Carol Ross Born in Philadelphia and raised in Amherst, Massachusetts, Carol Ross never left a stone unturned,
always seeking the beauty beneath the hidden. On her tenth birthday, her mother gave her a camera and it was then
that her quest for intimacy with the world began to unfold.
As both a photographer and former actor Ross has always maintained a position in front of and behind the camera.
While living in Los Angeles, Ross was featured in several commercial and print ads for Toyota, Lexus, FedEx, Nabisco,
Frito Lay, and Chevrolet. Behind the camera Ross produced two documentaries which aired on NBC. “I realized then
that I had much more to say. My profession could no longer be just about selling a product. Interviewing and capturing
people on film made me realize how many voices deserve to be heard but never get the attention.” During these
productions Ross captured intimate moments in stills with particular interest on the children.
According to Ross, “From that point forward photography became a tool. The beauty of these children and their
remaining innocence was captivating and the still camera allowed me to preserve those moments. Through the lens, I
saw a landscape designed for captivity but in the forefront, a child whose heart was still free to soar. As a result of that
experience I find now that my visual approach is to provide a deeper look into what could be ultimately healing. In my
work I seek to challenge angles and break conventional technical rules, always searching for new ways to view and
interpret the world--sometimes with humor, always with compassion.”
In 2007 Stewart, Tabori & Chang, an imprint of Harry Abrams, published Ross’ début book, POP: A Celebration of Black
Fatherhood. With a forward by Samuel L. Jackson, the book features fifty-one devoted fathers including L.A. Reid,
Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Funk Master Flex and Melvin Van Peebles. Since its unveiling POP has been featured in
Essence, Heart & Soul, O Magazine, Baby Talk, ABC Chicago, Oprah & Friends Radio, The Washington Post and on the
cover of the Chicago Tribune, and has also been the subject of profiles in numerous newspapers and magazines
including Chicago Sun Times, Advertising Age and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Ross’ photographs have also
appeared in publications including Ebony, VIBE, Village Voice and in books including 73 Ways To Help Your Baby Sleep.
In June, Ross partnered with the prestigious Chicago based Burrell Communications to develop and promote a black
father’s initiative. POP served as the cornerstone for this custom designed campaign which included print public service
announcements in Ebony, Jet, Sister 2 Sister, Black Enterprise and Rolling Out as well as television spots on BET and
TV1 and a radio spot which aired nationally on RADIO ONE. The POP collection was most recently on exhibition at
Gallery Guichard in Chicago.
In addition to POP, Ross is one of two photographers who made photographic contributions, promoting Dr. Cornell West’
s latest CD, Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations. Her most recent contribution, an exhibition titled “Identity” at the
Franklin Institute, features photographs by Ross and travels through 2009.
Ross resides in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and son and is currently working on her second book. For more
information visit www.carolrossphotographer.com and www.photo-blue.com.
always seeking the beauty beneath the hidden. On her tenth birthday, her mother gave her a camera and it was then
that her quest for intimacy with the world began to unfold.
As both a photographer and former actor Ross has always maintained a position in front of and behind the camera.
While living in Los Angeles, Ross was featured in several commercial and print ads for Toyota, Lexus, FedEx, Nabisco,
Frito Lay, and Chevrolet. Behind the camera Ross produced two documentaries which aired on NBC. “I realized then
that I had much more to say. My profession could no longer be just about selling a product. Interviewing and capturing
people on film made me realize how many voices deserve to be heard but never get the attention.” During these
productions Ross captured intimate moments in stills with particular interest on the children.
According to Ross, “From that point forward photography became a tool. The beauty of these children and their
remaining innocence was captivating and the still camera allowed me to preserve those moments. Through the lens, I
saw a landscape designed for captivity but in the forefront, a child whose heart was still free to soar. As a result of that
experience I find now that my visual approach is to provide a deeper look into what could be ultimately healing. In my
work I seek to challenge angles and break conventional technical rules, always searching for new ways to view and
interpret the world--sometimes with humor, always with compassion.”
In 2007 Stewart, Tabori & Chang, an imprint of Harry Abrams, published Ross’ début book, POP: A Celebration of Black
Fatherhood. With a forward by Samuel L. Jackson, the book features fifty-one devoted fathers including L.A. Reid,
Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Funk Master Flex and Melvin Van Peebles. Since its unveiling POP has been featured in
Essence, Heart & Soul, O Magazine, Baby Talk, ABC Chicago, Oprah & Friends Radio, The Washington Post and on the
cover of the Chicago Tribune, and has also been the subject of profiles in numerous newspapers and magazines
including Chicago Sun Times, Advertising Age and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Ross’ photographs have also
appeared in publications including Ebony, VIBE, Village Voice and in books including 73 Ways To Help Your Baby Sleep.
In June, Ross partnered with the prestigious Chicago based Burrell Communications to develop and promote a black
father’s initiative. POP served as the cornerstone for this custom designed campaign which included print public service
announcements in Ebony, Jet, Sister 2 Sister, Black Enterprise and Rolling Out as well as television spots on BET and
TV1 and a radio spot which aired nationally on RADIO ONE. The POP collection was most recently on exhibition at
Gallery Guichard in Chicago.
In addition to POP, Ross is one of two photographers who made photographic contributions, promoting Dr. Cornell West’
s latest CD, Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations. Her most recent contribution, an exhibition titled “Identity” at the
Franklin Institute, features photographs by Ross and travels through 2009.
Ross resides in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and son and is currently working on her second book. For more
information visit www.carolrossphotographer.com and www.photo-blue.com.
POP
A Celebration
of Black
Fatherhood
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