Kat Swansey Photo

06/21/2024

I’m so excited to finally share my newest photo-series titled, ‘Queen of the Copper Mine.’ Over the next couple weeks I’ll be sharing the rest of the images from this series — a very unexpected trip through southern Arizona that actually was supposed to be a trip to the Grand Canyon but got derailed by a snowstorm. Not all was lost, though, because I was able to capture some of my favorite work yet. It’s taken me a bit to figure out how I wanted to move this project forward, but it’s coming to life in the form of a zine. I’ll share more on that later, so stay tuned!

🎞️ Kodak Portra 400

06/03/2024

My friends Jake and Hannah at Ferguson Motors were hit by a tornado that ravaged Sanderson, Texas last night. Jake and Hannah have been massive supporters of my book and photography, continuously stocking and selling copies of Texas Textures. They've done so much to help breathe life back into Sanderson and make it a destination for folks traveling to Big Bend. I know many of you have stopped in for coffee, snacks, and
their amazing selection of art, books, and goods. Please consider donating to their GoFundMe to help them get the shop back up and running!

Hi, my name is Melanie Kaihani and I’m the official fundraiser for Th… Melanie Kaihani needs your support for Stand with Sanderson: Rebuild Ferguson Motors

05/09/2024

I’m going to take a break from my normal rural and abandoned photography to share some photos from one of the most memorable trips I’ve ever taken — Cuba in September 2022.

While there is some overlap in the imagery, this trip really pushed me out of my comfort zone as a photographer. I prefer my work to be quiet and void of humans, but that is nearly impossible in a place like Cuba. Street photography comes easy for most, but I find it complicated to interact or exist amongst others when there is a camera in my hand. To me, photography is deeply personal. It’s time I make for me to be with *me* and that is why I prefer to do it alone most often. Letting go of the idea that I could get a photo completely absent of humans was freeing and let me re-experience photography in a way I hadn’t in over a decade.

I also wanted this trip to be an actual vacation where I could really experience and immerse myself in all that Cuba had to offer. Like a lot of you, photography often dictates my trips. I find myself going to great lengths to get the shot(s) I want. In this case, I wanted to exist in the moment first and foremost and escape the pressure of constantly feeling like I needed to create or document that moment in time. The result was two rolls of film that I really love and treasure. Though these photos aren’t what most would expect from me, I hope you’ll enjoy them, and I hope it might even inspire you to push yourself out of your comfort zone sometime (or don’t — it can be fun to stick with what we know 😉).

🎞️ Portra 400

02/15/2024

Valentine, Texas through the years 💘

🎞️ Portra 160, Portra 400, and Gold 200

11/12/2023

Texas Textures has officially been out for one whole year! 🥹

Publishing a book had been a dream since I discovered Dennis Stock’s ‘Made in USA’ laying on the floor of Half Price Books when I was 13. When I decided to finally make a book of my own, I thought I’d sell 20 copies if I was lucky — and that felt pretty dang good! But the night I opened sales, absolutely nothing happened. I went to bed wondering if I’d somehow embarrassed myself pursuing a silly little dream. I was unprepared for what the next morning held realizing I’d sold more than I ever expected in just one nights sleep. I never anticipated that this book would be what put me on the map as a photographer.

This last year has been one I couldn’t have cooked up in my wildest dreams. If you would have told me this day last year that Texas Textures would be in the San Antonio Public Library, in stores across the world, or that I would have been on Texas Public Radio & the Texas Standard as a result… well, I would’ve said you’re full of it!

I am immensely proud of this body of work and one of my life’s greatest treasures is seeing the response to the photographs and the stories that accompany them. Not one second will ever get old. But what I’m most proud of is myself. When the third publisher ghosted me, I almost threw in the towel. But instead I opted to self publish the book and it was far more empowering that way. I have been involved in this book from start to finish — I took the photos, I wrote the stories, and I designed each and every page. I have packaged and shipped all ~500 copies (WTF!) to their new home and made endless trips to the post office. And I did all of it while working a full time job that kept me busy traveling AND found time to make new photographs. I have an undisclosed number of new gray hairs to show for it, but I did it and only cried once or twice!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for the love and support this year. It’s not lost on me. Someday I’ll find a way to get y’all back, but for now all I have is my heartfelt gratitude. Love y’all forever.

If you’re still looking for a copy, you can grab one at my website: katswansey.com.

10/24/2023

I’m excited to be part of Friends of Big Bend Ranch State Park’s online auction benefitting Big Bend Ranch State Park-Texas Parks and Wildlife!

These three beauties are some of my favorite photographs that I’ve taken in the heart of west Texas and they are available to buy with all proceeds going to Texas’ largest and most beautiful state park. Hurry and get your bid in because I just might outbid y’all and keep them for myself (jk!!).

Bid here: https://www.32auctions.com/FriendsofBBRSP2023