Fatine-Violette Sabiri is an up and coming photographer living between Montreal and Casblanca, where she was originally born. 20 years old, Fatine’s documentation of the teenage world is intimate and true. Images of her boyfriend laying in bed, or a friend’s expectant stare, make for a visual diary of Fatine’s personal life. This month she’s coming out with a photo book which archives her teen years – 2010 to 2014. – CM
1. Why do you take photos?
I’ve always liked the idea of having an archive — I have several boxes where I keep movie tickets, restaurant bills, any kind of objects that are linked to a memory. To me, photography is taking this habit one step further: I can archive moods, feelings, specific moments in time. Also, behind a camera I can look at people as long as I want, in the angle I want. I really like faces.
2. Do you carry your camera with you everywhere you go?
Yes, most of the time. When I go out at night I bring only a small point and shoot. It’s really cheap but it has a flash and it’s really transportable.
3. What celebrity would you like to shoot most?
Björk or Danny Brown. Shooting nudes of Riff Raff would be quite amazing.
4. What animal would you like to be, if not a human?
A black panther or a rabbit.
5. What is your favorite smell?
The elevator in my father’s apartment in Casablanca.
6. Would you like to live forever?
No
7. What do you think is the best photo you have ever taken to date?
I like to see my work as different series where each image nourishes the next, so choosing one specific photo is kind of difficult for me but I’ll try: There’s this really cold and static image of my friend Jean-Guy and I that I really like where I’m holding a Moroccan newspaper and he has a shirt with arab typography on it. There’s also a picture of my boyfriend sleeping + an image of my friend Juliette’s back lit with flash and I really love seeing these two photos side by side. Another diptych that I like is one of my friend Anna smoking on my balcony next to a picture of a wet table with glasses, a lighter and an ashtray.
8. What’s your favorite pastime?
I was in a choir for five years and I still love to sing so I try to practice my voice every time I get the chance. Also I’m a fast speaker so I have good rap skills, and I try to learn one rap song by heart every two or three weeks.
9. Do you like having your photo taken?
Yes i love it, it makes me better at handling awkwardness and at looking at people in the eyes.
10. Who are your favorite photographers, currently?
I really loveHobbes Ginsbergand Osma Harvilahti — their work is flawless in terms of shapes, colours and subject.
Shoot the Breeze: Fatine-Violette Sabiri
Fatine-Violette Sabiri is an up and coming photographer living between Montreal and Casblanca, where she was originally born. 20 years old, Fatine’s documentation of the teenage world is intimate and true. Images of her boyfriend laying in bed, or a friend’s expectant stare, make for a visual diary of Fatine’s personal life. This month she’s coming out with a photo book which archives her teen years – 2010 to 2014. – CM
1. Why do you take photos?
I’ve always liked the idea of having an archive — I have several boxes where I keep movie tickets, restaurant bills, any kind of objects that are linked to a memory. To me, photography is taking this habit one step further: I can archive moods, feelings, specific moments in time. Also, behind a camera I can look at people as long as I want, in the angle I want. I really like faces.
2. Do you carry your camera with you everywhere you go?
Yes, most of the time. When I go out at night I bring only a small point and shoot. It’s really cheap but it has a flash and it’s really transportable.
3. What celebrity would you like to shoot most?
Björk or Danny Brown. Shooting nudes of Riff Raff would be quite amazing.
4. What animal would you like to be, if not a human?
A black panther or a rabbit.
5. What is your favorite smell?
The elevator in my father’s apartment in Casablanca.
6. Would you like to live forever?
No
7. What do you think is the best photo you have ever taken to date?
I like to see my work as different series where each image nourishes the next, so choosing one specific photo is kind of difficult for me but I’ll try: There’s this really cold and static image of my friend Jean-Guy and I that I really like where I’m holding a Moroccan newspaper and he has a shirt with arab typography on it. There’s also a picture of my boyfriend sleeping + an image of my friend Juliette’s back lit with flash and I really love seeing these two photos side by side. Another diptych that I like is one of my friend Anna smoking on my balcony next to a picture of a wet table with glasses, a lighter and an ashtray.
8. What’s your favorite pastime?
I was in a choir for five years and I still love to sing so I try to practice my voice every time I get the chance. Also I’m a fast speaker so I have good rap skills, and I try to learn one rap song by heart every two or three weeks.
9. Do you like having your photo taken?
Yes i love it, it makes me better at handling awkwardness and at looking at people in the eyes.
10. Who are your favorite photographers, currently?
I really love Hobbes Ginsberg and Osma Harvilahti — their work is flawless in terms of shapes, colours and subject.