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This new digital era would introduce audiences to reality television, a platform where Barker would make his public debut. Shows such as "America's Next Top Model" and later on, "The Face," gave Barker an opportunity to demystify the world of fashion and gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like being in front of the camera as a model and behind the lens as a photographer. The initial response, however, was not always positive, Barker explained, recalling backlash he received for the show's over-the-top avant- garde shoots. "The funny thing is, if you look at some of the greatest photos in fashion history, they were always extreme. We pulled every idea that we ever did from the archives of places like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. When the show began, we worked with sponsors like Seventeen Magazine and Walmart and as the seasons went on, we added people like André Leon Talley to the panel and the show went from being very out of vogue to extremely en vogue." Regardless of what type of shoot Barker works on, he stated that at the end of the day, his methodology doesn't change. "I do truly approach every shot the same way. The reason being that no matter if it's food, a landscape, my child, a dog or half-dressed supermodel, the photograph is always about some kind of story or narrative. I'm not about finding the perfect lighting or anything like that, I'm much more concerned with what the subject is saying to me." Barker admitted that he likes to channel the emotions of each photo and lets the subject guide him as to how it will turn out, rather than hoping the feeling is there later. In November of 2016, Barker aired his first show "Top Photographer," a competition series meant to showcase different types of photography from people with various backgrounds. "There have been people on the show that are very experienced but there are also ones who really, technically, don't know how to use a camera but they produce great images," Barker said. "It's interesting because you could argue that maybe that person isn't a real photographer but ultimately, for me, having the eye is the magic." Photo-centric social media outlets such as Instagram have been obvious game-changers for the photography field; however, Barker is surprisingly in favor of the expansion, voicing that it allows everyone the same opportunities for creativity. "Almost everyone in the world has a phone with a camera on it and that gives everyone a chance to play with photography. It's not about being featured in print or even pursuing it as a career, it has to do with being an artist and keeping up with the changing times." V U E N J . C O M 27 VUE ON FASHION

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