Orin Langelle is an award-winning photojournalist with over 50 years of experience, whose work spans six continents, capturing the struggles of social movements and frontline communities advocating for social justice and environmental protection.

Langelle’s photographic career began in 1972 when he covered anti-war protests at the Republican National Convention in Miami Beach, FL, for the St. Louis Outlaw, an underground newspaper. He later studied media and communications at Webster University in St. Louis, MO, before furthering his work at  the International Center of Photography in New York City. There, he was mentored by Cornell Capa, the founder of ICP, and was profoundly influenced by the legacies of iconic photographers such as Robert Capa, W. Eugene Smith, and Henri Cartier-Bresson.

For decades, Langelle focused his lens on raising awareness of Indigenous Peoples' struggles worldwide. His unique access to these communities—often in areas where other photographers and organizations were restricted—allowed him to document their stories with an intimate and compelling perspective.

Langelle’s images have appeared in major publications, including The New York Times, Time Magazine, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, La Jornada (Mexico), and USA Today. His work has also been on the covers of numerous books and magazines and featured in several documentary films. However, the majority of his career has been dedicated to the non-profit sector, where he can photograph more freely, without the constraints imposed by corporate media. This decision, he says, has never been one he has regretted.

Langelle is a co-founder of Global Justice Ecology Project (GJEP) and has also served as Media Coordinator for Global Forest Coalition. His commitment to social and ecological justice is further reflected in his 2024 photography book, “Portraits of Struggle”, which compiles decades of his powerful images.

Langelle resides in Cattaraugus County, NY, in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, with his life partner, Anne Petermann, and their two black cats, Ruti and Nestor.