CM“’Gorgeous’ embraces individuality and promotes equality with Art.” — ROB LEBOW
Rob Lebow grew up in San Francisco and moved to Los Angeles where he began a career as a photo editor assistant at Warner Bros. Pictures and then photo editor at 20th Century Fox film studios. After 25 years worth of experience shooting commercial advertising and lifestyle portraiture—Rob decided it was time for a change and moved Palm Springs. “Photography has always been a passion,” said Lebow. “It was great for me—there was never really competition, I just felt like I was doing my thing. I just needed a change—I was working in advertising—I reached a point where I got burnt out a little bit and came to Palm Springs to recoup. I think Palm Springs can be what you make of it—I can focus on my work.”
About two years ago, Rob Lebow attended a drag queen show at Toucan’s Tiki Lounge in Palm Springs and says he was totally inspired. The creative spark worked like an elixir and fueled a two-year project comprising of thousands of images and interviews that were eventually edited down to approximately 200 photos for a book titled ‘GORGEOUS.’ “I was always shooting for someone else,” Lebow expressed. But ‘GORGEOUS’ allowed Rob to pursuit something on a more personal level. “It was about doing something from my heart and what I’m passionate about—it’s a whole other game when you’re shooting for yourself rather than pleasing someone else.” What began as a drag queen project suddenly evolved to include, artists, transexuals, gender benders, advocates, performers plus interviews. “I was more concerned about telling a story and making people proud.” Rob Lebow sought out to do something no one has ever seen before and describes his photographic approach as “classic, iconic, fine art.” Rob Lebow’s study of beauty and gender was intended to educate, entertain and empower. “I feel, there is a gender movement happening—blurring the lines, but also people not being so hung up about gender—right now, it’s about erasing all the judgment.”
Although the project did not always come easy, Rob’s persistence paid off. “I got a lot of rejection from people—a lot of people I didn’t know and trying to convince them—I sent out a lot of letters and links to my website.” Eventually, Rob Lebow also discovered a great deal about himself through the project, “They are so self-aware of who they are and proud,” Lebow said. “I think the book relates to a lot of people, because everyone goes through identity issues — just embracing who you are.”
On November 2014, Rob Lebow exhibited images from ‘GORGEOUS’ for its debut show at Gallery 446, in celebration of the 2014 Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival. Now Rob Lebow is seeking out publishing opportunities.
BOOK: GORGEOUS
PHOTOGRAPHER: ROB LEBOW
WEB: KROP.COM/ROBLEBOW