Longtime PG photographer who ‘brought photos to life’
Pete Diana was more than a gifted photographer who captured some of the best and most iconic images in Pittsburgh sports for the past three decades.
He was respected and liked by all, including fellow photographers and cameramen he often jostled with on the field and in locker rooms to get a better shot.
But Mr. Diana’s professionalism stretched beyond the photography fraternity. The players and coaches he often captured in his camera lens, whether Steelers, Pirates or Penguins, knew and liked him, often developing professional relationships him.
Mr. Diana, who photographed three of the Steelers’ six Super Bowl victories and three of the Penguins’ five Stanley Cup victories for the Pittsburgh Press and Pittsburgh PostGazette, died Thursday at UPMC Presbyterian. He was 64.
“Pete brought photos to life and captured many of the biggest moments in Penguins history,” said former Penguins great Mario Lemieux, whose book, “Mario Lemieux: The Final Period,” was illustrated with Mr. Diana’s photographs. “But,as great a photographer ashe was, he was an even better person. He was such a fixture in Pittsburgh sports for
so many years. He will be missed.”
Mr. Diana was so respected he was allowed to follow former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis around his hometown during Super Bowl XL week in Detroit. He later worked on a book with the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back, “Driving Home: My Unforgettable Super Bowl Run.”
“He was incredible,” Mr. Bettis said. “The pictures that he took were just phenomenal. He had a sense of catching the right moment. That’s what was really impressive about Peter. He was never in the way, but he was part of the way.”
Mr. Diana, who lived in Ohio Township, retired from the Post-Gazette in July 2021 but never strayed far from the camera. He developed a business, GameOn Photography, that took photos of players and sports teams of many high schools and youth groups in Western Pennsylvania.
At the Post-Gazette, he photographed every Steelers game, home and away, and often would shoot two different sports in the same day. One of his favorite moments was when he would shoot a video of former Post-Gazette sports writer Ed Bouchette and this reporter on the field after every Steelers game. “Best one yet,” he would say afterevery video.
“Pete could joke around but be serious when he needed to be,” Mr. Bouchette said. “He was a good pal and someone you enjoyed being around. His photos were his legacy.”
So was jockeying with fellow photographers and television cameramen to get the best picture he could at a sporting event. Sometimes, tempers could get in the way, but never for long with Mr. Diana.
“His sense of humor is what always stood out about him,” said KDKA-TV cameraman Ian Smith. “But let’s not forget he was a tremendous photojournalist. He had an eye to capture that shot every time. His pictures will live on forever.”
“I loved Pete,” WPXI-TV cameramanMark Masa said. “We used to line up at Antonio Brown’s locker every Friday, I would stand here and Pete would stand there next to me every time. Every time Antonio Brown would use the wrong word, I’d give Pete a bump and he’d yell at me because he would start to laugh and his camera would shake.”
Mr. Diana’s passing spawned a flow of tributes on social media from fellow photographers, media members and former colleagues.
Post-Gazette columnist Ron Cook: “Pete wasn’t just a terrific photographer. He was a terrific person. Sadly, his retirement didn’t last nearly long enough.”
Talk show host Stan Savran: “Pete was as nice a guy as you’d want to meet, and as brilliant a photographer/journalist as you’ve ever seen. RIP.”
Pittsburgh-based Will Graves of the Associated Press: “Pete was a pro’s pro with a gifted eye.”
Josh Taylor of KDKA: “Very tough news to hear. Pete was one of the faces I always expected to see in any locker room for any team I covered. He was everywhere and he was one of the best pros and humans I’ve ever encountered.”
Andrew Stein, director of photography, Purdue athletics: “Pete was full of fire, a timeless sports photographer, and I wouldn’t be in sports photography without his help.”
Mr. Diana is survived by his wife, Jan, and two sons, Christopher and Nicholas.
Visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Jobe Funeral Home, 445 Beatty Road, Monroeville. A blessing service will be held Tuesday at the funeral home with a time to be determined.