Elliot Ross is a photographer and writer whose work focuses on the intersection of landscape, identity, and justice in the American West. His images have appeared in Time, National Geographic, and The New York Times, and he’s known for deeply researched, long-term projects that combine striking visual storytelling with a journalist’s rigor. Whether he’s documenting water access on the Navajo Nation or tracing the contours of Glen Canyon as it reemerges, Elliot brings a rare mix of artistry, empathy, and precision to every assignment.
Born in Taiwan and raised on the eastern plains of Colorado, Elliot grew up between cultures and landscapes—an experience that shaped both his worldview and his creative path. He picked up a camera early, inspired by his grandmother’s family albums, and later earned a full-ride to the Savannah College of Art and Design. After college, he cut his teeth in New York City, assisting some of the most high-profile portrait and fashion photographers in the industry. All the while, he was quietly dreaming about building a career on his own terms—one rooted in storytelling, purpose, and the landscapes he still called home.
In this episode, we talk about the early experiences that shaped his artistic voice, the evolution of his career, and how he’s learned to navigate the demands of both commercial and documentary work. Elliot shares the backstory of his recent Time magazine cover story on water equity in the West, a project that involved years of reporting, deep community ties, and even a return to the classroom. We also discuss his thoughts on creative endurance, working across political divides, and the role of photography in fostering empathy and connection.
I’d encourage you to visit Elliot’s website and dig deeper into all of his work, especially his project A Question of Balance, which became the Time magazine feature. You can find links to everything in the episode notes. Thanks to Elliot for the inspiring and timely conversation, and thank you for listening.
Photos courtesy of Elliot: Header by Max Lowe, headshot by Miguel DeLeon
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RESOURCES:
Topics Discussed:
- 3:05 – Elliot growing up in Taipei and how his parents met
- 6:00 – Few but vivid memories of Taipei
- 7:09 – The culture shock of moving to eastern Colorado
- 8:25 – How photography came into Elliot’s life
- 10:29 – Reading influences
- 13:16 – Travel bug
- 16:22 – Savannah College of Art and Design
- 18:07 – The Asian parents pressure
- 19:49 – Credit to high school art teachers
- 20:54 – Figuring out photography
- 27:47 – No wavering
- 29:54 – Moving into independent business
- 33:29 – Pitching Carhartt
- 37:03 – Nat Geo ups and downs
- 42:10 – Near-death experiences
- 45:44 – Approaching long-term projects
- 49:35 – Pulling on threads
- 51:45 – Humans and landscapes
- 56:35 – Curiosity as the most authentic de-escalator
- 58:05 – Writing and shooting and doing it all
- 1:02:45 – Response to the Time story
- 1:07:35 – A tale of two places
- 1:13:45 – Using water in the West
- 1:16:35 – The Desiderata creed
- 1:17:05 – Book recs
- 1:23:05 – Parting words
Information Referenced:
- Elliot Ross
- Time Magazine piece
- My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
- Robert Adams, American West photographer
- The “new topographics” movement. Elliot defines it as a revisionist way of looking at landscape. Instead of beauty and splendor, there’s more analysis of the changes that humans brought upon a place.
- Annie Leibovitz, a portrait photographer Elliot interned for.
- Mark Seliger, Elliot was his Second Assistant.
- Philip-Lorca diCorcia, a portrait photographer Elliot didn’t intern for, but stalked until he said no.
- Martin Schoeller, another portrait photographer Elliot worked for.
- Elliot’s The Reckoning Days
- Robert Clark, Nat Geo features photographer
- American Backyard, Elliot’s examination of the U.S./Mexico border
- An interview with Elliot about his experience talking with John Ladd, amongst other things, in Deseret News.
- E.W. Scripps environmental reporting fellowships and internships
- A Question of Balance, another project of Elliot’s
- Elliot’s Geography of Hope Exhibition
- The Glen Canyon Institute
- The Desiderata, Elliot’s daily creed.
- Book recs: John Steinbeck’s East of Eden and Grapes of Wrath; Cormac McCarthy’s (when Elliot’s feeling dark) Blood Meridian and All The Pretty Horses: Border Trilogy 1; Craig Childs’ The Secret Knowledge of Water and House of Rain
Enjoy this episode? Then you might like these too:
- Pete McBride Returns – Exploring & Documenting His Backyard River
- Mike DeHoff – Exploring the Colorado River’s Reemerging Rapids
- Kristine Tompkins – Nothing to Lose
- Mauricia Baca – An Empathetic Approach to Nevada’s Conservation Challenges
- Joe Schobert – From NFL Pro Bowler to Western Conservation Advocate
- Jesse Smith – A Regenerative Approach to Land and Life
Visit the podcast page for a full list of episodes where you can filter episodes by topic and guests’ vocations.
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