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In an effort to share truly interesting stories and interviews, we’re sitting down talking to Sylvia Hagar of Prick Magazine. If you’ve ever picked up a Prick Magazine, you’ve probably admired photography by Syl. She juggles a couple different jobs for Prick, but her primarily job for the magazine is photographer. Once you start reading the interview below, I think you’ll quickly learn why I think this is truly interesting.

I’ve made it known how much of a fan of Prick Magazine before, so when I had the opportunity to ask Syl a couple questions, and share her outstanding work – I was all about it.

Tattoo Snob: Prior to photography, you were involved in cancer research. What exactly did you do? Why did you decide to make this radical move?

Sylvia Hagar: I used to work at the German Cancer Research Center and University of Heidelberg in fruit fly laboratories specializing in microinjections with fly embryos. I enjoyed working in the science field but felt like my life needed a change. I’ve always wanted to live in foreign countries as well as make art a bigger part of my life.

I had always wanted to peruse photography or something design related but in Germany anything artsy was not looked upon as a ‘real job’. So I packed up and moved to Atlanta, where I had never been before to follow, as lame as it may sound, it was my dream.

TS: Most readers have seen your name floating around, primarily in Prick Magazine. How did that relationship come about?

SH: After immigrating to the U.S. and waiting on my green card I did not know what to do with all my free time. That was the time when I bought my first SLR, a Canon Rebel XT. Back then I spent most of my days sitting in the back yard taking pictures of squirrels.

Prick Magazine was looking for interns right around the same time. I thought to myself I had nothing to lose and sent in my resume. At first I didn’t hear back from them and decided to send in another email checking up on my application. This time I mentioned jokingly having a hot German accent and ended up with an interview the very next day. I was hired during the interview and had to shoot a band the following night. At the time I had never been anywhere in Atlanta, nor had I ever photographed a live band before. All I knew was how to push that on/off button on my camera. Long story short it was scary but it somehow all worked out. I’ve been working with the publication for over 3 years now and have had 10 magazine covers with them.

TS: What type of camera do you typically shoot with?

I still shoot with the first canon I bought back in 06 which is a Canon Rebel XT. I’m not very high tech and I am a complete dummy when it comes to the technical part of photography. I am all self taught and unfortunately don’t have the patience to even read any tutorials. I like to do whatever seems right at the time of the shoot.

I’m long over do for a camera upgrade. Investing in some new gear is the goal for 2010.

TS: How do you go about choosing whom you want to photograph?

SH: I am always on the lookout for heavily tattooed ladies either for tattoo publications or my own “just for fun” photo shoots. For the work related session I look for quality tattoos as well as posing skills and personality. When I chose to set something up just for my own pleasure I usually end up having friends pose for me who you can see in most of my photo galleries.

I have also gotten a lot of request for engagement sessions as well as weddings. I’ve been very fortunate to have all young, hip clients who will completely trust my judgment and let me do whatever I want.

Girls who are interested in working with me usually find me on ModelMayhem or Myspace.

TS: What are some of your favorite tattoo conventions to attend/work at? Do you have any you specifically like to work, or any new ones you’ll be checking out this year?

SH: Honestly I have not been to that many tattoo conventions. Personally I prefer to get tattooed in the artists shop. When it comes to covering conventions I really enjoy hanging out at the Tampa convention. It’s the perfect combination of talent, friends and fun.

When I’m ready to go back to Germany for a visit I will try my best to make it to the Amsterdam convention. Since Europe is finally starting to catch up with the quality of tattoos that the U.S. has had for years, I am eager to see what has changed in the 5 years I’ve been gone.

TS: Let’s talk about the last time you were tattooed – who did it, and what was it?

SH: My last tattoo was a set of tiny pink bunny ears done at the last Tampa convention. I’m official bunny number 39 of the Aaron Is Bunny Brigade. My last more serious and planned tattoo was a tree jackalope by Russ Abott of Ink and Dagger Tattoo in Atlanta, GA.

TS: Are there any artists out there you’d like to be tattooed by, space and time permitting of course?

SH: I’m hoping to get more work done by Nate Beavers of Epoch Tattoo in Texas. He’s not only an amazing artist but has also become a close friend which is a huge plus for the whole tattooing experience.

Annie Walker, fellow German, is another one of my favorite artists. Nothing beats getting a beer drinking owl in Lederhosen tattooed on you while talking about sausage and sauerkraut recipes.

I try to stay away from big egos and trophy collecting tattooers and rather keep my eyes open for talent that’s been “under the radar”.

TS: What are you involved with aside from Prick Magazine?

SH: About a year ago my good friend Geoff Stephenson started an online publication about the world of roller derbies. I’ve been working for Fracture as a staff photographer since day one.

This past summer PRICK’s publisher Chuck Brank started another publication named Ruckus. The magazine is an alternative version of a family magazine and I really enjoy contributing whenever I can fit in my schedule. I have a feeling the magazine will be a big hit in the near future.

TS: Any last minute plugs?

SH: My website, Flickr, Myspace, ModelMayhem, and Facebook

Other posts on TattooSnob you may enjoy:

1. Exclusive: Pint Sized Paintings Interview
2. Tattoo tune-up special
3. Ink ‘N’ Iron Collaboration video
4. Convention openings
5. The Michael Phelps of tattooing

Tags: Ink and Dagger Tattoo, Nate Beavers, photography, Prick Magazine, Russ Abbott, Sylvia Hagar

This entry was posted on Monday, January 4th, 2010 at 10:15 am and is filed under Submissions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.