Brewing with Creativity

Creativity’, for Betoka Swu, is the source of everything. He runs a coffee house called ‘Hiyo’ in the commercial hub of Nagaland, but beyond the beverage is a mind brewing with creativity. He has been capturing life in different shades ever since he discovered his love for photography although he feels he is a photographer by chance.
He recalls that it actually happened when he did a small project for NPMHR in New Delhi with his friends few years back and got a good response from the audience. Subsequently having done his first exhibition at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, he has also attended few workshops conducted by renowned photographers. Although without any formal training in this aspect, Betoka believes that these activities have helped him in becoming what he is now.
Delhi is the place where his encounter with the art first took place as he explored new horizons and got to know people. “And eventually things started rolling from there,” he says, as he goes back to remembering that he has been shooting since 2010.At the mention of the very word ‘photography’, his mind is easily connected with ‘capturing the moments’. Indeed, photography is the means through which moments come alive and memories of times long gone are revived.
Betoka has particularly been fascinated with capturing weddings, and so without a doubt his favourite subject is ‘Wedding Photography’, which, he also says, is his forte, although that’s not all that he’s good at. His images of artistes on and off the stage are also something to talk about.
He observes that photography is a new profession here. “Challenges come everyday, but the greatest challenge I feel now is getting our society to accept that Photography is also a profession like any other,” he emphasises.
The passionate photographer strongly feels that photography allows you to tell stories. Towards this end, he says, “I wish people could express their feelings through the lens and throw the light about Nagas’ ways of living to the other parts of the world.”“Art for me is discovering things and making it worth something. Making it sellable!” he goes on to say and, being even more practical, he adds that the part he likes most about his job is “the fact that I get paid for doing something I love.”
He is happy shooting and editing on any given day, but apart from these, he is also drawn to Graphic Designing, Music and Travelling. Fitting to his interests, the young, creative entrepreneur from Satakha under Zunheboto district manages Alobo Naga and the Band, “For the love of Music and travelling” as he puts it.The graduate from Patkai Christian College, who describes himself as simple, fun loving and living it out, however considers himself an average entrepreneur and feels that he is still struggling, and so, not living his dream yet. But it has always been his ambition to serve the Naga society in whatever capacity. Needless to say, he is already doing his bit by making use of his creative talents.

Betoka first Wedding picture featured in bigindianwedding.com

Nominated for TOP 100 bridal portraiture in weddingsutra.com

Few years from now, he would like to build a Home Studio, do more projects and travel some more. It also remains his hope that people start to understand the importance of photography.And his coffee house – Hiyo – well, it’s not just another coffee joint. Besides being his networking base for his photography passion, it has become one of the best known places where the most interesting events brew up a storm.