Jane Edwards
Where are you based?
I am based Berlin now. I was living in London's East End until last year. In the Hackney area.
You used to work in Soho.
Yes. Performing. I do performance shows. Some of them for The Box in Soho.
I am based Berlin now. I was living in London's East End until last year. In the Hackney area.
You used to work in Soho.
Yes. Performing. I do performance shows. Some of them for The Box in Soho.
"I like performers and dancers because they have stories to tell in their bodies and spirit."
The Baron
The Baron
Electra Belle Fleur
Your models are as interesting as your pictures. How do you go about choosing them?
I choose my models not only by how they look but also by who they are. I am a performer myself so I like performers and dancers because they have stories to tell in their bodies and spirit. That is the picture for me: the person herself.
I choose my models not only by how they look but also by who they are. I am a performer myself so I like performers and dancers because they have stories to tell in their bodies and spirit. That is the picture for me: the person herself.
Aurora Starr and Suzie Smith
You pictures have a strong expressionist style. Are you German?
No. I’m Finnish
Do you catalogue yourself as an Expressionist?
My style is more Film Noir. I was always very inspired with that style of films. How to create shadows and bring the shadow alive. That’s what I am looking for but expressionism is also a very important part of my past, in my performing career.
No. I’m Finnish
Do you catalogue yourself as an Expressionist?
My style is more Film Noir. I was always very inspired with that style of films. How to create shadows and bring the shadow alive. That’s what I am looking for but expressionism is also a very important part of my past, in my performing career.
"My pictures try
to empower women.
Throughout my life I have believed in equality."
The Baron
to empower women.
Throughout my life I have believed in equality."
The Baron
Belladonna Hades
Suzie Smith.
You said you are a performer.
Yes.
What kind of performer?
My performance name is The Baron of the Universe. I do side-shows. I’ve been performing variety, cabaret and burlesque for over 20 years.
Yes.
What kind of performer?
My performance name is The Baron of the Universe. I do side-shows. I’ve been performing variety, cabaret and burlesque for over 20 years.
Emski
Katrin Gajndr
Suzie Smith
Where does photography come in? Were you always one?
I was a photographer as a teenager. And I did a lot of pictures of events like raves back in the 90s. Then I put my camera down for years. Then about five years ago I picked it up again and I started shooting portraits and models in an environment that I can control more.
I was a photographer as a teenager. And I did a lot of pictures of events like raves back in the 90s. Then I put my camera down for years. Then about five years ago I picked it up again and I started shooting portraits and models in an environment that I can control more.
"I use a Sony A7 camera.
The base model.
Love how agile it is."
The Baron
The base model.
Love how agile it is."
The Baron
LouLou D'vil
Lexi Lee. Stills from my short film Relax.
Some of your pictures on Instagram have the female nipples erased. Is that an artistic style or something to comply with the Instagram censorship?
It’s to comply with Instagram! (Laughter)
It’s to comply with Instagram! (Laughter)
Josie Jones
Lexi Lee
Katrin Gajndr
In the pictures I’ve chosen I would prefer the nipples on display. It’s more real and natural to the picture.
Yes of course.
Yes of course.
"I find the female story
and everything about women
more interesting than men."
The Baron
and everything about women
more interesting than men."
The Baron
Jacqueline Divoir
Katrin Gajndr
You said ‘you put my camera down’. Which cameras did you use then and now?
I started with a Minolta 35mm. It was a great camera. Now I use a Sony A7. The base model. Love how agile it is.
The Baron of Juxta Concept
"My lighting tries to bring
out female power."
The Baron
out female power."
The Baron
Studio lighting?
I use only two LED panels. I don’t use flash. I use film-style lighting.
I use only two LED panels. I don’t use flash. I use film-style lighting.
Josie Jones
Jacqueline Divoir
You finish the post with software?
Yes of course. Photoshop. Quite a lot to be honest. But I never crop the picture.
Yes of course. Photoshop. Quite a lot to be honest. But I never crop the picture.
I was coming out of the studio and saw this dirty old staircase unrestored since World War II. The beauty of it caught my eye.
How do you reconcile your pictures with the #MeToo movement?
I’m actually trying to empower women. Throughout my life I have believed in equality. Whatever the race or background, it’s never a question. When I started shooting women for pictures my whole idea was to empower women. Portray women as strong as they are. That’s why I use strong light. I try to portray women in powerful positions. I sometimes shoot them from below for that reason. My lighting also tries to bring that out.
I’m actually trying to empower women. Throughout my life I have believed in equality. Whatever the race or background, it’s never a question. When I started shooting women for pictures my whole idea was to empower women. Portray women as strong as they are. That’s why I use strong light. I try to portray women in powerful positions. I sometimes shoot them from below for that reason. My lighting also tries to bring that out.
Emski
Electra Belle Fleur
You photograph women, why don’t you photograph men?
I find the female story and everything about women more interesting than men.
I find the female story and everything about women more interesting than men.
Inga Salome
Jacqueline Divoir
Do you earn your living as a photographer?
No, no at the moment.
How do you earn your living?
By performing.
No, no at the moment.
How do you earn your living?
By performing.
"I’ve been in Berlin
for over a year now.
I really love Berlin."
The Baron
for over a year now.
I really love Berlin."
The Baron
Katrin Gajndr
Inga Salome
Emski
Emma Heyward
Any plans for Soho or London?
It’s very hard now with the virus situation and the Brexit too.
It’s very hard now with the virus situation and the Brexit too.
Inga Salome
Katrin Gajndr
How do you compare Berlin to London?
I’ve been here for a year now and I really love Berlin. It’s more relaxed in many ways for art. I love London but it’s so busy there. You don’t have time for your own mind to explore. I find it’s easier in Berlin because you have more time and space for your mind.
I’ve been here for a year now and I really love Berlin. It’s more relaxed in many ways for art. I love London but it’s so busy there. You don’t have time for your own mind to explore. I find it’s easier in Berlin because you have more time and space for your mind.
Suzie Smith
Do you have a studio?
My home is my studio.
My home is my studio.
Josie Jones
I will make a selection of your pictures and you can send me some good copies.
Sure.
Sure.
Charlotte Hunter. This picture is from an ongoing project I have about depression, negative feelings within and surviving.
My first selection of The Baron’s pictures totalled about 80 photos. I got carried away. I love this type of photography. Strong lighting, B&W, Film Noir. My film ADRIFT IN SOHO has some of that.
Thommy
Miss Sugar Rush
Aurora Starr and Suzie Smith
I also wanted to photograph one of his models, Suzie Smith, before he did. Suzie is a trapeze performer and a contortionist. But The Baron beat me to the punch and raised the bar very high with his pictures.
Some of his photos of Suzie are included in this show. I still want to do some pictures of her, though. But I’ve got stiff competition now. Gotta come up with something new.
Some of his photos of Suzie are included in this show. I still want to do some pictures of her, though. But I’ve got stiff competition now. Gotta come up with something new.
Electra Belle Fleur
Nera Stiletto
We will announce the return to Soho of The Baron of Juxta Concept whenever he decides. Maybe we will do some pictures of his show even.
Nera Stiletto
The Baron of Juxta Concept can be followed on Instagram @baron_of_juxtaconcept