Studio Space: Barbara Banks

Photographer Barbara Banks may capture her subjects on film, but it’s the memories that leave a lasting impression.

By Nick Reichert
| 6:00 a.m. April 8, 2015

Arts + Culture

Sarasota native Barbara Banks majored in education at Florida State University because she was always fascinated by science, biology, math and education. But there was another undercurrent running through her passions: photography.

“These portraits were done for the Sarasota Ballet. I was starting out taking individual headshots, but they started looking like yearbook photos, so I wanted to take individual portraits of the dancers as people. And also, because they’re athletes, I did

After holding various jobs ranging from public relations to teaching, Banks took the artistic leap in 1999: She left her full-benefits job as a PR person for a medical company in Tampa and started taking photos professionally.

“I got my first camera when I was child,” says Banks. “I was 8 years old when I got a plastic gray-and-pink Brownie camera.”

“My sister gave this Bozo the clown punching bag to me. I like to clown around a lot. It helps to have him in the studio because a lot of people get nervous when they’re getting their picture taken. It adds a little humor.”

In 2010 she moved into her spacious photography studio at 1421 Fifth St. in the Rosemary District. Inside are not only finished pieces, works in progress and computer and camera equipment, but numerous memories stored in the thousands of photos in filing cabinets and on hard drives.

“In my work, I meet some of the most amazing people of all walks of life,” says Banks. “I get a brief window into people’s lives.”