Interview with Jennifer Baron
BIFA 2024 Winner, 1st Place, Professional Portfolio, “Frozen August”
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to embark on a career in photography? Was there a specific moment when you realized this was your calling?
After a long career in education, I decided to pursue my passion for photography and the visual arts. The turning point came when I realized I wanted to do more with my creativity and add a deeper layer to my work. Photography provided me with the opportunity to capture emotions and stories visually in a way that words sometimes cannot. That was the moment when I found true fulfillment in the creative process.
Q: What was the inspiration behind your winning project? How did the idea come to you, and what message were you aiming to convey through your work?
Frozen August originated from a deep need to explore and share my own grieving process. The sudden loss of my brother in August 1990 had a lasting impact. After 33 years of silence, I felt it was time to process this pain and give it a voice. This project is a visual journey through my emotions and offers a glimpse into how loss can shape your life, even decades later. I hope that others will recognize themselves in it and feel supported in their own grief.
Q: Every great story comes with its challenges. What were some of the hurdles you faced while capturing your award-winning project, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges was reliving the grief. Working on Frozen August brought up many old emotions, but also new ones that I had not fully processed. Ultimately, it was a natural process: Frozen August had to be created in order to process my grief, even after 33 years. It was also a challenge to make the invisible visible, the rawness and intensity I felt, translating into images that could tell my story.
Q: What motivated you to enter the Budapest International Foto Awards? What does winning 1st place in your category mean to you personally and professionally?
Participating in the Budapest International Foto Awards was an opportunity for me to showcase my work to a broader audience and challenge myself as an artist. Winning first place is an incredible honor and a confirmation of my creative journey. It is not only a personal milestone but also a moment to inspire others and show that vulnerability and honesty in art can create powerful connections. It also means a tribute to my brother.
Q: Could you share some insights into the equipment and techniques you used to create your winning images? Is there a particular tool or method you always rely on?
For Frozen August, I used a digital camera. I always work in black and white. Black and white photography adds depth and emotion to my work, enhancing the contrast between light and dark, a key theme in my project. I make extensive use of natural light, which adds a certain atmosphere and authenticity to the images. Additionally, I experiment with longer shutter speeds to visually capture time and impermanence. I combine photography with sketches and publishing to create a multidimensional experience, where different media complement each other and further deepen the story both visually and emotionally.
Q: Looking back on your journey, what has been the highlight of your career so far? How does this award compare to other milestones you’ve achieved?
Publishing my first book, Frozen August, was a special moment, as it was a personal victory to share my emotions in such an intimate way. Winning this award feels like a wonderful recognition of that work and opens new doors to share my story with an international audience.
Q: What advice would you offer to emerging photographers hoping to make their mark in the industry? Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you wish you’d known earlier?
Stay true to yourself and your own vision and be inspired by other art forms and influences. Look around, learn from different disciplines. I’ve learned that vulnerability can be a strength and that sharing personal stories can have a real impact. For me, emotion is the core of my work.
Q: Photography is often described as a universal language. How do you approach storytelling in your work, and how do you connect emotionally with your audience?
For me, photography is a way to make the invisible visible. In my work, I aim to translate universal themes such as grief, trauma, and healing into images that can create a profound connection with others. By seeking a balance between abstraction and intimacy, I give the viewer space to add their own emotions and interpretations. It becomes a dialogue between my story and theirs.
Q: If you could work on any photography project in the world, unrestricted by budget or location, what would it be and why?
I would love to live for an extended period in a small, abandoned historical village, capturing the traces of time and memory. A place where history feels vividly present. It would be a way to tell stories about the relationship between humans and their environment, the fleeting nature of life, and how spaces preserve the marks of human presence. Through photography and perhaps other art forms, I would find it fascinating to bring these layered stories to life. This project would not only be an exploration of the past but also a search for what “home” truly means.
Q: What’s next for you after this incredible achievement? Are there any upcoming projects or goals that you’re particularly excited about?
Recently, I published my second book, Echoes of the Unseen, an intimate photo project about my mother and our shared journey through the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. This project focuses on the gradual fading of her memories and identity, while also exploring the deeply human aspects of this experience. It captures moments of connection, transformation, and the emotional complexities that come with the disease, inviting viewers to engage with its profound impact on both individuals and their families.
My latest work, Unveiled Layers, delves into the exploration of personal complexity. At its core, it’s about uncovering hidden aspects of oneself, peeling back the layers of identity to reach a deeper understanding of who we are. This ongoing journey highlights not only individual growth but also our interconnectedness with culture, history, and society. Unveiled Layers reminds us to reflect on our inner world while staying connected to the world around us.
I’m excited to continue sharing these stories and taking on new creative challenges.
