Art Streiber
© Steven Spielberg
About
Art Streiber (artstreiber.com) is a Los Angeles-based freelance photographer specializing in portrait, reportage, entertainment, and advertising photography. His editorial clients include Vanity Fair, Entertainment Weekly, GQ, ESPN and the New York Times Magazine and his entertainment clients include a number of network, cable and digital networks and all of the major movie studios. At the beginning of his career, Streiber served as co-bureau chief for Fairchild Publications in Milan, Italy, where he contributed to Women’s Wear Daily, W magazine, and M magazine. Streiber currently serves on the Board of the Los Angeles Center of Photography. For the last decade, Streiber’s imagery has been selected to appear in American Photography and Communication Arts Photography Annual. He is inspired by the great portrait, fashion and documentary photographers of the mid 20th Century. Streiber was introduced to photography in middle school by his grandfather, an avid amateur with his own darkroom. Streiber has a BA in Communications from Stanford University.
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LACP Interviews Art Streiber
LACP asks Art Strieber ten questions about his background, career in and beliefs about photography
Los Angeles Center of Photography: What kind of photographer are you?
Art Streiber: I am a portrait and reportage photographer.
LACP: How long have you been shooting?
AS: I have been a professional photographer since 1985 or 31 years.
LACP: Where did you get your training?
AS: I was the photography editor of my high school yearbook and newspaper. I was the photography editor of my college newspaper for 2 years. I worked in a small camera store during the summer when I was in high school. I interned at the Riverside Press Enterprise and Life Magazine. I had a traineeship at the Los Angeles times. I was the staff photographer for WWD and W Magazines in Los Angeles for 2 years and was the co-bureau chief and staff photographer in their Milan Bureau for 4 years.
LACP: When did you know you wanted to devote your life to photography?
AS: When I was in college I realized that I loved the magic and the process of photography and wanted to make it my life’s work.
LACP: Did you ever come close to giving up?
AS: No, fortunately.
LACP: Have you sacrificed anything by being a photographer?
AS: I have missed a few soccer games and family dinners but nothing major. I make sure I’m home for all of the important stuff.
LACP: What have you gained by being a photographer?
AS: I’ve gained a lot of insight into the way humans work and interact both on my crews, within my clients’ organizations as well as my subjects’ companies. I’ve met remarkable people, again, on my crew and amongst my clients and subjects.
LACP: What classes do you teach at LACP?
AS: I teach “Behind The Scenes” on my editorial photography shoots, essentially, I teach problem solving.
LACP: What do you love most about teaching?
AS: I love seeing the light bulb go on in the eyes of the students, watching them understand something for the first time.
LACP: What advice would you give someone who is thinking about making a career in photography?
AS: 1. Have money in the bank. You might not be paid for a job for 60 or 90 days.
2. Stay organized. Run a tight ship. Do your homework.
3. Stay balanced. Work hard and play hard.
4. Make it easy on your clients. They are more stressed then you are.
5. Act like a professional and bring old-school graciousness to our profession.