Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Baron.
Hi Nancy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Thanks so much for your interest in my work. Although I’ve lived in Los Angeles and Palm Springs for many years, the lapsed Chicagoan in me is still charmed by the Southern California lifestyle, which is reflected in my photography. Although the scenes I share are a part of everyday life, to me they’re exotic, and I always aim to share that fascination.
When I was last featured in VoyageLA I had three published books of my Palm Springs photographs. Since then, I’ve had two more books published. One of them is Palm Springs Modern Dogs at Home, published by Schiffer Publishing, and the other one is a self-published Zine titled Riders On the Ten.
In Palm Springs Modern Dogs at Home the precious pups of Palm Springs are featured in their midcentury modern homes, bringing together two forms of visual comfort food. I prefer to show, not tell, so there is typically very little text in my books. In Palm Springs Modern Dogs I made an exception. The page facing the photo lists the name and breed of the pet, notes if the pup is a rescue, and gives the name of the architect of the home and the year the home was built.
My most recent publication is a Zine that I self-published in June 2022. Riders On the Ten is a collection of portraits of the motorcyclists that I passed on the 10 Freeway during countless round trips between Los Angeles and Palm Springs. California has more motorcyclists than any other state, and they have a unique vibe––in style, attitude, and posture. This is my version of literal street photography, connecting (or not) for a few seconds with these iconic motorcyclists.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Producing two books during the time of Covid has its challenges but it was also a good distraction, both for me and for the people who have enjoyed them. At a time when a lot of great art was being made about the challenges of pandemic life, I created something that was meant to bring comfort and/or joy. The hard but satisfying work put into creating these labors of love pays off when I’m told that my books make people smile or give them a respite from the realities of this new life we’re all (still) navigating.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Although I intentionally gather photos with a particular theme for my various photo series, the story comes together for me in the editing. This is when the tone of the story is formed and layered. It’s always gratifying to learn that my stories are appreciated and understood.
My passion for digging into a story has mostly been employed in my personal projects where I have the luxury of time to really immerse myself in my subjects. Editorial assignments, on the other hand, are great for pushing me in new directions and practicing ways to capture the essence of a topic within a limited time frame.
Either way, I think my interest in the world around me, shown through my personal visual voice, comes through. When that happens, I feel a sense of artistic success.
Many thanks for your interest in my art. I hope you’ll take a cruise around my website and here are links to my two latest publications:
Link to purchase Palm Springs Modern Dogs at Home: https://tinyurl.com/
Link to purchase Riders On the Ten: https://tinyurl.com/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nancybaron.com/
- Instagram: nancybaron_
- Twitter: nancybaron_
Image Credits
© Nancy Baron
