Ocean Morisset is a self-taught, award-winning photographer with twenty years of experience specializing in photojournalism and documentary photography. A self-described “humanitarian-with-a-camera,” he also explores fine art photography and engages with a wide range of subjects in life, though his passion remains in telling stories with photos captured candidly.
Morisset often uses his iphone to record fleeting moments, using the stealth of a ninja and a zen-like sensitivity towards his subjects. The iphone allows him to get close, remain stealthy in his approach, and capture intimate moments that tell the story of the human condition.
Ocean Morisset
In July of 2011, Morisset was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a blood cancer which spread to his bone marrow. Since then, he has been documenting his own journey through cancer in a series of intimate self-portraits entitled ‘Seeing Myself as I Face Cancer,’ revealing personal moments while receiving chemotherapy and private moments inside his own thoughts and feelings at home. Morisset’s decision to turn the camera onto himself in such a revealing way was not a difficult one as he was intent on sharing his personal struggle for the benefit of those who want to learn and even heal. He also recognizes that when most people get a disease, or any type of affliction, the tendency is to isolate and withdraw from society. Ocean was determined to show another way of dealing with this particular life challenge.
This fall, Ocean will offer an online workshop on Therapuetic Photography to help others process their health challenges and heal.
In addition to his self-portrait series, Ocean has spent the last several years photographing everyday life in New York City and Peekskill, NY. His style when shooting on the streets is candid, mostly using his iphone. His commitment to photographing this way over the years has seen the birth of several photographic series including: ‘Subway Stories’ and ‘Dad Duty.’
In March 2022 Ocean re-located from Peekskill, NY, to Costa Rica with his partner Kahlil to “upgrade their lives.”
Self-portrait: “Awakening”, from the series ‘Seeing Myself as I Face Cancer.’
Harlem, NYC 2011-12
Awards:
Peekskill Art Grant (2020)
NAACP Peekskill Chapter Inaugural Mel Tapley Award (2018)
ArtsWestchester Inaugural Larry Salley Photography Award (2018)
Website: archive.oceanmorisset.com
IG: @oceanstide
FB Artist Page: Puerto Viejo Through My Eyes
FB: ocean.morisset
Email: oceanmorisset11@gmail.com
Event Date: Sunday, June 5, 2022
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. (CST, 5 GMT)
This event is virtual and free. Registration is required.