Local
hip-hop and rap have always maintained themselves as an underground
fixture in Utah, making them both some of the few local genres you
have to invest yourself into to know everything. Now some of those
with a passion for the music have started documenting it in different
ways both to showcase and tome it away for people to
discover.
--- Patiri Photography has been doing its share, taking
pictures of the artists and the events all across Northern Utah,
giving the unknown and hard-to-find exposure while the principal
photographer has been making a name for themselves professionally. I
got a chance to chat with the woman herself, Bethany Fischer, about
her photos and body of work, as well as thoughts on the scene and a
few other topics that came up. Along with some samples of her work
from local and national artists.
Bethany
Fischer
http://www.myspace.com/patiriphotography
Gavin:
Hey Bethany! First off, tell us a little bit about
yourself.
Bethany:
Lately I have been driving myself crazy trying to find this De La
Soul Is Dead album, its outta print and I'm determined to find
it. I have a wide range of influences in hip hop, punk, hardcore, and
graffiti. My photography is what I live for daily. I have an
incredible determination for pursuing it and succeeding in it. Most
of my style in my photos is just based off how I see the world,
gritty and beautiful. I have tons to be thankful for and try my
absolute hardest to not take anything for granted. I'm a truly
blessed individual. I'm also a ninja in my spare time, but keep that
on the low.
Gavin:
What first got you interested in photography?
Bethany:
I've always liked pictures but once I really got going in it I was
inspired by guys like Estevan Oriol, Craig Wetherby and Ricky Powell.
They are mostly specific to photography of the hip hop genre. I loved
the raw grittiness of it all.
Gavin:
Did you seek out any education for your craft or was it all
self-taught?
Bethany:
I'm a self taught champ! I have taken some community courses for
basics skills and knowledge. School would be amazing though. Somebody
invest in this amazing talented lady! Anyone? Anyone?
Gavin:
Prior to you starting up professionally, I read you had come down
with some major health issues. What were you going through at the
time?
Bethany:
In 2006 on a routine physical at the doctors they found a large mass
in my thyroid. (Insert the Indiana Jones Theme music here.) After a
inconclusive biopsy I opted to have the mass surgically removed. When
I woke up from the surgery they told me they had removed my entire
thyroid and that it was cancer. I faced massive ninja attacks, iodine
radiation treatments, and dodged moving airplane propellers. After it
all I still have my hair and am proud to report that I now glow in
the dark.
Gavin:
How was it for you recuperating, and what started drawing you toward
the new career?
Bethany:
Recuperating was a giant roller coaster and it still is. Cancer
brought photography into my life though. Before surgery I wasn't
pursuing anything I loved. After I got out of the hospital a friend
of mine borrowed me his point and shoot and I just started playing
around trying things. Turned out I pretty much am a super hero behind
the lens. I completely fell in love with photography and to find
something you love that much and pursue it to the fullest is the best
feeling in the world.
Gavin:
What was the initial draw for you to cover more of the hip-hop and
graffiti scenes?
Bethany:
Hip Hop is where my roots are. My big brother is one of those old
timers in the hip hop scene here in SLC. He is most well known as
Fisch and is currently in the group The Rotten Musicians, and was
originally in The Numbs. Its because of him that when I was little I
was into groups like Boogie Down Productions and Leaders of the New
School. I grew up around it, but as I grew I got tired of being known
as Fisch's little sister. I had something to prove and wanted to
make a name for myself. So I did.
Gavin:
At what point did you officially decide to turn it into a
business?
Bethany:
It really doesn't feel like I'm in business yet. I'm still building
to get there. I have a huge resume for only doing this two years and
tons to show for myself but ya know its just not a business in my
eyes until I can solely live off it and it can pay all my bills.
Hmmmm.... hey City Weekly, you hiring photographers?
Gavin:
Do you prefer traditional film or digital, and why?
Bethany:
Most professional photographers will say with a snotty voice that
they "highly prefer film of course." Its true that digital
has changed the course of photography and made it that every other
trophy wife or bored husband with a decent camera calls themselves a
photographer these days. That's fine by me though I love the
competition. My digital camera is what I prefer to work with at this
point. Film is a art form and once I have more schooling I want to be
able to develop my own prints and everything but till then I'm fine
with digital.
Gavin:
Since were on the topic, what kind of equipment do you shoot
with?
Bethany:
I could tell you that but then I'd have to kill you! Just kidding. I
prefer Nikon cameras right now at this moment and don't use ANY
lighting or other equipment. Its just me and my camera. That's what
makes it all the more rad.
