Cody Barry is a graphic designer and photographer. Based in Boothbay Harbor, at least for the summer, Barry is quickly becoming known for his creativity, professionalism and talent.

Calling himself a “jack of all trades,” Barry has been designing websites and creating logos, menus and signs, and overall cool, clean looks for businesses in Boothbay Harbor and around Maine.

Barry, who grew up in East Boothbay with his mother and grandparents, graduated from Boothbay Region High School in 2012. His great-great-grandfather, Frank Rice, started Rice Brothers' Boatyard in East Boothbay. The boatyard was later renamed Boothbay Marine.

During high school, Barry interned at Knickerbocker Group in Boothbay and decided to go into the architecture program at Pratt Institute upon graduation. He quickly switched to art and design, and graduated in 2014.

The summer before his junior year at Pratt, he was hired to work as an intern for National Geographic Magazine photographer Steve McCurry, in his Long Island City studio. McCurry is the photographer who took the famous photograph of a young Afghan refugee that appeared on the cover of National Geographic in 1985. Seventeen years later, McCurry went back to Afghanistan, with a crew from National Geographic Television & Film, to look for her. And they found her. The story is fascinating. You can read about it here.

Barry's first job in design after college was with Ethos Marketing Group in Westbrook where he worked on projects for Oakhurst, Wyman’s frozen products, American Flatbread and other natural food companies.

Then he went back to New York to work for a large advertising agency, Grey Advertising. “I was working for these giant corporations,” he said. “It was on Fifth Avenue. Think ‘Madmen.’ It was an awesome experience, but not really my cup of tea.”

He came home, and said now he's doing exactly what he wants to do. “I want to put my stamp on Boothbay Harbor.”

Barry, who said he has a passion for restaurant branding, has been working with Fiona Dunlap at Harborside Tavern helping her to establish its identity. “Conceptually we wanted to tie in some of historical Boothbay Harbor,” he said.” We're really just getting started, Fiona and I want to expand on the branding as we go.”

He created the logo for Herringbones and the website for East Boothbay General Store, and is working on Robinson's and Harborside's websites now. He’s also doing real estate photography for Tindal and Callahan.

And then there’s portrait photography. “I find that I'm drawn to portraiture,” he said. “I thinks that's partly through working with Steve McCurry. He captures the essence of people.” Barry said when he’s doing portraits he tries to make people feel comfortable, so they'll be, and look, natural. With his kind, gentle nature, that shouldn't be difficult. He also likes doing candids, but said he wants to have a theme, or concept, before starting a photo session. ”In school, concepting was one of the most important factors for a project. You can always make something or someone look pretty, but if there's no real concept behind it, it falls short.”

Barry said a professor at Pratt, Max Shuppert, who does photography for high-end fashion advertising, was also an inspiration. “He pushed me to follow my passions.”

The designer said he's leaning toward doing some traveling to expand on his photography, and hopes to go to Ireland at the end of the summer to visit a friend in Dublin. But, he said, Maine will always be his base.

When Barry was 14, he applied for a summer job at Wannawaf in Boothbay Harbor. Owner Anya Heyl said when he showed up, it was very busy. She said rather than sitting and interviewing him she told him to take control of the cash register while she manned the ice cream side of the stand. She said if he could manage it, she'd hire him. She did. “He was up for it,” she said. “You can train anyone to do a number of tasks, but you can't train someone to have an attitude like his. He just knew he could do it.  Anyone who's ever worked for Wannawaf I call a muffin. Once a muffin, always a muffin. All I wish for is their success and professional growth. I'm really proud of Cody. He's very sweet and very talented.”

Barry's mother, Sandy Barry, an artist and designer herself, has been a guiding light in her son's life. “My mom is the nicest person ever. When I decided I wanted to get out of architecture at Pratt I learned that the school had over-enrolled their students and there wasn't room for me in the school of art and design program. My mom called the dean of admissions, who told her she was the nicest parent ever. The dean told her there wasn't room to switch but they'd make it work. It was like a miracle, thanks to my mom. I owe her everything. We're like best friends.”

Barry said he's busy this summer but is always looking for more work. “I like bringing what I learned in New York to here. I always like to push the envelope. I want to make things as cool as they can possibly be.”

Visit Cody James Barry’s website and Facebook page.