Nigel Barker English fashion photographer and former model Date of Birth: 27.04.1972 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Nigel Barker
2. Early Life and Education
3. Modeling Career
4. Career as a Judge and Television Personality
5. Philanthropy and Recognition

Biography of Nigel Barker

Nigel Barker is an English fashion photographer and former model, best known for his work as a judge and photographer on the reality show "America's Next Top Model." He was born in London and grew up in a large family, with five siblings from three different marriages of his parents.

Early Life and Education

Barker attended Bryanston School in London, where he excelled in subjects such as biology, chemistry, and physics. After completing his education, he initially planned to pursue a career in medicine. However, his mother, a former Miss Sri Lanka, encouraged him to participate in a model search for the television show "Clothes Show." Barker made it to the finals and thus began his career in the fashion industry.

Modeling Career

Barker worked as a model for ten years, walking the runways in London, Milan, Paris, and New York. However, he soon realized that he didn't want to be just a model and decided to transition into photography. He opened his own photography studio, StudioNB, in the trendy Meat Packing district of Manhattan. His studio quickly gained recognition, and Barker's services were sought after by top fashion publications and brands such as GQ, Interview, Lucky, Nicole Miller, Ted Baker, Lands' End, and Frederick's of Hollywood.

Career as a Judge and Television Personality

Currently, Barker is known as one of the judges on Tyra Banks' popular reality show, "America's Next Top Model." He has also served as a judge on other similar projects, including the Miss America pageant in 2007. Additionally, Barker has worked in various roles in television, serving as the executive producer of the reality photography competition show, "The Shot," which aired on VH1. He has also been invited to appear on international versions of "America's Next Top Model," such as "Canada's Next Top Model," "New Zealand's Next Top Model," "Mexico's Next Top Model," and "Benelux Next Top Model."

Philanthropy and Recognition

Barker has been actively involved in philanthropic endeavors. In 2010, he organized a photography exhibition titled "Haiti: Hunger and Hope" at the Milk Gallery in New York. This exhibition earned him a nomination for the VH1 Do Something Award, which recognizes individuals making a positive impact on the lives of others worldwide.

Barker is currently working on a book about beauty secrets, scheduled to be published in 2010. In September 1999, he married model Cristen Barker, and they have been happily married in New York, raising their two children.