WHO IS DEBORAH BARAK, DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER?

South African born, I grew up barefoot and climbing trees in a commune, the daughter of hippie parents: an Egyptian born mother and my father a Detroit American of Russian and Polish descent.

Having grown up in a country undergoing great political upheaval, I am drawn to exploring the huge diversity of human experience, and  to trying to find common connections. This has always been behind my attraction to documentary forms. I studied documentary film at the University of Cape Town, and got my first work in South Africa's burgeoning film industry.

At 22 I followed a family tradition of moving one's life to a different continent, and left to explore my rather shallow American roots. I ended up in New York, where I have based myself since, inspired by the energy and diversity of human experience. 

I've spent many years working as a nonfiction TV producer for various production companies, but mostly for the most excellent Silent Crow Arts. 

This drive to document the connections and in-between moments reaches across the spectrum, from the shoot from the hip styles of street photography to the intimacy of photographing families.

I live in Brooklyn and will follow the call to shoot anywhere in the world. 

CURRENT PERSONAL PROJECTS