Gavin:
Was it difficult for you to get started and find clients or did
things manage to work out from the get-go?
Bethany:
Starting out was more fun than difficult. It really provided a
challenge for me to network locally and nationally. My first major
break was getting to shoot Evidence and Little Brother (which
consists of Phonte and Big Pooh) in 2007. I had twenty minutes in a
horribly lit record store to try to get any kind of decent pictures
to present them for media. In the end those pictures were used for
one of Phonte's album covers, hip hop magazines in Italy and all over
the internet. It all kinda blew up from there. Its a lot of work and
networking but its what I love so its worth it.
Gavin:
Who are some of the people you've done work for both on a local and
national scale?
Bethany:
Oh I love all my locals, Mindstate, TML, The KnoItAlls, Miss Mindy,
Marcus Alexander, and tons more. I highly recommend checking out
those Mindstate cats, they are some of the best local hip hop you can
find in the city. Nationally I have a continually growing resume but
a few of the national artists I've done work for are, Evidence of
Dilated Peoples, Little Brother, Del the Funky Homosapien, Souls of
Mischeif, Akil of Jurassic 5, Strong Arm Steady, Pigeon John, Louis
Logic, Living Legends, Masta Ace, and Binary Star.
Gavin:
Considering the work you do, do you prefer the studio clients or the
live shows?
Bethany:
Location shoots are preferred. I shoot shows but hate it because
show pictures mostly all look the same and its so repetitive and
boring. I'd rather watch the show and enjoy it than be crammed on the
side trying to get a shot of a rapper with a mic shoved up his
nose.
Gavin:
What are your future plans or goals as far as being a
photographer?
Bethany:
I have tons I want to accomplish and some seriously BIG goals. I
want to do work for magazines like Vibe, Source, XXL, Juxtapoz, BUST,
Missbehave and Swindle. I want to shoot for different company's and
designers like Claw Money, LRG, 10 Deep, Fresh Jive, Seventh Letter,
and lots more. I would love to do shoots with as many amazing hip
hop artists and music artists in general as I can. I want to have a
my own studio, travel all over the country and internationally, and
eventually do nothing but shoot rappers day in and day out. Like I
said I have big goals and am extremely tenacious about pursuing
them.
Gavin:
A little state-wide, what are your thoughts on the local art scene,
both good and bad?
Bethany:
I think the art scene is pretty healthy here honestly. There is a
awesome array of local art shows that happen on a regular basis. Both
fine works and urban art are both supported from my point of view.
More recently though, awesome projects like 337 and the Mac & Retna
piece on second south, are helping to grow the more urban side of
arts in the community and I think its great!
Gavin:
Is there anything you feel could be done to make it bigger or
better?
Bethany:
More ideas and investments like 337 because projects like that bring
a wider audience to the urban arts. Graffiti is so amazing and we
have some really talented artists here in SLC. Its a shame it has
such a bad rep but projects like 337 and the Mac & Retna wall
really show people a different side to it.
Gavin:
What's your take on the local hip-hop and rap scenes and how they're
holding a place in the community?
Bethany:
I think that its trying its best to thrive in a city that can be
welcoming and warm when it wants to be, but in general we stand in
our own way a lot. I don't mean to be negative about our hip-hop
scene but its true. As a female in a male dominated scene its
exhausting dealing with giant ego after giant ego from a bunch of
locals who have no reason to be cocky cause they have nothing to show
for themselves. People here have such a chip on their shoulder like
everyone owes them something or like people should be kissing their
ass because ten years ago they put out a wack album that went nowhere.
Everyone wants support or something for free but then they don't
wanna put anything back into the scene. I think there would be a huge
difference if all these dudes who think their so elite would pull
their heads out and just get over themselves. And if your getting
pissed off reading this your probably one of the assholes I'm talking
about.
Gavin:
What can we expect from you over the next year?
Bethany:
I do not plan on stopping or letting up any time soon. I'm planning
on becoming a legend and that takes time, hard work and a superhero
cape. You can expect to be seeing more and more from me and of
me!
Gavin: Is
there anything you'd like to plug or promote?
Bethany:
Oh absolutely! December 19th, Patiri Photography and Peach Boutique
are having a art and fashion show from 6-11PM. Its at 1401 South and
Main Street and is completely free to attend. There will be a full
fashion presentation, photography and urban art works. I highly
recommend checking it out!