Nate Gowdy is a photojournalist and portrait photographer who tells stories focused on intersectional identity, civil rights, and social justice issues. He cut his teeth in Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community and nightlife scene, snapping richly-saturated drag queens and club kids. He recently completed a book for Seattle Public Schools celebrating queer and gender-diverse students, families, and staff. His ongoing series, The American Superhero, uses humor and art to broaden people’s understanding of the modern American story. Photography is not just Nate’s livelihood, it’s his existence. Here are his gift recommendations for the photography-obsessed loved ones in your life.
... moreThe Lens Flipper by GoWing
“Super handy for on-location shoots and absolutely key to my workflow on the road. If you don’t want to pack a bag but still want to carry a second lens, this thing makes it easy and comfortable. Wherever I go, other photographers always ask about it, and I’m surprised I’ve never seen another out in the wild. Kinda pricey for a strap and a piece of plastic, but so worth it.”
SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable External SSD
“We’ve all had external hard drives fail on us, and if you’re quipping, 'Not me!' it’s time to knock on wood and to make sure your files are backed up. As a working photographer, safekeeping of my files is everything. Compact enough to fit on a keychain and resistant to water, dust, and shock, this SSD is crazy fast and ideal for portable storage purposes. I now own not one but two of the 2TB version.”
Neewer 43-Inch Light Reflector Kit
“When I first got into photography, I’d see photographers using various sized reflectors at the park for portrait sessions. Ego would immediately kick in and I’d scoff to myself and my client, humble bragging that I didn’t need one. Needless to say, I didn’t understand light yet. Every people-oriented photographer should have one in their bag—they’re simple to learn and use, highly effective, and I might add, they’ll also assist your photog bud in making you look good.”
Adobe Lightroom Classic CC
“I’ve noticed over the years that most photography courses first introduce students to Adobe Photoshop, which can be overwhelming and confusing to jump into initially. I prefer to steer beginners and dabblers toward Lightroom Classic, which is so much more intuitive to learn and get a hang of. I’ve not only used it every day for nearly 10 years to edit my photos, but it’s also a great way to organize and catalogue my archives.”
Photo Books From Elliott Bay Book Company
“If you’re not sold on what’s included here, I recommend heading to Elliott Bay Book Company in the heart of Capitol Hill. It’s always nice to be introduced to new and old work to draw inspiration from, and the staff at Elliott Bay do a wonderful job of maintaining a dense and well curated photo book selection. I always find something intriguing to set on my coffee table.”
This Guide Supports
Photographic Center Northwest
Fresh Chalk has partnered with Nate to support Photographic Center Northwest. “I’m such a fan of the community they cultivate for budding and experienced Seattle photographers alike." PCNW is a nonprofit educational institution in Capitol Hill that hosts classes, workshops, presentations, and exhibitions.
Follow Nate Gowdy for updates!