Jaime Ibarra

Artist Jaime Ibarra was born in Spain but grew up in Australia. From a young age, Ibarra was fascinated by the camera, and after working for several years as a graphic designer, he decided to focus exclusively on photography. Jaime Ibarra focuses solely on fine art photography, with only a few exceptions. This makes him relatively unique in his field, as most photographers create personal work rooted in fashion, reportage, or commercial photography. When asked about major influences or sources of inspiration, Ibarra states that he doesn’t spend much time looking at other artists’ work. “In terms of visual creativity, I prefer to keep my mind as pure as possible, so it’s not influenced by others.” Music is a true source of inspiration for him. The moods created by music, the colors it evokes, the story in well-written lyrics—music has a greater impact on Ibarra than any visual medium. As he puts it, “For me, photography is like painting, but with mood instead of paint.” As a photographer, Ibarra values his ability to communicate with his model or subject more than high-end cameras or equipment. He works exclusively with professional models who allow him to translate his concepts into images. He draws lighting from any available source at the moment, whether it be the sun, candles, neon signs, or a street lamp. His studio is often just a simple blank wall, with light from a nearby window falling on the subject. In addition to this pure form of photography, Ibarra sometimes uses his extensive experience as a graphic designer to create a completely different world through composite imagery—a world in terms of composition and color that extends far beyond what a studio shoot can capture. This allows Ibarra to immerse the viewer in his breathtaking vision, imagination, and fantasy.