Get to Know: Ebony

Last year in issue 02 of Sanxtuary Magazine we interviewed Ebony Louise Barrett (@ebonylouisebarrett) and got some insight into her work as a photographer & creative!

Ebony Louise Barret

What’s up Ebony! We are so excited to find out more about you! Tell us about who you are, and what you do? 

Hello! Thank you so much for having me. My name is Ebony Louise Barrett and I’m a photographer and creative director from South London. I also am the founder of Japanese fashion magazine BonBon and the podcast Afternoon Tea which serves as an unfiltered version of the mag which I can update more frequently. 

How did you first get into Photography and Creative Direction and how has your work developed or changed over time? 

I first got into photography @ The Brit School! A friend I had at the time recently garnered an interest in film photography and I remember going with her to pick up some images she shot and I was just as excited to see them. I was obsessed with the natural filter of film and how it felt more intimate than digital. From here, I started my final major project which was initially meant to be illustration based but I realised I was more keen to dive into the world of photography and moving image. I bought my film camera (still have to this day) a Nikon F401 which when I shot with the first time produced a blank roll which felt super disheartening. For the final shoot I took the film camera with me, having no expectations and just hoping to get some footage and stills on my digi. I was so pleasantly surprised when the process worked and it felt like magic seeing those images I shot on that day come out successfully. It really brought me back to the moment I captured those photos and I just fell in love with that process - it felt like Christmas! 

What lessons have you learned while navigating the fashion and photography industry, or what advice would you want to share with other BIPOC & queer creatives who want to get into this industry? 

Honestly just know it’s a hell of a journey haha. Once I left Brit and went to uni I wanted to produce as much work as I possibly could with the resources I had at the time in order to give me a headstart when I graduated. This definitely helped but I still wasn’t happy with what I knew about the  industry. I worked at Big Sky Studios my year after uni and felt like I knew absolutely nothing again. From the huge lighting setups and ‘setiquette’ I realised what a beast this industry can be. The days were very long (12 hours minimum but more like 14 most of the time) the pay was abysmal and the treatment was archaic. Most of the teams I saw were full of white men - it was rare to see a woman who looked like me holding the camera. I just continued to be myself in this environment and being kind to everyone sets you up for success in making connections and getting jobs. I was just keen to learn as much as I could so I could apply it to my own practice. Working there was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done but also one of the best things I could have done to learn more about the industry and how to get to where I wanted to be. 

"The Living Dolls" Editorial for Bon Bon Magazine, shot by Ebony

Tell us about your unique process, from concept to final images, of how you create a shoot!

Honestly it changes each time. I used to go to Brick Lane all the time during my uni days and spend a significant amount on clothes for shoots (I don’t recommend this haha) and I would get super inspired by vintage clothes and hyper feminine silhouettes. I can get inspired by anything though, whether it be a colour, a sentence or an era of my life - music is amazing for inspiration as well. 

Tell us about your favourite piece of work that you’ve created! And why is this one of your favourites? 

My favourites change all the time but a project that I’ll always hold close to my heart is Sweet Shop Six. That was the name of my final major project I created for my degree and it earned me a GFW award which remains a highlight hehe. Sweet Shop Six is all about uplifting the black female community and the recognition of modern black storytelling. It focused on black women reclaiming the stereotypes we have been ridiculed for for centuries and turning them into superpowers. I did this in a kawaii tribute by naming each character after a sweet treat which shared properties of the same stereotypes black women are demonised for and turning that into inspiration for their outfits which I designed, and then worked with three incredible female fashion designers to bring these looks to life. I wanted to show all of the personalities of black women - how black girls can be soft and sensitive, resourceful and maybe even a bit nerdy hehe. 

"Hopeless Romantic" editorial for Bon Bon Magazine

Who or what inspires you most in your work? 

I’m inspired by my own experiences most of the time and those of my close circle whom I can relate to. I’ve spoken about being black and queer, black and kawaii and just all of the nuances of my own life that I feel haven’t been explored before in photography anyway. 

What are your biggest icks in the photography/ creative space that you want to see less of in the future? 

Men lol. I just want to see more women in the photography/creative space! I’ve faced involuntary comments on my body from cis white men commenting on my work and I’m OVER IT. I wanna see more female lighting assistants and more womxn photographers being on big budget shoots at Big Sky. Also so many shoots I’ve been on the vibes have been absolutely dead. This is meant to be a shared and collaborative love of creation ya know, we can bond and have fun! 

You are the QUEEN of cuteness! Tell us how this became a key part of your work, and your individuality!

As soon as I picked up a camera, I just knew I wanted to fill the images with ribbons and lace. I always loved the work of Petra Collins and Chloe Sheppard and how the girls didn’t appear super happy or ingenuine - the photos felt super sensitive to the shared experiences of the women creating them and I was and still am obsessed with the dreamy, otherworldly colour palettes of the photos. From here I just started gravitating towards specific colours and textures. I’m a very sensitive and sensory person so all of these little details matter and come together to form a new world. 

Lastly, what can we expect to see from you in the future? Any exciting projects or plans we can be on the lookout for? 

Well I’ll be hosting another BonBon event very shortly - I’ve been meaning to produce another one but it’s just been money, resources and time but I definitely think a get together isn’t too far away. I’m releasing monthly episodes of my podcast Afternoon Tea which you can subscribe to and I’m excited to present BonBon 6 in the new year hehe. 

For the latest exclusive interviews grab issue 03 here!