Today we’d like to introduce you to Orphée L. Okito.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m a creative director, photographer, educator, and documentary filmmaker. I’ve always been passionate about storytelling in all its forms, and over the years, that passion has shaped my path in some incredible ways.
I was born in Brussels and spent some of my early years in the Congo before settling in Montreal, where I studied sound engineering and later pursued a degree in Commercial Photography at Dawson College. That’s really where everything clicked for me creatively—photography became more than just an image; it became a tool to connect, communicate, and inspire.
After school, I had the chance to be part of the leadership team at The Image Salon, one of the top photo editing companies in North America. One of my proudest contributions was launching and leading the Airbnb photography department, which grew from a small team of 5 photographers into a network of over 100. That project eventually evolved into what many now know as Airbnb Plus.
I recently moved to West Palm Beach and have been slowly finding my rhythm here—exploring new creative ventures and making meaningful connections in a new city. It’s an exciting new chapter, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it leads.
At the heart of everything I do is a love for people and storytelling. Whether I’m behind the camera or teaching others, my goal is always to create work that feels honest, thoughtful, and human.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not a smooth road at all—but I think that’s part of the beauty of the journey. One of the biggest challenges for me was finding my voice in an industry that often feels oversaturated, especially when you’re starting out and don’t really know anyone. It can be tough to stand out when you’re trying to break into spaces like fashion or commercial photography, where things often feel gatekept or out of reach.
I’ve always loved those areas, but it took time for me to find my own way in. I started focusing more on freelancing for local businesses, and that opened the door to meaningful work that felt aligned with who I am. At the same time, I began sharing what I was learning through teaching and mentoring other photographers—and that’s been incredibly rewarding.
Every bump in the road has taught me something valuable, and I think those struggles have helped shape my perspective. They’ve reminded me to stay grounded, be patient, and keep showing up with intention.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
That’s always a tricky question for me because I’ve worn many creative hats over the years. I started my journey early on in pedagogy and music, which naturally led me into sound engineering, music production, videography, and eventually photography and filmmaking. Each chapter of my creative path has built on the last, and I’ve come to realize that I’m not just one of those things—I’m all of them combined.
Some people first met me as a singer, others as a sound engineer or educator. In recent years, many have connected with me through my photography, filmmaking, or teaching. What I’ve noticed is that people tend to know me based on the season they discovered me in—and I love that. It’s a reminder that my work has evolved, and so have I.
That’s why I’ve embraced the title of creative director. Not because of the title itself, but because it best reflects the way I approach my work today. Whether I’m leading a documentary project, shooting a fashion campaign, directing a commercial, or mentoring up-and-coming creatives—I bring all those past experiences with me. I’m proud of the fact that I can move between disciplines and still bring clarity, quality, and heart to the work. I think what sets me apart is that my creative process is always rooted in intention and in genuinely connecting with people.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My journey has been a bit different—I had access to great teachers during school, but once that chapter ended, I didn’t really have a go-to mentor I could turn to consistently. A lot of what I’ve learned came from being hands-on, figuring things out on my own, and just doing the work. I’ve always had that go-getter spirit. I love building things, collaborating with others, and helping people however I can, and in a way, those experiences shaped me more than any formal mentorship ever could.
That said, if someone’s looking for a mentor, I think the first step is really figuring out your creative voice—what you love, the kind of work that lights you up. Once you have that clarity, it becomes easier to recognize people whose work aligns with your vision. It doesn’t matter if you know them personally at first. Whether it’s through Instagram, YouTube, or other platforms, find someone whose work inspires you—someone who’s a few steps ahead of where you want to be.
It’s less about their personality and more about the consistency and intention behind their work. From there, engage with what they put out, support them, ask thoughtful questions. You don’t need to force a mentorship—sometimes, just consistently showing up and learning from a distance can be just as powerful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.orpheeokito.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orpheeokito
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@orpheeokito
