Published Commercial / Editorial Photographer

Die-hard Nikon nut since 1979.

Began shooting at 10, now in my 70s.

All photos are mine, always. All Photos ©Don Risi

Originally from Westchester County, NY.

Based in Oklahoma since 1968.

At the age of 10, I was introduced to two things that would change my life -- theatre and photography. Theatre came in the form of a school play, and the photography bug bit when my mom allowed me to take her Kodak Brownie, with one 12 exposure roll of film, on a class field trip.

I bought my first 35mm SLR in 1965. It was branded and purchased from Sears, Roebuck, & Co, but I have no idea who actually made it. It was what a poor high school kid could afford. After high school and college, where I majored in theatrical lighting and set design, most of my working life was spent in the theatre, but I always had my cameras close at hand.

I purchased my first Nikon - a Nikon FM with an MD-11 motor drive - in 1979, followed soon after with a second. I have been a die-hard Nikon nut since.

After retirement from theatre work, I turned to photography exclusively, and spent a number of years working as an assignment photographer for a local lifestyle magazine, where I photographed several covers and countless feature articles (donrisi.wixsite.com/mysite/tear-sheets-1). At one point, I had just shy of 50 images in one single issue, spread over several articles. It was some of the most fun and inspirational work I've ever had in any industry, and I cherish the memories of time spent with wonderful colleagues and friends.

Several years ago, I retired again, and except for a couple of commercial clients, I now shoot just for myself, although I am not above selling a print or two to anyone who asks. I love traveling about the USA with my wife, photographing what I can where I can. We love our beautiful national parks, but are game for almost anything.

My favorite subjects are landscapes and architecture, especially in Black & White. There is something about the emotions that come through a Black & White image that really speak to me. Don't get me wrong, I do love color, but for me the color has to make a statement of its own (such as images taken in Autumn).

You can see more of my previous work, including my professional commercial and editorial images, as well as personal stuff, at my website (www.donrisi.com) (which sadly doesn't get updated any longer due to exorbitantly high fees by the host). For more recent images, take a look at my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/DonRisi.Photography), which does get updated whenever I have something I think is worthy of being shared. I have recently reactivated my old Flickr account, to be found at www.flickr.com/photos/donrisi/.

I may not be the greatest, most widely known photographer in the world, but I do love shooting. There is always at least one camera at hand. As the saying goes, I "never leave home without it."