Photographer Greg Jundanian went on a quest to photograph an array of barbershops scattered around Boston hoping to learn about how the locals chose to present, short hair trends and the communities cultivating them. “I started photographing in barbershops in more of a documentary style for a project called Consider This Your Home and then gradually moved towards the portrait work in Present.” To capture the portraits, Jundanian set up inside the barbershops with lights and a backdrop, and offered his potential subjects a deal: “People would get a haircut and then if they wanted, I would create their portrait and send them a professional portrait, something most people didn’t have.” Historically, the barbershop has held a significant position within its community, oftentimes being a safe place to unwind, speak your mind, and catch up with friends and familiar faces. It was not long until Jundanian was infected by the warm atmosphere of the shops, “I loved hanging out in barbershops for days on end. My added pleasure with this work is that I’ve met some great people, made many new friends and had a lot of fun in the process.”

What initially piqued your interest in capturing barbershops? I started photographing in barbershops because I’ve always been fascinated by communities, how they form, who’s in and who’s out. I was curious as to how men presented themselves across a variety of communities. I was also interested in why barbershops are communities to begin with, and how these communities differed and were the same.

What did you find about the sense of community in these shops? While there are certainly differences that are neighbourhood specific, all people go to barbershops to true up their look. This choice on how to present is a large part of a person’s identity, and having one’s barber get that right is a matter of trust. That trust goes a long way towards building community. This, along with the intimacy that comes with the physical act of getting a haircut and the constant banter, in addition to the shop’s neighbourhood, is what I believe creates community in any one particular barbershop. 

How did you choose the barbershops to photograph? In the beginning I would see an interesting barbershop from a visual point of view, walk in, introduce myself and take photographs. Then one of the barbers asked if I might work with him on making a hairstyle guide of his customers. I created five of these and thought of them more as community portraits. I fell in love with doing the portrait work and the posters, and most recently, the animations.

I found barbershops two ways. One was totally random. That was a lot of fun, but I had more success when I saw someone with a great cut and asked him where he had it done. Having a stranger like myself approach and ask that question always got a surprised look, but then often evolved into great conversation and an excellent introduction to the barber.