(503)-949-9630
CBELL7171@GMAIL.COM
Through documentary and portrait photography, Collin Bell crafts images that explore vulnerable and complex themes. Bell grew up in the suburbs of Salem, Ore., and discovered his love of photography from his grandfather who captured the life of his family and his travels through beautiful imagery for over 60 years. After seeing his grandfather’s work, Bell was inspired to use photography to capture his own perspective of the world.
In 2018, he went to the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication where he learned how to tell sensitive stories. There, he served as photo editor of the community-based student-led publication Ethos Magazine and photographed and edited stories regarding food insecurity, the increasing addiction rates among college students and the long-term side effects of COVID-19.
At the same time, he worked with former National Geographic magazine Executive Environment Editor Dennis Dimick and University of Oregon Professor of Practice Torsten Kjellstrand on the annual online student publication Science Story. As a part of the small team of passionate students, Bell helped tell the story of the landscapes and communities that were forever changed by the 2020 Oregon wildfires.
Two weeks after graduating from the University of Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in environmental studies in June of 2022, Bell packed up his life and moved to Syracuse, New York. He continues his studies there as a graduate student in the multimedia, photography and design program at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Inspired by the works of Latoya Ruby Frazier, Matt Eich and Bryan Schutmaat, Bell is interested in mixing art and documentary photography to capture themes regarding changing landscapes, non-traditional families and unexpected communities.
Open to documentary and editorial work. Resume available upon request.