Meet Kat De Guzman | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kat De Guzman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kat, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued an artistic/creative path because it felt natural to me. I always took an interest in art growing up. When I was a kid, my older brother handed me down his old digital point and shoot camera and that was THE item I always brought with me wherever I went. I took my first art class in video production during high school and was in love. I wanted to learn more and immerse myself in the art world, whatever that meant to me at the time.Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art consists of photography and video and I want to branch out to other mediums such as graphic design. I first and foremost have been involved with photography ever since I was a kid, everything else developed later on. I enjoy both commercial and fine art photography but understand both are opposites to each other. Alot of trial and error led me to where I am today and I’m still in the process of figuring it out. I truly believe it will be an ongoing cycle in my lifetime as the creative field is volatile. It was definitely not easy as there’s various approaches in “making it” and even that is up to individual interpretation. I was able to overcome such challenges in getting to where I am today with the help of my creative peers. Community is essential especially in art. I stray from the competitive nature of the mainstream art market and instead look towards artists who advocate for a community approach. I’ve learned that looking out for each other really goes a long way and yields abundance for all. You also have to show up for yourself and put initiative into things in order for things to occur.

What I want the world to know about me and my story is the importance of community. The right people and opportunities will come to you once you direct your focus to what YOU want and need. Your intentions always need to be clear and concise. This is still an ongoing lesson for myself to learn but I can already attest that the things I’ve always yearned for manifested themselves at the right times.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Chinatown: Grab a quick bite at Won Kok, a hole-in-the-wall Cantonese restaurant I’ve grown up with since I was a kid. Depending on time of day, lines are either busy or sparse. I always tell everyone to get a couple egg custards to try for themselves because they’re so good. I personally order 10 because they sell out fast lol.

I like to walk around the plazas and check out the small shops around as well

Hollywood:
Sneaker Garden. My good friend, Duzzy, manages the shop and his passion for the sneaker and streetwear culture is on par. He’s always happy to help with your needs! Stop by and check out the ever-changing sneaker wall or browse thru cool vintage pieces and streetwear. Bonus, it’s not as hectic as it’d be if you went thru Melrose and Fairfax for your sneaker fix.

Long Beach:
Retro Row. It’s a strip of few blocks along 4th Street that consists of secondhand/vintage shops, restaurants and many more. Alot of it are small businesses too. Lately, I’ve been excited for the newest camera and photo shop that opened on that block called Relics. It’s Black-owned and I appreciate Relics’ mission to make the art of photography widely accessible to the local community through their photowalks or pop-up galleries where anyone can submit their own work for show.

Signal Hill Overlook. I like catching this place off hours because it gets PACKED but I make exceptions in the evenings when you catch the sunset and see the lights go on over the whole city <3

The Beach Bike Path. You’ll know it when you see it. I go on mornings or late afternoons to walk or cruise on my board there with my headphones in. It’s a great way to unwind and a fun place to people watch.Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate my shoutout to my photo collective, Off Season. I am grateful to have everyone there as a friend and support each other’s creative and personal endeavors. My drive and passion for photography and art in general wouldn’t have been fueled if it weren’t for them. I look forward to creating and participating in more events for our local art communities. Here’s to more blessings and opportunities ✨

I also want to shoutout to my peers and professors in undergrad. Thank you for lending me a voice as well with giving direction to how art and photography can be both approached and scrutinized.

Shoutout to fellow local artists I have met over the recent years. I admire alot of you for your work in your communities and your humility. Also thank you for being genuinely human first and foremost.

Shoutout to my mom for being the star of my undergrad thesis project. You may not realize or understand the impact or intentions put into that body of work but it’s resonated with so many people beyond your grasp.

Shoutout to anyone else who’s believed in me and my work. I love you and believe in you too ❤

Website: https://katdgz.com/

Instagram: katdgz

Other: ‘The Remnant Space’ – BFA Photography 2020 Senior Group Thesis (My undergraduate thesis project amongst other projects with my cohort) https://www.theremnant.space/