Joe Angeles - Inspiring People

Director of Photo Services
WashU Marketing and Communications

I love capturing the moments and events of the life of the university with a photojournalistic eye.”

Joe Angeles, director of photography for WashU’s Marketing and Communications, takes great pride in visually telling the story of the university’s missions. He finds his work as a photographer both interesting and enjoyable, thriving in the academic atmosphere, where he puts his expertise to work documenting cutting-edge research, interacting with faculty, staff, students, and capturing our collective achievements. His long-standing connection to WashU began in August 1988 when he started as a staff photographer.

“The same year I started at WashU, I met Stacey Hightower, who was a freshman business major and a defensive back on the Bears Football Team.” Angeles said. “Recently, our paths crossed again, but now Mr. Hightower is a member of WashU’s Board of Trustees and CEO of Omnicom Specialty Marketing Group.”

The continual relationships Angeles has cultivated, and the opportunity to document the university’s missions and accomplishments, continually fuel his motivation to work at WashU. Some of his most memorable assignments are covering Final Four runs of Volleyball, Women’s Soccer and Men’s and Women’s Basketball. The Women’s Soccer team provided him with his only police escort on their motorcade. Angeles also fondly remembers WashU’s Men’s Basketball point guard, Sean Wallis, who nicknamed Angeles, “Joe LA”, during their championship run. After claiming the title, they allowed Angeles the honor of cutting a piece of the net, which lives in his camera bag to this day.

Joe and Professor Doug North outside North’s office in Eliot Hall in Oct. 2007.

For Angeles, WashU offers him unique opportunities and benefits, enabling him to cover prestigious assignments at the White House, United Nations and all debates on the WashU campus. He values the relationships he has built with faculty, staff, students, administrators, and trustees across all departments. One notable experience includes covering Professor Douglass C. North’s 1993 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences announcement and press coverage.

“On the day of the announcement, I covered North’s regularly scheduled class and an afternoon press conference with local and national media,” Angeles said. “After receiving his Nobel prize, we needed a photo of his Nobel medal. During our phone conversation, [North] said ‘come on by and get it and bring it back whenever you want’. He was always humble and gracious with my requests for his time.”

When Angeles isn’t capturing the scenes of the university, you can find him with his wife, Lisa, and enjoy a multitude of hobbies, including golf, gardening, bird watching, spending time with his grandkids and visiting museums. Angeles is an avid fan of soccer, international and domestic competitions, Formula 1 and St. Louis hometown teams.