Justin Barr
This eye-catching photo, captured by a drone from just above Busch Stadium and Interstate 64, shows the heart of the city from a fresh vantage point, looking east toward the horizon, rather than the more postcard-predictable cityscape from across the Mississippi. Capturing unexpected views of iconic sites is a calling card for photographer Justin Barr, who runs the popular Instagram account STL From Above. Over time, Barr has photographed regional institutions from City Museum to Forest Park, the Fox Theatre to St. Charles’ historic Main Street, the Abbey of Saint Mary and Saint Louis to The Grove’s neon sign, Bevo Mill to the giant ketchup T bottle in Collinsville… The list goes on and—somehow—Barr finds new aspects each time, no matter how many times the popular sites have been photographed. The University of Missouri–St. Louis graphic design major not only has a knack for interesting angles but also has a way of stirring deep emotions. When Wreaths Across America adorned rows of white military headstones at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery shortly before Christmas 2018, for instance, Barr took a dramatic video during sunrise and paired the footage with a moving rendition of “Silent Night.” Perhaps equally impressive: He’s been using drones for a relatively short time. Barr took up photography shortly before the birth of his daughter, in 2013, eventually broke into wedding photography and family portraits with the encouragement of friends, and then added aerial photography to the mix in 2017. Along the way, he’s learned the nuances of permits, insurance, FAA regulations—and grown a hobby into a successful photography business. At a time when the dreams of entrepreneurs, such as XEO Air’s Bronwyn Morgan, are taking flight here, Barr provides inspiration not only with his photography— offering a new perspective of the city for newcomers and lifelong St. Louisans alike—but also with his story.
