SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WJAR) \u2014 A Smithfield man with an eye for detail and a passion with a purpose is quite popular among those who appreciate photography. <\/p>\n
In 2019, 30-year-old Bryan Baron, who is developmentally disabled and has dystonia movement disorder, attended a photography class.<\/p>\n
“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. \u201cBryan 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\u2019re doing and think about letting him sell his photography, go out take more pictures and start a small photography business.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bryan was hooked, especially when it came to taking pictures of birds.<\/p>\n
His parents said prior to the class, he had always been interested in photography.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really started during Covid because we really couldn\u2019t go anywhere so he\u2019d just take his camera out in the backyard and take pictures of whatever came to him,” said Cliff Baron, Bryan’s dad. \u201cHe always carried his camera and phone around and took pictures so it wasn\u2019t really a surprise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Megan Pace, an employee of the state of Rhode Island, works with Bryan as his direct support professional. <\/p>\n
She fully supported him diving into the photography business.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore, we were working at a bowling alley doing an internship pretty much and he was cleaning trash cans and lockers and I just didn\u2019t find that to be fulfilling for somebody\u2019s life, or right really,” said Pace. \u201cI\u2019m just trying to help him love his best life possible. It\u2019s very hard in the disability community to find jobs that are meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bryan began perfecting his photography skills and selling his photos at local events including farmer’s markets.<\/p>\n