Intro
In an effort to humanize my work, I’ve decided to kickstart this blog and figured an introduction would be suitable! If you’re new here, thanks for stopping by. If you’ve been here, I’m glad you’ve stuck around. On that note…
I’m Kat and I am a documentary photographer based in Texas. Though my roots are in central Texas — specifically Austin and Brenham — I consider home anywhere I lay my head at night. I’ve been photographing rural and abandoned Texas for over ten years, but I got my start with film photography in 2006 when I accidentally bought my first film camera. Though I was disappointed at the time, I’d come to learn that film photography would soon take me on a long and rewarding journey spanning 17 years.
I grew up roaming Texas’ Blackland Prairies in east central Texas. The farm I grew up on sits just 15 miles east of Washington-on-the-Brazos where Texas signed its Declaration of Independence after establishing itself as its own country separate from Mexico. History lines the roads I grew up on and my family lines the history books of Washington County. As such, my work is an extension of my upbringing; a visual love letter to the state I’ve called home my entire life.
Both of my grandfathers have been great influences on me. Grandpa Swansey was a photographer himself, and I spent much of my childhood attempting to sneak into his office where I knew cameras and dark room equipment would be hiding. On the rare occasion that I wasn’t caught doing things I knew I shouldn’t be, shutters were clicked and sparks flew. He died when I was 11 and though our time together was cut short, his impact and work with film photography continues to inspire me as an adult. His camera — a prized 1967 Miranda Sensorex — and several of his lenses line the shelves in my office serving as a gentle reminder to always keep shooting. Wherever he is, I hope he’s proud of me.
My maternal grandfather, affectionately known as Papa, is a third generation Texan who still lives on the farm he was born on just outside city limits in Brenham, Texas. A hell-raiser in his younger years, he had an affinity for taking the backroads for reasons I won’t advertise online. That same fondness for backroads carried over into my childhood where we’d cruise the forgotten corners of Washington County in his ‘67 Chevelle convertible. These days we still cruise the backroads of Washington County in his award winning ‘57 Ruby Red Chevy C10 truck. When we’ve seen all there is to see, we finish up the day with a cold Lone Star Beer on the breezeway and watch deer gallivant through the Live Oaks.
Over the last 17 years, I have accumulated thousands of images of rural Texas. From shuttered beer joints to national parks, I’ve done my best to capture the essence of the South leaving no question about Texas’ vast landscape and natural wonders. Several of these images were compiled into Texas Textures, my first ever photo-book consisting of 144 pages of photographs and tales from the road. Publishing a book has been a dream of mine since childhood. Though I was not able to find a publisher, self publishing the book has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Texas Textures has become a pillar of my work and I plan to release several editions with new imagery. I’d also like to explore working with galleries and I hope to have my first solo exhibition later this year or in early 2024.
While most of my work is centered on rural and abandoned Texas, I am also quite fond of the American West and have spent the last five years exploring everywhere from Texas to California and all the dirt roads I can find in between. I also love traveling out of the country and I have thoroughly enjoyed photographing Mexico, Spain, England, and Cuba. My trip to Cuba in September 2022 challenged me both personally and creatively. I became enamored with the people and architecture and found myself embracing street photography — a style that I often do my best to avoid. Unfortunately a week after my visit, Hurricane Ian ravaged the province I stayed in and devastated the island. I sold prints from my trip and donated over $7,000 Cuban Pesos to benefit people affected by the hurricane.
Outside of photography, I am very fortunate to have made a career in travel and hospitality. This December will mark my 10 year anniversary working in travel-tech and I am immensely grateful that I have been able to merge my career and passion for photography. When I’m not traveling for work or pleasure, I enjoy shootin’ the shit with friends at the local honky tonk, enjoying a glass of tequila, and rooting for my beloved San Antonio Spurs. On a rare weekend off, I find myself being called back home to Brenham where I love nothing more than to read a book, enjoy a breeze, sit in a rocking chair next to my Papa, and drink the coldest Lone Star Beers we can find. Occasionally you can even find me chasing after my two year old niece.
Above all else, I am filled with gratitude when I think about the life I lead. Whether it’s through work, photography, or friends, I have had so many wonderful experiences in unusual places. It’s an added bonus that I always have a camera so I can document and revisit those memories later. As Bob Dylan said, “Take care of your memories for you cannot relive them.” Photograph them too if you can.
