SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WJAR) — A Smithfield man with an eye for detail and a passion with a purpose is quite popular among those who appreciate photography.
In 2019, 30-year-old Bryan Baron, who is developmentally disabled and has dystonia movement disorder, attended a photography class.
“We met a professional photographer at a small business Saturday event that was helping young adults with disabilities learn photography,” said Sue Baron, Bryan’s mom. “Bryan signed up for the class and he [the teacher] called me within two weeks and said, ‘Bryan has a great eye, you should drop whatever you’re doing and think about letting him sell his photography, go out take more pictures and start a small photography business.”
Bryan was hooked, especially when it came to taking pictures of birds.
His parents said prior to the class, he had always been interested in photography.
“It really started during Covid because we really couldn’t go anywhere so he’d just take his camera out in the backyard and take pictures of whatever came to him,” said Cliff Baron, Bryan’s dad. “He always carried his camera and phone around and took pictures so it wasn’t really a surprise.”
Megan Pace, an employee of the state of Rhode Island, works with Bryan as his direct support professional.
She fully supported him diving into the photography business.
“Before, we were working at a bowling alley doing an internship pretty much and he was cleaning trash cans and lockers and I just didn’t find that to be fulfilling for somebody’s life, or right really,” said Pace. “I’m just trying to help him love his best life possible. It’s very hard in the disability community to find jobs that are meaningful.”
Bryan began perfecting his photography skills and selling his photos at local events including farmer’s markets.
He gained a social media following and created his business with the Self-Employment Project through the RI Developmental Disabilities Council, calling it Double B Photography.
“We look at what he does now, and how much he’s improved, and the patience he’s had, it’s amazing,” said Sue. “The overall production of it, he [Cliff] does a lot of the processing of the photos. Megan does framing, I look for events that he can sell at and fill out all the applications.”
Though Bryan has difficulty speaking and moving, his family said he doesn’t let his disability get in the way of doing what he loves.
“A lot of times I’ll put up his story that he has a disability and he doesn’t want me to, he doesn’t think of himself as having a disability,” said Sue. “But he will talk to people and tell them you know you can do this too. It just makes me really proud. He’s come out of his shell a lot.”
To date, Bryan has taken thousands of pictures, printing and selling his best ones to people all over.
Their support, and the recognition he’s received from it, means the world to him.
“It just makes his whole life so much better in my eyes. It brings him joy when somebody says, ‘I have that picture on my wall, I’m here to get another one,’ or, ‘I saw your pictures online I came here to buy some,’” said Pace. “I’m very impressed with him. He just pushes himself past every limit that I ever thought that he would.”
Bryan’s work is for sale at several businesses around Rhode Island including:
Harmony Products, 474 Putnam Pike, GlocesterRed White & Brew, 1800 Post Road, WarwickJack’s Irish & Italian Pub, 970 Douglas Pike, Smithfield Butterfly Kisses Gift Shop, 53 Providence St., West Warwick