photo by Masrat Zahra

Russ Bray is a documentary photographer based in the Midwest. Currently focusing on pursuing a master’s degree in photojournalism at the University of Missouri, Bray is working on several long-term projects in topics he’s interested in such as environmentalism and low-income communities. Bray also has a bachelor’s in fine art photography from Missouri State University. His goal is to capture what makes everyone human in their own way, and to highlight the facets of what it means to be human.

Bray grew up impoverished, living in a trailer park for most of his life until college, bringing into the field an understanding unique to his upbringing that comes through in his work. He collaborates with marginalized communities and individuals, giving a positive spotlight to people robbed of that privilege.

Contact Info

russbray19@gmail.com

417-551-2035

instagram: russ.bray

Education

2026

MA in Journalism, University of Missouri (Expected)

  • Concentration in Photojournalism, Documentary Journalism, and Visual Editing

2023

BFA in Photography, Missouri State University

  • Cum Laude

  • Honors College

  • Minors in Art History and Philosophy

2019

International Baccalaureate Diploma, Ozark High School

Jobs

POY Coordinator & Webmaster, University of Missouri, Jan. 2025-present

  • Worked behind the scenes to run Picter and make the process of showing submissions to the judges smoothly.

  • Updated the website during and after the competition to display the winners for the public to view.

Equipment Locker Manager, University of Missouri, Aug. 2024-present

  • Used equipment extensively across the big three brands to familiarize myself with them

  • Helped students check out the correct equipment and recommend certain items

CPOY Webmaster, University of Missouri, Aug. 2024-present

  • Organized early of the CPOY archives to make them accessible on the College Photographer of the Year website

  • During CPOY 79 judging, I built the entire CPOY 79 winners page in a timely manner.

Photographer, Missouri State University’s Photo Services, Feb. 2022-Aug. 2023

  • Made photos at a variety of events, from sports games to banquets through the method of client work for the respective MSU departments.

  • Used Lightroom, Photo Mechanic, and Photo Shelter together to quickly and efficiently get photos out to the clients.

Photojournalist/Visuals Editor, Missouri State University’s The Standard, Aug. 2020 - May 2022

  • Was the main photographer for the newspaper for the majority of my time, taking several assignments a week during times of short staffing.

  • Worked with the team to create visuals complementing the other mediums that accompanied each story and article.

  • Ran the visuals side of the paper, working with each person to build ideas and execute them whether it was photography or illustrative/design work.

Volunteer Work

Graduate Leader, Missouri Photo Workshop, Sep. 2024

  • Assisted the Director of MPW, Brian Kratzer, with logistics and managing the volunteer crew.

Exhibitions

2024

Elwood Studios Gallery Night, Group Show, Elwood Studios, Springfield, Missouri

2023

Mountain Workshops Exhibition, Group Show, Judy Richard Hall at Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky

LoosenArt THE FAMILY, Group Show, Rome, Italy

Senior Exhibition, Group Show, Brick City Gallery, Springfield, Missouri

2020

About A Mask, Group Show, Online Exhibition

Workshops/Programs

2023

Mountain Workshops, Paris, Kentucky

  • Photographed ‘At the Crossroads’

Eddie Adams Workshop, Jeffersonville, New York

  • Photographed ‘SNY’s 143rd Infantry’

Awards

2022

Newspaper Division I - Sports Photography, Honorable Mention, Missouri College Media Association

2021

Newspaper Division I - Sports Photography, Second Place, Missouri College Media Association

2020

Best in Show, About A Mask Exhibition

Newspaper Division I - News Photography, Third Place, Missouri College Media Association

Newspaper Division I - News Photography, Third Place, Missouri College Media Association