Jon Luvelli
#181,436 Most Popular
About
Renowned street photographer known as the "Monochromatic Master, recognized for hie powerful black-and-white candid images that capture the hidden stories of rural America. His work merges fine art and documentary photography, earning him international recognition and exhibitions in prestigious galleries and collections.
Before Fame
His passion for photography was inspired by his grandfather, a photographer and U.S. Navy Seabee who documented his service during World War II. His early years were spent exploring rural environments in Middle America, developing the observational skills that would define his photography. During the 1990s and early 2000s, he ghostwrote lyrics for various R&B artists, contributing to multiple songs while dedicating most of his time to photography.
Trivia
He coined the term "Fine Art Documentarian" to describe his fusion of
fine art and documentary photography, redefining the boundaries of
street photography. He was tested with a 187 IQ and found to have more
gamma bursts in the frontal and parietal cortices of the brain than the
average human, a trait linked to heightened creativity and
problem-solving abilities. He is one of the highest-selling street
photographers in history, with single pieces commanding record-breaking
prices, and was the first known street photographer to sell an NFT on
the blockchain in 2021.
Family Life
He was born in Italy to a 15-year-old Italian father and a 14-year-old Italian-African-American mother, who passed away during childbirth. At six days old, he was
adopted by an English couple and brought to the United States, where he was raised in Middle
America. His adoptive mother was a college professor, and his adoptive father was a land
developer. His diverse cultural background played a role in shaping his view of the world and
his photographic focus on overlooked communities.
Associated With
His work has drawn comparisons to legendary photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange, Weegee, Robert Frank, and Walker Evans. Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and Low Latent Inhibition, he shares this rare cognitive profile with figures like Edgar Allan Poe, Bobby Fischer and Sir Isaac Newton.
