Diann Mistelske grew up in Amish country, Ohio and spent her younger years obsessively drawing pictures and riding horses. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Cleveland Institute of Art, majoring in Photography and minoring in Jewelry & Metals. While in art school, she completed a study abroad program at the Burren College of Art in County Clare, Ireland, and ended up staying in the area for more than a year, working at a local stable and gaining access to a portal into Irish life most outsiders never see.

Serving as the last official staff photographer for the Cleveland Free Times in 2001-2002, Diann rounded out her photographic skills, shooting everything from food to political events, formal portraits to rock concerts. Among the musicians and groups she has photographed in concert are Patti Smith, U2, David Byrne, BB King, The White Stripes, Sheryl Crowe, Jack Black, Radiohead, Cher, Paul McCartney, Tina Turner, and Robert Plant. She even had the very rare opportunity to capture portraits of legendary blues musician Robert Lockwood in her studio—some of her most prized portfolio images.

After the shuttering of the Cleveland Free Times, Diann and several of her colleagues started their own magazine, Urban Dialect. The glossy magazine (resembling a vinyl album cover) was beautifully designed and intelligently written. Covering local and national stories as well as music and the arts, the startup sadly survived only one year.

For 2 ½ years Diann worked as a photography instructor at the Virginia Marti College of Art and Design, sharing her professional experience, knowledge and passion for photography with students. She also has been involved with various non-profit organizations, lending her creative energy to benefit causes she believes in.

Diann now resides near Columbus, Ohio working as a freelance photographer and artist, producing photographs, jewelry and fine art in her new studio.