Written for The Link Entertainment by
Russell Frederick, a Brooklyn raised photographer utilizes his love for photography to change the Black American narrative.
“The camera is a powerful tool and I saw why it was weaponized against us,” Frederick said while speaking to Folkus.
Folkus is a series created with Getty images that features Black photographers while cultivating a community that focus on the Black community.
“I look at my role as a photographer as an educator and visual activist to realize and redefine the way the world sees us because our greatness has been suppressed. When I leave this earth, these images I’ve made will live on and be strong.” he continued to speak.
Frederick is a self-taught photographer who has been photographing for nearly twenty-five years and focuses on crafting stories that uplift, inspire and unite the Black life.
He knew he had an ‘artistic purpose’ so when an instructor of International Center of Photography, Bernard Palais looked at his portfolio prior to him getting into the school stated, ‘You will be a great photographer. It will be a shame if you don’t pursue this seriously.’ He knew right then and there that photography was going to be his future.
‘I want to learn and I want to work. I’m unpolished and raw, but my work ethic, my heart and determination can’t be measured.’ said Frederick.
Back then everyone thought of art as a hobby and not a career, so Frederick had a rough start but he was eager. One day he received a call from Eli Reed where he invited him to a slideshow at ICP. After the slideshow, Eli presented him with an opportunity with Magnum Photos where he got the job.
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