Bio:
Carissa Dorson is a photographer and cinematographer originally from Silver Spring, Maryland. She uses conceptual portraiture to explore themes of identity, loneliness, and human connection. With a love for telling vulnerable stories, she often uses humor in her work.
Carissa’s photo book, Conversations with Dad, a visual conversation with her father, was published by Kehrer Verlag in 2021. Her photography has also appeared on the cover of Like Brothers by Mark and Jay Duplass and in the photo book Home by Don’t Smile. She has exhibited work at Duncan Miller Gallery (Santa Monica, CA), Los Angeles Center of Photography (CA) and The Darkroom Gallery (Essex, VT).
In addition to her fine art photography, Carissa has built a career as a cinematographer on TV shows such as A Little Late with Lilly Singh (NBC) and feature films such as It’s a Party (Showtime). She graduated with a BFA from Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts in 2011 and now resides in Los Angeles.
CV:
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Winter 2023 Show, The Curated Fridge, Juror: Brian Piper, Somerville, MA, 2023
Summer 2022 Show, The Curated Fridge, Juror: Aline Smithson, Somerville, MA, 2022
Joy, Analog Forever Magazine, 2020
Best of Quarantine, FLOAT Magazine, 2020
Project XV: New Perspectives on Photography, Los Angeles Center of Photography, 2020
5th Annual Members Exhibition, Los Angeles Center of Photography, 2018
Summertime Exhibition, Duncan Miller Gallery, Santa Monica, CA, 2018
Nikki Beach Clubs Traveling Photo Exhibition, Duncan Miller Gallery, Cannes, France, 2018
The Face, Darkroom Gallery, Essex Junction, VT, Juror: Catherine Just
Member’s Online Virtual Gallery, Los Angeles Center of Photography, 2017
Nothing Special, L.A. Photo Curator, 2017
Your Favorite Photo, Lenscratch, 2017
BOOKS
Conversations with Dad, Kehrer Verlag, 2021
Works included in:
Like Brothers by Mark and Jay Duplass, 2018
Home, Don’t Smile, 2018
PUBLICATIONS/INTERVIEWS
The Photobook Journal, Conversations with Dad, Review by Gerhard Clausing, 2021
Skylight Books Podcast with Aline Smithson, 2021
The Candid Frame with Ibarionex Perello, 2020
Lenscratch, Conversations with Dad, Feature, 2020
FOTO Magazine, 12 page spread, 2018
LA Weekly, Funny People Serious Photos, 2017
Underexposed Magazine, Interview and Spread, 2017
PRESENTATIONS/TALKS
Photobook Roundtable, Los Angeles Center of Photography, 2021
Artist Talk, Project XV, Los Angeles Center of Photography, 2020
AFFILIATIONS
Lumix Ambassador
Los Angeles Center of Photography
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Motion Picture Arts, Florida State University, 2011