Behind the Lens

Meet KAT

 

 

BASED IN LANSING, MI
WORLDWIDE TRAVELER

 

Artistic portrait showing person with dark hair wearing white cap against turquoise background with dramatic lighting.

 

CINEMATIC TONES, documentary & editorial framing.

 

Camera gear list showing Fujifilm equipment details in yellow text on black background.
Yellow text quote about photography against a black background.
Back view of a child wearing a yellow winter coat with a blue scarf and neatly braided cornrow hairstyle.

 

Kat Nguyen is an editorial and documentary photographer based in Lansing, MI. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, she grew up in a tight-knit Irish-American community where resilience and hard work were a way of life. Her early experiences; shaped by poverty, a deep connection to her heritage, and the quiet strength of her family, continue to inform her art.


Kat’s photographic journey began at age 10 with a lime green Fujifilm camera and a desire to capture the beauty in everyday moments. That instinct; to notice, to preserve, to honor, has never left her. Now a queer, neurodivergent, and chronically ill artist, she brings a uniquely empathetic and intentional perspective to her work.


Rooted in activism and driven by a deep commitment to representation, Kat focuses on uplifting voices that are often overlooked. Whether documenting protest movements, quiet portraits, or intimate slices of daily life, her work centers community, authenticity, and truth. Through each frame, she aims to tell stories that matter, and to make sure those stories are seen.


Her editorial photography carries that same sense of care. Whether capturing rising artists, local leaders, or public figures, Kat approaches every subject with precision and respect, aiming to reveal something real beneath the surface. Her perspective brings warmth, depth, and a human touch, even to the most polished image.

 

Fresh red peaches arranged in a white bowl with pink roses and peachy fabric backdrop.
Person arranging flowers for a wedding setup against rustic wooden wall with white draping decor.
A bright blue high heel shoe with fishnet stockings peeking out under a black skirt on a wooden floor.
Performer in sparkly blue bodysuit and matching boots strikes dramatic pose against black background during stage show.

 

Artist statement

 

Weathered older hands clasped together in prayer or contemplation resting on dark fabric.

I photograph to honor, remember, and bear witness. My work is rooted in truth and driven by a desire to slow down and see what others overlook; small moments, quiet power, and the beauty in simply existing. As a queer, chronically ill, neurodivergent woman raised in a working-class Chicago neighborhood, I carry with me a deep understanding of resilience. Whether documenting queer joy, protest, or everyday life, I aim to create grounded, cinematic images that affirm presence and dignity.


Photography, for me, is proof: that we were here, that we mattered, that our stories deserve to be seen.


Travel Dates

JUNE 20-24, 2025

HONOLULU, HI

SEPTEMBER 5-12, 2025

NEW YORK, NY

 

DECEMBER 2025

FLORIDA