Bradley Schweit is a professional photographer and the co-founder and owner of Transphat Photography. His passion for photography began as a satisfying hobby at a young age and developed into a respected profession in little over a year (quite a feat). During the day, Bradley draws on his knowledge and wits to craft tasty pieces on the sport of fishing. By night, he’s a pub and club-crawler - vampire of the nightlife scene that lives in San Diego.
From shooting live rock and punk performances at the House of Blues, Chain Reaction and The Juke Joint to snapping action shots of beautiful people raging at the Ivy Hotel, Hard Rock, 4th and B, Kin, and the W - it is clear that Bradley is a talented artist in his own right. His fine work emanates creativity and special skills that continue to be celebrated by providing a lifetime of enjoyment through some beautiful, quality and professional images… ultimately preserving the inner rock star we all unleash at night. Get to know the man behind the lens (and occasionally manning the decks) in the interview below. *snap*
There is beauty to be found everywhere. We need merely open our eyes wide enough to see it.” -Bradley
Describe a typical week in the life of Bradley.
Scribe by day, shooter by night. It’s sort of like a Shakespeare meets Ansel Adams sort of scenario… In all seriousness, strange though it may seem, especially for those who know me well, I spend my Monday through Thursday afternoons writing for an outdoor-based (fishing and hunting) publication in San Clemente, California. I don’t hunt, although I have been known to angle from time to time. Nowadays, however, with my photographic endeavors, I have little time to hit the water, as my nights and weekends are spent on the front lines of various clubs throughout downtown San Diego. Add a girlfriend and dog (two separate and very loveable entities I might add) into the mix, and a bit of DJing and drumming here and there and I’d go so far as to say there’s not a damn thing “typical” about any week.
How do you manage your time and maintain a balance with that crazy schedule of yours?
I bought a Day Planner… It helps from an organizational standpoint, but does little to assist in maintaining my sanity. I have only three little words to say in that regard: “God bless Xanax.”
You bought your first set of decks and was mixing by the age of 20, when and where did you start playing in venues?
Yup, I bought a pair of 1200s from a friend of my younger brother. That was back when I was living in Isla Vista and house parties were the rule rather than the exception. I loved those days… On any given weekend you could find at least one house/complex party with a DJ throwing down everything from trance to hip hop to drum ‘n’ bass. It was beautiful… Not to mention that was back in the era of vinyl. CD “turntables” had just made their appearance on the scene.
I started playing at house parties, which I still love doing to this day, and then segued into downtown Santa Barbara from there. I had my own progressive night called “Wax Wednesdays” at this little hole-in-the-wall by the name of Kennedy’s (which has long since been bought and sold) and I held brief residencies at Q’s and Velvet Jones on State Street.
You used to be a drummer in a band. What made you switch back to DJing and venture into nightlife photography?
I still bang the skins from time to time, but not in the capacity I used to… There simply isn’t enough time to do so unless I was playing professionally. I’ve just always had a surplus of interests and passions, so if I were to dedicate my time solely to a singular pursuit, I feel as though I’d be neglecting other outlets I feel just as passionately for.
The photography thing was always something I was interested in, but for whatever reason never had the inclination or confidence to pursue it until the last year or so. Thus far, it’s proven to be a lucrative decision. And oddly enough, shooting photos is essentially what rekindled my love for spinning records (and when I say “records,” I mean just that, as I still mix with vinyl). Just being out at clubs and shooting various DJ’s such as Glaude and Dan was inspiration enough for me. As far as my actual return to the decks, however, I’d have to say meeting my now good friend and DJ Erik Fish (a.k.a. FishFonics) was instrumental (no pun intended) in that regard. I’ve spun a number of gigs with him. He’s a hell of a guy… Go check out his MySpace.
What most annoys you about clubbers?
Their exclusivity. EDM is an umbrella term for all genres of beats. Don’t be so conceited as to assume your musical taste is or should be shared by everyone else. The scene is diverse for a reason… embrace it.
Would you rather be behind the lens or the decks? Why?
I’d rather be behind the lens whilst behind the decks, shooting the crowd. I’m the kind of guy that prefers to have his cake and eat it too…
What nightlife events/parties have been your favorites to shoot?
Shooting Glaude and Dan tag-teaming at On Broadway was amazing. I mean, to have a powerhouse pair such as those two together on one stage is a potent combination. I also dig shooting DJ Frances. She’s just fun, and one of the most personable DJ’s I’ve ever met… loves the camera.
Fieldtrip Entertainment, a local San Diego productions/promotions company throws hands-down some of the most fun, eclectic parties I’ve shot. They combine live art with live music to produce events that are both visually and aurally stimulating. Plus, Shark Attack, (a staple of Fieldtrip shows) absolutely kills it behind the decks. Go see them live if you haven’t already…
What is one of your funniest or embarrassing moments?
Oddly enough, the very first time I returned to the decks in SD. Long story short, I was going on after my buddy Erik and since he uses Serato, his settings differ greatly from mine. I thought all was fine and dandy until I went to blend a track and the volume on the track I was bringing in was twice that of the one currently playing. Oh, and just to add insult to injury, once I’d recovered from the mini-disaster, my bracelet hit the needle on the right turntable and bounced it ahead to the break. So radical…
How do you think the scene in San Diego differs from elsewhere?
I’d love to sugarcoat this one, but I’m a straight shooter (pun intended). Aside from Giant at Spin and a few core promotion companies who throw solid house shows (Injoy Presents, for example) the San Diego music scene is just bland. I mean, every downtown DJ spins the same tracks because the promotion companies who book them want a certain sound. I understand the politics of it, and the desire to make money, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to either agree with it or embrace it. I vividly recall shooting at a club one night with my best friend and business partner Devin White, and hearing the house remix of One Republic’s “Apologize” as we left. Not only did we hear it in two additional venues as we headed to our second locale of the night, but when we got to our destination, guess what the DJ happened to be spinning at that very moment? I just shook my head and said, “Wow…” Such is the state of EDM in San Diego. Sad, but true…
Words of wisdom?
Spin what you love, don’t be so narrow-minded (in terms of both life and music), and be kind to your neighborhood nightlife photogs. I think Confucius said that…
You can check out all of Bradley’s photography on his myspace photography page, or the Transphat Photography website he runs with Devin Kiyoshi White, a.k.a. Kiyoshi Photography.
