For the next five weeks, Fujifilm’s Fujikina NYC 2022 is taking over our Photo of the Day and Week series, putting the spotlight on five of their featured creators speaking at Fujikina NYC 2022 on September 10. Each photographer has been making images with Fujifilm’s latest X Series cameras and will be featured here. First up: Photographer Bethany Mollenkof.

Born in the South, Mollenkof grew up in Kenya and South Africa, and graduated with a B.A. in photojournalism from Western Kentucky University. Currently residing in Los Angeles, the commercial director and editorial photographer’s work often examines gender, identity, and culture, where she seeks to tell stories that reframe familiar narratives. “I come a from big family that always told stories at the dinner table and that in turn drew me to documentary photography because it combines the things I love most—making something beautiful but also dealing with reality, talking to people and learning their stories.”

No stranger to imaging and creating new possibilities, Mollenkof has worked tirelessly to create her own path as a photographer. The project featured here, Sister, was created for Fujifilm’s Fujikina NYC 2022 event and is an intense and moving mixed-media essay, documenting the rites of passage and coming-of-age stories of girls of color.

Below is Nyarae Francis,18, a recent high school graduate from Inglewood, California. Says Mollenkof: “Nyarae writes poetry to find healing and growth through her words. I wanted to create her portrait because she powerfully embodies what it looks like to express freely and openly. Her words invite the audience into her world in such a special way and I wanted her portrait to have that same expansiveness.”

Mollenkof says Janell Thompson (below), 18, has always been a passionate singer and expresses herself through her voice and song. “She is moving away from home to start college and I wanted to show her gentle, thoughtful spirit in the portrait I created of her.”

Samatrah Burroughs, 17, (below) is a senior in high school and has spent the last two years navigating remote school, turning 16 and making friends during a pandemic. “She is my neighbor and I noticed how carefree she seemed to be while skating,” says Mollenkof. “Being a teenager is hard enough and her resilience during such an intense time drew me to her.”

No matter what topic Mollenkof takes on, she commits herself to “listening, showing up and being present. I consider it a sacred process to create images that tell others’ stories and that doesn’t change if the work is for a client or for myself. My style is always evolving depending on what the story calls for and what interests me at the time.”

Instagram: @fancybethany
Website: bethanymollenkof.com

Fujikina NYC 2022 is free and open to the public. Guests are required to register and book a time slot to attend the event, as well as reserve space in a workshop, photo walk or touch and try session they wish to attend. To learn more, visit the event site here.

Dig into our Photo of the Day archives for even more eye-catching portraits and photos with unique and cool photo techniques. Submit your wedding portraits, editorial, documentary and commercial image submissions here:  jacqueline.tobin@emeraldx.com