About WDO Photography

Origins of Pittsburgh Photographer Don Orkoskey

My story begins in the rolling hills and valleys of West Virginia with a 110 film camera and a desire to understand the world and people in it. I grew up in a middle class family. This afforded me the space and to fall in love with telling stories. On holidays and birthdays I wanted to be the one pressing the shutter on my mom's Polaroid 600. In addition, I was constantly creating visual stories from all sorts of mediums but mostly via drawings and paintings.

Freedom of Expression

At the age of 12 my parents separated. Then my mom lost her "good job" that helped us live a nice comfortable life. I ended up having a lot of adventures as a latchkey Xenial kid with virtually no supervision. Ultimately, I believe my time without anyone paying attention to me afforded me more time to dream and explore the world creatively.

In high school I took a photography class and was really hooked on it. I loved how it allowed me to be creative, tell stories, and explore the world. Everything I was seeing and feeling could fairly easily be recorded - I feel in love with photography!

A Photographer's Work Ethic

At 15 I began to work in a factory that rebuilt transmission and engine coolers for large trucks and construction equipment. As a result, I got to see some of the uglier sides of life there. For example, the poverty that so many working class people deal with daily. Fun fact, the owner of the factory that I worked in dropped out of the WV Governor's race after it became publicly known that most of his employees were on government assistance due to their poverty wages.

Lessons Learned

Just before I turned 18 my whole shift was fired for "stealing time" as we'd taken a slightly longer break than we were supposed to. The funny thing was we'd been doing it for months. Despite that, we processed around 100 units each evening. The day-shift averaged 20 units. Then, a few weeks after they fired us they began to lose big customers because they couldn't keep up with demand. That entire experience taught me a lot of valuable lessons. However, the lesson I value the most is this: focus on meeting the need. The process and how it's done matters far less than the results. Also, if people are treated well and allowed some autonomy to make decisions, they'll feel better and do better work.

Pittsburgh Professional Photographer

After my experiences in that factory I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. Of course, I knew what I didn't want to do. As a result of my photography class when my mom asked what I'm doing to do with my life after I graduate high school I decided to study photography.

Pittsburgh Photographer

Before becoming a photographer in Pittsburgh my mom insisted that I get a photography degree. I didn't do much research into schools. In fact, I had a sales rep from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh come to one of my classes and tell us all how cool the place was. So, I didn't look to see if there were less expensive or better options and off I went to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. It turns out that the instructors were truly wonderful. I did learn a lot. That said, the administration, and the parent company, now closed due to committing massive amounts of fraud, were horrible.

Despite the predatory school I learned photography in Pittsburgh, fell in love with the city, and began to work here for other Pittsburgh photographers. I did continue my photography education at Point Park University and at the University of Pittsburgh. However, I didn't finish at either of those schools. It turns out, undiagnosed ADHD makes learning much harder.

Working As A Professional Photographer in Pittsburgh

Even before graduating I began to work for other photographers in Pittsburgh. I did most every type of photography. I worked as a photojournalist for the suburban Pittsburgh newspapers, now owned by the Tribune Review. Also, I worked for some of Pittsburgh's best commercial photographers and a handful of great event photographers in Pittsburgh. Too, I worked as a second photographer for weddings and photography assistant for family photographers.

Founding WDO Photography in Pittsburgh

After working for other Pittsburgh photographers I struck out on my own in 2007. I founded WDO Photography and began taking on any photography work I could find. At the time this was mostly family photos, senior portraits, and weddings. Then, I got a contract to do photography for colleges and universities. Plus, I began to do sports photography for another Pittsburgh photographer who has the kids sports photography market nailed down.

Commercial Photography in Pittsburgh

As the years past I began to take on more commercial work. As happens, I met and ended up working with a number of great marketers who hired me for jobs that let me shine. Increasingly I found myself drawn towards photographing small businesses.

