Working Professional Photographer and Teacher for over 15 years

Don O.

My name is Don, I'm a full time working professional photographer. I've taught photography since 2007 through a variety of cultural institutions including Phipps Conservatory and the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, I currently see students with special needs through the State Office of Vocational Services and have worked with a variety of students over the years in a wide variety of settings.

I'm an event and portrait photographer who spends a great deal of my free time doing nature and fine art photography. I really do live, eat, and breath photography. More importantly I understand how to teach about it in a fun, practical, and impactful way.

I myself have ADHD and mild auditory processing issues. I've also taught students independently, through the state as a contractor, and in schools. I've worked with children and adults who are neurodivergent and have a solid understanding of how to teach neurodivergent students. I'm empathetic, direct, and patient. I know concepts take time to learn and I always give my students the time they need. Photography is very mathematical as well as creative so I often blend the two. Relying on the mathematics to help students understand how to practically create photos while also helping them to use photography to tell the stories that they have inside of themselves.

I fell in love with art at a very young age. I would sit and watch my neighbor, a portrait painter, for hours. It was the only activity I could sit still for. I gravitated towards art in school and earned my degree in photography in 2001. As a full time working professional I use photoshop every day. I take professional photos nearly daily, and teach photography to several students every week. I worked for two years developing, writing, directing, editing, and producing an online show with the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh on Maker Culture called the Makeshop Show. Some videos are still available on Youtube. I still produce some video footage and edit my video work for clients.

Wherever you are in your