About the Photographer

Odell Mitchell, Jr. became interested in photography at age 17 when an older brother brought back a camera from Vietnam. After college, he became a photojournalist, formerly working for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for twenty-four years. His shooting philosophy is don’t pose, just shoot, to capture the truth and reality of the moment. Odell is inducted in the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame. He is also honored by the Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists as a Living Legend. His award-winning photos have been published in national magazines, books, and exhibits. He lives in O'Fallon, Illinois with his wife, Linda. Please visit his website at www.odellmitchelljr.com