Video Created by Derek Elz

Our Story

Barry - Was born in St. Louis Missouri to a hardworking family of very modest means. He was in college studying fine art when he was drafted and then enlisted in the Air Force in (1969) where he served 3 years during the Vietnam War. Upon returning to his home town after being released from service he was more determined than ever to find a path to living/surviving as an artist, against the daunting circumstances that most artists face…his art scholarship was gone, being completely unknown and with virtually no funds.

Through a college professor Barry began working as an assistant in a commercial photography studio, carrying sandbags mostly, but he saw that somehow they were able to earn a living doing creative work. One of the photographers loaned Barry a Nikon and secured a pass to shoot at a St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball game (1973). The agreement was to show the Cardinal’s admin what he captured and they would purchase any they liked. Barry knew very little about cameras as his interest was still in painting, sculpture and design. One image in particular caught the eye of the Cardinal’s and they offered him a pass for the rest of the season to shoot totally on speculation, and this first door opening began the fulfilling of his dream - (which lasted for five decades).

Within a year Barry opened his first independent studio (1974), shooting mostly for fashion client Famous Barr (which became Macy’s) in St. Louis, accompanied by talented stylist and studio manager - Charlie Golden. He then opened studios in Chicago (1980) and NYC (1981), shooting fashion icons including Cindy Crawford and Jennifer Beals, his images were published in Vogue, Town and Country and Rolling Stone Magazine. Photographing athletes for clients including Gatorade and Nike, which were published in Sports Illustrated and Time Magazine, alongside accomplished producer - Carlos Rojas. Creating images of Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman during the Bulls NBA Championship years led to the publishing of his New York Times best seller hardcover book in (1998).

Barry’s creative vision was finally fulfilled as he was able to sculpt with lighting and a large format cameras.

Carolyn - Was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois with the influence of a grandmother who was a fine dressmaker, always wanting to pursue a career in fashion design.  After some studies in design and textiles (1976-78), she decided to find work in the industry.  She became the assistant to the fashion show production director at the fashion mecca of Chicago, The Apparel Center, where she coordinated runway fashion show productions.  She soon met model Susanne Johnson (1979) who was opening her own model agency and was asked to join, beginning a career in fashion print.

Within weeks of meeting with Susanne, Carolyn was sent to test with internationally renowned fashion photographer, Victor Skrebneski and was soon booked for I Magnin, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and many other prestigious fashion clients.

Carolyn’s career expanded in Chicago with The Elite agency and in New York with The Ford Agency, staying at Eileen’s house when working there.  She became one of the most sought after fashion print models for almost 20 years appearing in Vogue, Glamour, Town & Country magazines and many others.

Together, for the first time in (1980), when Barry hired Carolyn for his fashion client in Chicago, which was the first of many, many bookings. Creating for clients, as well as, their large format art images as model and photographer together. They were married in (1990) and Carolyn remains until this day Barry’s creative partner in every way, in creating the vast majority of their film and print archive.