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At 5 a.m., while many of his classmates are still asleep, senior Wonwoo Do is often carrying cameras, lenses and tripods through the marshy woods of Huntley Meadows Park. He searches for birds, waits for the right moment and then returns home to refine each image.
Editing a single photograph in Adobe Lightroom usually takes about an hour, Do said, although an especially strong shot may require only 20 minutes.
Do began experimenting with photography in 2019 while living in Seoul, South Korea. His father gave him a digital camera shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, and Do taught himself through YouTube videos after restrictions took effect.
Having lived in three countries, he became interested in how surroundings shape daily life. His longstanding love of animals led him toward wildlife photography.
Once or twice a month, Do now photographs animals at wildlife refuges, local parks and even in his backyard. Birds are a favorite subject because a camera can reveal features that are easy to overlook, such as the small iridescent patch on a mallard’s wing.
His work has earned recognition in local and national competitions. In the FCPS Scholastic Art and Design competition, he received two Gold Keys, one Silver Key and three honorable mentions.
Those achievements also led to the FCPS Region 2 Megan Vroman Assistant Superintendent Award and an invitation to exhibit his work at Washington Dulles International Airport. For the airport’s Youth Art Walk, Do presented “Smile to the World,” a photograph of a white-breasted nuthatch whose shape reminded him of a smiling person.
His largest honor came when YoungArts named him a 2026 Winner with Distinction. Only about 170 to 180 artists received that designation from nearly 13,000 applicants. Honorees were invited to National YoungArts Week and became eligible for awards of up to $10,000.
Do built his submitted portfolio around wildlife found near his home. He connected the animals’ behavior and appearance with familiar human actions, emotions and routines. A heron eating a fish became “breakfast,” while a fox staring directly into the camera represented fear.
He also used tightly composed images to emphasize those connections. One photograph showed only a fox’s face, while the curved body of a bird suggested a smile.
“I wanted to document these common factors and compare the similarities and differences between everyday human and animal lives,” Do said.
During National YoungArts Week in Miami from Jan. 4 through Jan. 11, Do participated in workshops, heard from professional photographers and learned practical subjects including financial literacy. He also joined an outing to Miami Beach and worked with other artists on plans for a film incorporating their artwork.
A professional curator selected two of Do’s images—one featuring a frog and another a ladybug—for the week’s concluding gallery exhibition. Do spoke with visitors about the photographs’ backgrounds and meanings.
The program also introduced him to young artists working in other disciplines. Do said he made close friends and enjoyed spending a week immersed in art away from school.
Two people have been especially important to his development. His friend James, a McLean graduate and fellow wildlife photographer, introduced him to bird photography. His photography teacher, Ms. Dreon, provided computers, portfolio resources and guidance.
Do has committed to Oxford College of Emory University. Although photography will not be his primary course of study, he plans to continue pursuing it.
“I really love how the animals look,” Do said. “It’s taking a photo of a living creature that’s not a human. That part is what makes me joyful.”