Meet the Artist: Peter Larson
By Kelli Comer
“Our universe is ruled by random whim, inhabited by people who laugh at logic.” —Jeff Lindsay
Sometimes life’s biggest successes are chances taken on a whim. Cleveland photographer Peter Larson has always given his creative spark an outlet in the form of visual art, but photography was a late discovery for him.
From drawing and painting at a young age to making short films in high school, Peter—after being inspired by photographers he met in college and dabbling in photography himself—was accepted into the photography program at Ohio University his sophomore year, which led to him earning a Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication (Commercial Photography).
“The idea of being an artist was neither embraced nor discouraged while growing up,” Peter explains.
Photographer Peter Larson
“I just didn’t really consider it a viable option until college when I was trying to find my path. I wasn’t really interested in anything else other than making art.”
Peter’s work primarily focuses on people. He has shot for Nike, Google, Vice, Time Magazine and Vanity Fair, to name a few. Recently, he has also found a new muse under the sea.
“I love Costa Rica,” Peter notes. “I’ve been twice in the past year and it’s a great place to take pictures. I’m much more interested in the people and experiences than landscapes and sunsets.”
Peter recently purchased a building with some friends in the Superior Arts District, which will be more of a commercial studio. He will operate his business out of both his current studio and the new building.
An exciting opportunity presented itself to Peter, to shoot the Cleveland Cavaliers parade for Vice in 2016, right on the heels of the Cavs’ 2016 NBA Championship victory, the first major sports championship the city has earned in over 50 years. Fittingly, in an area that he calls home.
“I embraced photography kind of on a whim, but now I can’t imagine doing anything else,” Peter smiles.
To reach Peter, you can email him at peter@peterlarsonphoto.com. His studio is located within the 78th Street Studios in Cleveland, at 1305 West 80th Street, Suite 301. Peter participates in the studio’s Third Friday event every month, from 5 to 9 p.m. Find Peter on Instagram, @PeterJLarson. Visit his website at PeterLarsonPhoto.com to learn more about the artist and his work.