Russell Levin, born and raised in California, became involved in photography at a very early age. Learning photography from his father, he developed and printed his first roll of film at the age of ten. His education was furthered when at the age of 14 he spent a year in Mexico with his father. His father was a guest teacher at the Art Institute in San Miguel de Allende. Russell spent time photographing the bullfights, and quickly developed a passion for photographing people and action images. In high school Russell worked for the school newspaper/year book in addition to shooting sports for the local newspaper. Within a short time, Russell was receiving assignments from the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Jose Mercury. Before turning twenty, he had over 1000 photographs published in newspapers through out the state.
In 1972 Russell passed up a rare scholarship to California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. Instead he decided to continue working at a local camera store, eventually becoming the manager. During this time Russell had the privilege of meeting and getting to know local photographers such as Ansel Adams, Brett Weston, Steve Crouch, and Henry Gilpin. In 1982 Russell opened up his own camera store and was a major supplier to the local photographers. Unfortunately in 1990 his camera store burned to the ground. But within 10 days a make shift location was opened and Russell was in business again.

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