Profile.
Major Morris was a hobbyist from childhood in Cincinnati, Ohio until the early fifties when, as a laboratory technician at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) he learned the precious art of creating his own photographic works.
He began marketing photographs, first to MIT's Alumni publications, then to advertising agencies and textbook publishers who valued his ability to make social commentary with his urban images. At the same time he became involved with fashion photography, servicing advertising departments in local Boston department stores and producing portfolios for high fashion models.
Concurrently, Major Morris worked as a free lance photographer for the Boston Globe and for Fairchild Publications - a national producer of trade publications; his work appeared regularly in such notable journals as Women's Wear Daily and Men’s Wear Magazine.
During this period Major Morris was given his first public showing. It was an impressive exhibit mounted in a gallery of the First Unitarian Church, the Arlington Street Church of Boston. Later, some of his images were selected to be shown at the DeCordova Museum of Lincoln, Massachusetts when that prestigious institution mounted an exhibition titled, "The New England Experience", featuring the work of outstanding regional photographers.
He went on to serve as a staff photographer for Education Development Center (EDC) in Newton, Massachusetts. His primary assignment was photographing classroom activities for elementary and secondary school curricula being developed at The Center. While serving at EDC he created a pictorial essay on the, "Roxbury (Massachusetts) School Child and His Environments". This work was given a major showing at the Freedom House of Roxbury, Massachusetts.
Shortly thereafter Major Morris left professional photography to pursue a career in higher education. After earning the Master of Education Degree from Harvard University he went on to become a lecturer and administrator at universities on both the east and west coasts of the United States.
After a productive and satisfying career as an educator, Major Morris retired to Southern California. He resumed his photographic activities and wrote about his life's experiences.
In Major’s words, “In my photographic experience I have always been drawn to capturing images of what life was for me as I groped my way through an underprivileged youthful existence; what life continues to be for so many young people living in circumstances similar to those of my early childhood, and in capturing those images, expressing what I feel about the strength and beauty of those children who refuse to be victims. What I see is the reality of the physical circumstances into which these youngsters have been brought to life. What I see is the indomitable spirit that feeds the imagination, the curiosity, the need for doing that is natural to these and all youngsters during their formative years. I see the possibilities for growth, for the excitement of learning, for the formation of dreams that will take them up and out into productive, contributive lives. What I see is the need for the dreams to be nurtured! That is what my photographs are about!”
