We had the good fortune of connecting with Latrice “Phoenix” Rose and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Latrice “Phoenix”, alright, so let’s start with your first job. What should we know?
My first official job was a Youth Writer for the New Pittsburgh Courier. I was tasked with interviewing youth doing amazing things in their schools and communities and highlighting them in our “Spotlight Youth” section of the paper. That experience is what peeked my interest in journalism and photography. Along with the task of writing about youth, I also assisted with organizing the photo archives of one of Pittsburgh’s greatest photographers Teenie Harris. Going through his photos made me want to pursue photojournalism. I learned a lot from that experience. It made me realize how important it is to tell people’s stories and give them a voice. It also made me realize how special it is to be able to capture people special moments and memories.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I use nude photography to create conversations around the plight or African Americans and how our bodies have been used. That sets me a part. I’m not just a portrait photographer, I actually consider myself an artist. There are two sides to my work. The business where I do portrait photography and the events. Then there is the art side and that is the side that I showcase in galleries and exhibits. I’m most proud of this. I’m most proud of how my photos impact people of all races and make them think and be sensitive to another persons struggle and circumstance. I’m most proud of how I am able to tap into the vulnerabilities of my subjects and show them themselves in a beautiful way. I have had an up and down relationship with photography. It has been a struggle between passion and business. I am very in tune, I’m an empath so when I’m not right mentally, spiritually and emotionally I can’t produce quality work. So there have been many challenges in that. I’ve learned many lessons along the way. I want the World to know most about my photography, brand and story is that I made an impact.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend visited the area and I wanted to show them the best time ever, I would honestly take them around my family. We are crazy when we are all together and we have such a good time. We laugh and joke so much that anyone would leave feeling good.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Over the years I have developed many supporters along my journey. These are people that I do and do not know personally. Every person that comments, shares or inboxes me on social media. The people that text and email me. The people that verbally express to me that I inspire them. My family and friends…and most importantly my daughter. She is the one who motivates me to keep going to make her life amazing.

Instagram: @theelatricephoenix
Facebook: facebook.com/theephoenixrose

Image Credits
Felicia Brown/PulsusImages