incredibly elusive and fast. Because their markings are so similar, it is notoriously difficult to distinguish between an Allen's and a Rufous hummingbird in the field, so we often refer to them broadly as Selasphorus species or just Allen's/Rufous. Catching them in flight is a fun challenge for any nature photographer—check out the detail in my recent photo.

Fun Facts & A Call to Action:

Masters of Hovering: Hummingbirds are the only birds capable of sustained hovering. They are true aerobatic experts, capable of flying forward, backward, and even upside down!

High-Octane Metabolism: They possess the highest metabolism of any homeothermic animal. To keep their energy levels up, they have to feed every 10–15 minutes throughout the day.

Conservation Status: While Allen's hummingbirds have successfully adapted to urban environments in Southern California, the species as a whole faces broader challenges from habitat loss and climate change.

How You Can Help:

Even if you only have a balcony or a small garden, you can make a difference for our local hummingbirds:

Plant Native: Choose native, nectar-rich plants (like hummingbird sage or native salvias) to provide a sustainable food source.

Ditch the Pesticides: Hummingbirds rely on insects and spiders for protein, especially when raising young. Avoiding pesticides ensures they have a healthy, natural diet.

Provide Water: Hummingbirds love to bathe! A simple misting device or a shallow drip fountain can be a lifeline, especially during hot spells.

Keep Windows Safe: Position feeders at least five feet away from windows to prevent collisions.

Do you have hummingbirds visiting your garden, or do you prefer to head out to local spots like the San Gabriel River to find them?

Let me know in the comments! 📸✨

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

This morning I had the most wonderful surprise during my walk by the river right here in El Monte! 🤍 I managed to photograph this stunning Snowy Egret with my Canon T7. Look at its incredible breeding plumes and, if you look closely at its feet stepping onto the debris, you can see its signature yellow "golden slippers"! 🦶

I was struck by how such an elegant bird was calmly foraging right next to some old wire baskets and scraps—a powerful reminder of how nature finds a way to thrive. It just stood there, poised and graceful, waiting for a fish.
This image is one of my favorite captures of the year so far for DL Photography. Nature is truly awe-inspiring, right on our doorstep.

Have you ever spotted a Snowy Egret, or what’s the most beautiful bird you've seen in your neighborhood? Share your stories or drop a photo in the comments below! 👇

06/09/2026

📸 Perspective is everything when you're out in the wild! 🌿

​Ever wonder how a simple shift in your physical position can completely change the story of your nature photography? As you can see in my photograph, changing your height fundamentally alters how you connect with your subject.

​Here is a quick breakdown of how two different camera angles can transform your shots:

​1. 🛑 Standing Up: The Eye-Level Shot
​The Vibe: Natural, observant, and expansive.
​How it works: This is our default human perspective. It’s perfect for capturing grand landscapes, tracking wildlife at a distance, or framing a wide field of wildflowers.

​Pro-Tip: As shown on the right side of image.png, keeping your camera at eye level lets you easily scan the horizon and use a telephoto lens to lock onto subjects further away.

​2. 🪵 Kneeling/Crouching: The Low-Angle Shot
​The Vibe: Immersive, intimate, and dramatic.
​How it works: Dropping down low forces the viewer into a world they usually walk right past. It gives small subjects massive presence and brings the foreground into sharp focus.

​Pro-Tip: Look at the left side of this photograph —getting down on the ground allows you to look across or up at hidden gems, like a cluster of wild mushrooms on a fallen log, rather than just shooting down at them. It instantly makes the forest floor feel epic.

​Which angle do you find yourself using more often when you're out hiking? Do you prefer the grand view from above, or do you like getting your boots dirty to find the hidden details? 👇 Drop your thoughts (or your favorite nature shots) in the comments!

​

06/08/2026

When a Rough Day Ends in Paradise 🌺✨
We’ve all had those days. The kind where you leave the office feeling absolutely grueling, your brain is fried, and all you want to do is crawl into bed. I was on my weary way home today, completely checked out, when this absolute stunner caught my eye.

Say hello to the Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae).
Even after 6 years of hauling heavy DSLR bodies and massive telephoto lenses through the wild, nature still finds a way to humble me—and this time, it happened right on the urban roadside, captured on nothing more than my phone.

📸 Pro-Tip for Smartphone Nature Shots:
When you don’t have your pro rig with you, you have to lean into the Art of Omission.

Simplify the Frame: With a phone, you can’t easily rely on a wide aperture (f/2.8 or lower) to beautifully blur out a messy background. Instead, physically move your body.

Change Your Angle: I got down low and angled the phone upward to use the cleaner, ambient light. This isolates the dramatic, crane-like silhouette of the flower against a less distracting backdrop.

It just goes to show: The best camera is the one you have with you. Nature doesn't care if you're exhausted; it keeps showing off anyway. Sometimes, a little roadside paradise is exactly what the soul needs to reset.