Washington Individuals: Joe Angeles – The Source

It’s the morning of Commencement, and Joe Angeles, director of images in University Marketing & Communications, is double-checking his digicam gear. Come rain or shine, he’s ready to seize all of it: the grins, the tears and the backdrop of a vigorous campus.

Over the previous 37 years, Angeles has been the “guy with a camera,” photographing Washington University in St. Louis’ most memorable moments. Through headshots, candid occasion photographs and campus photos, he brings out the most effective of WashU. 

Yet for Angeles, the relationships he has constructed throughout his time right here have been simply as necessary as getting the right shot. His capacity to direct the themes behind his lens is a present in itself. 

“Some people feel like having their picture taken is worse than a trip to the dentist, but if you get them to talk about other things, they lighten up,” Angeles stated. “So my gift of gab helps.”

Angeles considers the reward a household trait, having grown up in a south St. Louis county residence stuffed with laughter and love.

Angeles was raised by a Spanish father and a Polish mom, navigating their cultural backgrounds whereas integrating into American life. During his early years, his mother and father would take Joe and his older brother, Tony, to take pleasure in “America’s pastime” by the use of the St. Louis Cardinals. Angeles loved watching gamers just like the late nice Lou Brock, however motion off the sector additionally caught his consideration.

“When I went to those games, I would always look and see where the photographers were,” Angeles stated. “Even before I had a camera, I thought it was something I’d like to do, and I have great visualization skills.”

In highschool, Angeles was concerned with the college radio station and wrote for the college newspaper. As he developed his journalistic chops, he held on to his curiosity in images. Between his sophomore and junior years at Missouri Southern State University, he bought two cameras and three lenses whereas working as an assistant newspaper editor.

“We had a dark room, and I figured I could go shoot a couple gigs,” Angeles recalled. “I bought the gear, took a basic photo, and that’s how it started.”

After commencement, Angeles labored as a contract photographer for numerous publications. One day, he observed an advert within the newspaper for a employees photographer place at WashU. What adopted is a profession that almost all would envy, as Angeles has coated presidential debates, historic sports activities moments, chancellor inaugurations and world-renowned Commencement audio system.

A dedication to Commencement

“I didn’t realize this until about 20 years after my graduation,” Angeles stated tearfully. “My dad was waxing on and on about my Commencement speaker. Then I realized, it’s a big day for your family. I was lucky. I had a job, but I didn’t have to pay for my college education. My parents did. And if a student ever tells me they’re not walking, I tell them that they have to. It’s not for you, it’s for your family.”

This perspective permits Angeles to be each bodily and mentally current for the college’s large day. After all, he was there when Chancellor Emeritus Bill Danforth would present up brilliant and early for the day, lengthy after he concluded his time period as chancellor. He was there when former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright made time to take footage with college students following her Commencement handle in 2003. 

And he was there when U.S. Rep. John Lewis captivated the viewers on Brookings Quadrangle along with his speech in 2016.

“There were 15,000 people murmuring, so there was a little hum,” he recalled. “Lewis was so forceful, and there were pauses in his speech. I took my head out of my camera, turned around, and everyone was listening to him. It was so quiet I could hear the birds chirp. It was unbelievable.”

Angeles not solely takes delight in capturing the ceremony, but in addition what occurs behind the scenes. He remembers gymnast Simone Biles taking a particular picture with a college trustee.

“Maxine Clark says to me, ‘Joe, if you see me with her, can you get a picture of us? I’m going to be taller than the greatest athlete of all time.’ … I see her come up, and Maxine says something to her, and Simone laughs and hugs her. And the next thing I know, Simone takes off one of her shoes, drops down next to Maxine and gets a picture taken with her so that Maxine’s taller than her.”

Such moments don’t occur each day. “I got to be next to one of the greatest athletes of all time. I don’t think there’ll ever be an athlete like her in my lifetime again.”

For the love of the sport

The connection of sports activities and images has adopted Angeles all through his profession. During his time at WashU, he watched the volleyball workforce win its first championship and labored with Nancy Fahey throughout her record-setting run of victories as coach of the ladies’s basketball workforce. As a former athlete, he not solely enjoys capturing athletic occasions, however he respects the groups as nicely.

“When men’s basketball won their first title in 2008, I went with them. Because I played sports, I didn’t want to come in there and act like I was part of the team. I’ll never forget Mark Edwards, former coach of the team, and all his players were so kind to me. They let me climb the ladder and cut down the net. I always carry that piece of net in my camera bag.”

Stepping into the body

For Angeles, being a photographer is not only about working a digicam, it’s about being a superb particular person. His position on the college has afforded him the chance to construct strong relationships with colleagues resembling Pamella A. Henson, govt vice chancellor for college development.

“Joe’s sharp humor, calm presence and remarkable ability to put anyone at ease have made him not just a talented photographer, but a trusted colleague and friend to so many,” Henson stated. “His deep institutional knowledge and steady hand in even the most challenging situations have been invaluable. He leaves behind a legacy not just in images, but in the relationships and respect he built across the university.”

As Angeles seems towards the top of his time at WashU, he embraces the considered extra time along with his favourite picture topics: his spouse, Lisa, daughter, Emily, and grandchildren. Soon, he’ll be capable of benefit from the individuals he holds pricey within the metropolis he loves — whether or not that’s daytime dates along with his spouse on the St. Louis Art Museum or snow sledding along with his grandchildren on Art Hill. Angeles plans to formally commerce in his digicam lenses for golf golf equipment in February. In his position on the college, he has rubbed shoulders with individuals in all kinds of roles on campus, in addition to guests.

“The best thing about being here has been working with all my colleagues in the building, and everybody from the folks in Facilities, the chancellors and the trustees,” Angeles stated. “We do great work. We tell the university’s story.”

When you step into Angeles’ workplace, you might be surrounded by charming images that span a long time. Each picture on his wall is framed with care and positioned with precision, telling a particular story about his time on the university. Take a visit down reminiscence lane as he shares a few of the favourite pictures from his career.