Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Steven Baboun . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Steven , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

I remember the first paycheck I made for my creative work. I believe I was 20/21 years old and a friend of mine, who is an amazing Haitian singer, hired me to shoot her music video for the single she was releasing. I expected nothing, I just wanted to create with my friend. At the end of the shoot, she gave me my first paycheck! And at that moment, I thought “Wait a minute… I can make art while sustaining myself fianancially?!” It was like this silly revelation. A revelation nonetheless. And the music video is one of my favorite projects. I will never forget this experience. I don’t think she even knows it was my first! (Haha)

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Steven Baboun! A queer artist, photographer, and creative director from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I’ve been an artist since I was 14. I made a decision for myself to become a full-time artist, whatever that looks like. I received my Bachelor’s in Film and Media Arts from American University and a Master of Fine Arts in Photography from Parsons School of Design. So my whole life’s trajectory has led me to the arts.

Aside from being an exhibiting artist creating work about my homeland of Haiti, I am the founder and creative director of Studio Baboun, a creative house based in Brooklyn, NY. Working with visionary artists and brands, Studio Baboun crafts immersive, dynamic, and impactful narratives through various artistic mediums, including filmmaking, photography, set and stage design, large-scale textile installations, video installations, and graphic design. With an unwavering commitment to innovation and originality, Studio Baboun creates a world of endless possibilities for its clients, providing the perfect platform for bold and meaningful storytelling. You can visit us at studiobaboun.com for more. You can also check out my fine art work at stevenbaboun.com.

Through my work, I’ve had the honor to work with amazing artists such as KANIS, Michaël Brun, Bacheler Jean Pierre, and more! I’ve also had the chance to work with amazing brands like Haiti Design Co, BAYO Tour, Haiti Cultural Exchange, and Kreyòl Essence to name a few.

I say I am an artist for Haiti and by Haiti. My practice and my ultimate goal, in everything I do, is to represent my country with pride, authenticity, and love. I want to show the world that we Haitian artists are HERE and READY to be seen, heard, and valued. Our stories matter and I, through my work, want to empower Haitian artists to reclaim their narratives and tell their country’s stories on their own terms.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I truly wish I knew about any sort of financial literacy when it comes to being a freelance artist. What are the tax protocols? What are my rights and benefits? How do I run my LLC? How much do I charge? How much can I charge? All of these questions I had to figure out by myself… and truthfully… still figuring out the system! I encourage full-time artists to learn about these things as soon as possible or as early as possible. Because we also must eat!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect about being an artist is that we are truly cultural shifters. We bring societal issues at the forefront, in a way that is digestible to people, in a way that provokes feelings and thoughts, in a way that ultiamtely can transform people. Recall a movie that has moved you! Recall a photo that has made you happy or angry or confused! Recall a song that’s made you cry or made you feel nostalgic! Artists have tangible impact in people’s lives, emotionally, mentally, and even psychiologically. We tend to forget our power, our strong voice. We are the safe havens people go to when the real world gets tough. We are escapism, a portal to altenrative problem solving, a portal to this kind of utopia or dystopia the artist presents. I think that’s so amazing. That’s powerful work! That’s extarordinary work! Think about it.

Contact Info:

• Website: stevenbaboun.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenbaboun
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenbaboun
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevenbaboun

Image Credits
Photo credits go to Steven Baboun