Over time I've learned how to identify the marketing needs of these small business owners. Too, I've come to understand what they're looking for in customers and how to help them get there with great photography.

Event Photography in Pittsburgh

Along with the commercial photography, I took on more event photography as time progressed. In fact, event photography grew into one of my main sources of income for most of the 2010s. During and since that time I have photographed countless conferences, conventions, meetings, pressers, product launches, and more. Today, post Covid, events are once again picking up. As such, if you're looking for an event photographer in Pittsburgh I would love to hear from you.

Pittsburgh Photographer Don Orkoskey

So, here I am nearly 25 years after moving to and establishing myself as a Pittsburgh photographer. Time hasn't diminished my love for what I do. In fact, every time I pick up my camera I look to improve my skills. Plus, I fall in love with being a Pittsburgh photographer all over.

I love to meet new people, hear about their lives, and to create photographs with them. I truly love being a Pittsburgh photographer.

The Personal Life of a Pittsburgh Photographer

Today, I live in Swissvale with my wife Zhanna and our cat Glasha. I like to be involved in my community. I ran a nonprofit for several years during a particularly difficult time for the organization. With help we managed to pull it out of a nosedive and get it set on the right track. That's because I'm a problem solver and am dedicated to doing things right.

When I'm not taking photos for clients I'm often in the woods creating fine art nature photos, or teaching others photography. If not that, I'm on the soccer field playing pickup football with people from all over the world.

Additionally, I love languages and cultures. I still know some ASL (American Sign Language), can speak a tiny bit of Spanish, and I'm learning Russian, (my wife's native language). Too, I care deeply about social justice, liberation, immigrant's right, and the plight of displaced people the world over.

Today & Tomorrow

Today I'm looking to do more advocacy and conservation photography. My goal is to tell stories about the places I love and the threats they face. Additionally, I'm teaching more private lessons. However, my goal is to work more with kids and groups that are often ignored, neglected, and marginalized when it comes to having their stories seen or listened to. Plus, I'm also looking to exhibit more fine art photography. You can see a list of where I've exhibited below.

Who can say what the future holds. I certainly can't. However, I can tell you that no matter what it brings I will have my camera at the ready.

ASMP Pittsburgh

In 2022 I joined the Board of Directors of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Society of Media Photographers. I was elected to the position of Secretary of the Board. In Dec. of 2023 I resigned from the board and left ASMP after another member of our board was, as I see it, the victim of a smear campaign that resulted in their resigning and leaving the organization. I will not be a party to any group that condones and allows things such as this. Therefore I resigned as both a board and general member.

To be clear, I am still committed to advancing the market and industry. I love being a Pittsburgh photographer and love my fellow photographer in Pittsburgh.

I was proud to serve my local chapter and to work to improve the Pittsburgh photography industry and nationwide. I truly believed that ASMP Pittsburgh was dedicated to helping photographers in Pittsburgh to thrive.

However, after the situation that I witnessed, I lost faith in the national and local organization. I do feel this is a real shame. As a Pittsburgh photographer I would have hoped that we could all work together in good faith but that didn't happen.

Exhibitions

Here is a list of current and former exhibitions I've been a part of:

• POV Approaches To Nature Photography

  Pittsburgh Botanic Garden (2022): This group show featuring myself and 5 other photographers looks at nature photography from different perspectives. You can read more about the show in my blog post Discover The Best Nature Photography In Pittsburgh.

• Selfie

  The Westmoreland Museum of American Art (2014) This show was the result of a residency project working with 4th graders asking questions of self representation and the definition of self. The students provided objects that helped define who they see themselves as and want others to see them as. I photographed them and they created collages of the photos in the style of David Hockney.

• Connecting Pittsburgh

  Prague House of Photography (2009): this was an exchange showcasing photographers from Czechia and Slovakia here in Pittsburgh and a group of Pittsburgh photographers at the Prague House of Photography. Read about it in this archived Post Gazette article.