Meet Larry Hanelin | Physician and Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Larry Hanelin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Larry, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I think that it chose me. My father set up a darkroom in an old wood shed in our home when I was 8 years old. Watching a print develop was one of the most fascinating things I can remember from my childhood. Over time I became enamored with making photographs of all things that I wanted to record and share. Now at the age of 80 nothing has changed. I am still following my heart.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My best work has been working with people particularly people in motion. I have loved dance and photographing the graceful movements of dancers, their energy and interactions with each other. I have concentrated on performance photography rather than posed images because they reflect the beauty of the dancers movements in a meaningful way. I began my career by doing photography without any compensation and as I improved I was asked to do more and more work with a variety of companies. My work has morphed as I became more facile with my cameras and working in post. More recently I have had great experiences working with Tucson bands. I want the people that I have photographed to know that I have tried my best to represent them in the best way that I could and hope that the images are lifelong memories of their magnificent efforts.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Sabino Canyon, The Loop, The San Javier Mission. I would take them on a bike trip on the Loop and afterwards enjoy the restaurants and music at St Philips Plaza. I would take them to Monterey Court for music and drinks.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents and wife. The photographers Bryan Peterson, Peter Hurley, Laurie Klein, Theresa Airey, Rikki Cook, Dewitt Jones, Johnathon Kingston. The Tucson Dance community which has been a major inspiration in my work and has supported me over the years. In particular the dance program at the University of Arizona, New Articulations, Zuzi theater, Esperanza Dance Project and University High School Dance department. Also Tucson bands including the Amosphere and OnesAll. All of the individuals that I have had the pleasure of working with have inspired me in different ways.