Beautiful. Elegant. Powerful. You could go on describing the work of Sophia Barrett, but there wouldn’t be enough adjectives. Sophia’s work is rich with fashion-forward portrait styling. It is simply stunning. Her focus on portraits and maternity creates a sense of modern surrealistic quality that empowers the persona of her subjects.
Her use of color, setting, and extravagant costuming really make her work shine. There’s no wonder she’s racked over 20K followers on Instagram with thousands of likes per image.
Sophia is a master storyteller and her most powerful tool is her lens. She helps her clients share their stories, so they can pass them down to their families for years to come.
We were fortunate enough to have a chance to speak with Sophia, get to know her, and learn about her creative process.
Thank you Sophia for taking the time to speak to me. First off let me say I’ve been a long-time fan of your work, tell me about your style and what it represents to you and your clients?
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate that! I would say that my work falls into a couple of different categories. Fine art, editorial, fantasy, etc. ... The purpose however is always the same, and that’s to create artwork that my clients can pass down for generations.
What has growing up been like for you? Did your parents have a huge influence on you as an artist?
I have really awesome memories of growing up with my family. I grew up in a Haitian community, I guess you can say. My family is Haitian and the churches my father pastored were also Haitian. I loved that growing up. Growing up in Massachusetts was difficult because of the overt racism that I experienced constantly, however having this community surrounding me was like a buffer and I think it was a huge contributor to my work and the way that I see the world.
Did you always want to be a photographer?
I didn’t always want to be a photographer … I just always loved art and many different forms of art. While photography is my profession it’s not really what I see myself as. I see myself as an artist who currently uses photography as a medium to express myself.
Did your parents understand your desire to be an artist?
My parents always understood my desire to be an artist of some sort. However, their fear was that my passions wouldn’t pay the bills. It was important for them that I go to school and either become a lawyer or a doctor or something to that degree.
I wanted to go to school for fashion when I was ready for college, but that scared them immensely [she laughs]. Instead, I ended up going to school for criminal justice which later on turned into architecture which then finally turned into a degree in Interior Design. I appreciate all that I learned in school and see how my education in architecture and interior design has influenced my art.
When did you make the move to Atlanta and why?
When I was younger maybe around 16 or so my church and other Haitian churches attended an event here for Haitian youth. It was called YAHA (Young Adventist Haitian in America). I remember arriving and seeing so many people of color. I remember being shocked and excited.
When I was at church or home I felt accepted and comfortable. But every other space in Massachusetts for me had the opposite feeling. I was so excited to be somewhere and feel welcomed and comfortable. Atlanta could be that place for me.
Was starting hard? What was it like?
In the beginning, I had a full-time job and so did my husband. So photography was more about freedom of expression and getting paid for it. Soon I decided to quit my job and that’s when the pressure of making money was a little more serious.
It was definitely harder to find consistent work but we started partnering with different event planners in the city and that helped a lot. One planner, in particular, Eliana Baucicault owner of EllyB Events, helped us a great deal in the beginning and we will forever be grateful for that.
When did it start to come together?
As soon as I quit my job this was it for me. I’ve been in boss mode I guess over the last 10+ years, we’ve had different seasons in different focuses when it came to the business. Because we are constantly evolving I feel like I’m always learning and enjoying the journey!
What has inspired you the most in your work? Is it a fusion of culture and modern luxury portraiture — how would you describe it?
That description I think is perfect. I like to infuse different aspects of my culture and experiences into my work. I am very proud of who I am and my experiences really do color how I interpret what I see and how I translate it to others.
I want others to see that pride and strength in my work. I am most definitely inspired by artists like Dylan Bolivar, Allen Cooley, and Annie Leibovitz. I want my work to be timeless but impactful and unexpected.
What is your favorite piece you’ve done to date? Please describe it.
This is really hard for me to answer. As soon as I complete a project I tear it apart. I think about all the things I wish I could fix or adjust for the next shoot. I guess in a way I’m a little tormented.
When it comes to websites how knowledgeable are you — did you need help getting started?
As long as it’s user-friendly I can sit and figure it out but the amount of time that would take wouldn’t make sense for me and my business. I absolutely needed help.
How did you find PhotoBiz?
I did some research for websites for photographers on Google.
You did our Pro Services initially when you started, how was that process?
It was great! I was so thankful that someone more knowledgeable on-site building was taking care of the majority of the website.
Self Portrait - Sophia Barrett
Your portfolio is stunning, how do customers react?
Most people haven’t been photographed in the style we provide our clients. Clients get excited during the whole process from the creation of their looks to them being in the studio to them receiving their completed portraits. It’s an experience we are proud to offer.
Would you recommend PhotoBiz to others?
Absolutely! The services you all offer make having an online presence a lot less stressful!!
What is the future for you Sophia, what projects or goals do you have in mind?
I really would like to be able to create the artwork I want when I want. I love working with textiles, painting, and working with clay but I usually find little time for these loves. I hope to have more flexibility for this in the future.
Anything you like to say to inspiring photographers?
Photograph the world you want to see and your work will be appreciated. Don’t worry so much about what others think is beautiful. They can’t see the world the way you do.
Beautifully said!
Sophia’s artistry is what powers her business. Her website highlights her work from the welcoming homepage, to the simple gallery showcasing it all. Sophia trusted PhotoBiz to set up her website with a Pro Service. It gave her time to focus on what matters most, her clients. Over the last 10 years, Sophia has been telling stories for her clients and we hope she continues to enrich other people’s lives with her skills for many more years to come.
Check out her website to view more of her amazing work.
If you are interested in having a team help you with your website like Sophia did, let the PhotoBiz Pro Services team back you up! Our We Build It For You service frees up your time to stay focused on running your business. You can rely on our team to set up your website and get you online quickly.
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