Barron Claiborne was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. He is a self-taught photographer and began taking photographs at the age of ten after receiving a camera as a gift from his mother.

Claiborne works primarily in large format. In 1990, he moved to New York City. For the past three years, he has worked on a project which involved 8 x 10 Polaroids of the body, women (Venus Aurea) saints and goddesses (sanctified). The inspiration for his work is both historical and mythological. The symbolic imagery represents dreams, stories, and the oral traditions of his Southern and African ancestry.

His work has appeared in numerous publications including Newsweek, The New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, and Interview, among others. His photos are featured in museums and private collections throughout the world.