We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cat Palmer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cat, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

When I was 15YO (1995), I picked up a camera. I had to take an elective in high school and thankfully I had an amazing photography teacher (who taught at a college level), M. M pushed us, would take us to Los Angeles regularly to explore, would let me eventually write my own curriculum, and was patient as I spent most of my senior year in his dark room. M would introduce me to the magic that was Diane Arbus and the way she saw people inspired me. I wanted to be like her. I wanted to find the beauty in others that maybe society did not always see. I have tried tracking him down to thank him, to no avail. (Thank you, John Muelmester for inspiring me and being a wonderful teacher.)

I grew up in Orange County, CA and attended Orange Coast College for photography. I thought I wanted to be an editorial photographer or maybe a journalist. I ended up being neither, but I knew I loved being behind the camera capturing people. People are interesting and beautiful.

Later in my 20s, I found myself living in Salt Lake City, Utah. Georgie W was in office and my art and photography pulled me in a more political direction. I also find myself as a closeted queer woman married to a man and still Mormon. A lot of my earlier work was very feminist driven and you can see where I am always covering the mouths of women…I felt like I was drowning and I believe my work reflected that. I felt art was the only place where I really had a voice.

Cat, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I would eventually take what was my hobby of photography and slowly realize I could make money and do this for living. While working a regular job, I started to build up my clientele of families and weddings. I was still doing my art. I won several awards and the media took notice of me. I think in part because I was shaking things up in a fairly conservative state. I was still married and still Mormon and still a closeted gay. I feel like this shows in my art heavily and people connected with it. Was my work for everyone? No and I am ok with that.

Five years passed by and I felt like I had enough returning clients and enough of a social media following that I could quit my job and do this full time. Was it easy? No. It was terrifying. I was walking away from security and benefits. I would go on to not have health insurance for 10 years until Obamacare became affordable. But was it worth it? 100% yes. I am now 14 years into working for myself as an artist & photographer. I do not regret taking that leap. We grow the most in the spaces where we do not feel comfortable.

I am most proud that I have used my voice and platform to help lift and elevate others. I have also found my voice in the process and that was not always easy. I once did a series called “I have a secret”. It is where I collected secrets from women across the nation (about 14 years ago and yes, during this series I did learn about Post Secret which is much cooler than what I was doing). I hid over 30 of my own secrets in this exhibit. I no longer live with secrets. People could read the secrets 700 sent in, in the exhibit I did, and I had invited 7 other artists to participate with me to make art from the secrets. I now lead an authentic life and have since left the Mormon faith and about 10 years ago left my marriage. In the process, I have seen my art evolve.

And while I am now retired from shooting weddings, I love that for a time being I was known for being the queer wedding photographer. I was a safe space for queer couples to go to and hire.

Now, I feel like I am known for my more raw style of shooting. I am a more rowdy artist, locally. But, I love that I am known for my voice and advocacy work. I am not for everyone, but I feel like the right people are drawn to me and my work. There are plenty of photographers in Salt Lake City and sometimes I will refer folks to other photographers. I think it is more important to be authentically you in all that you do.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Be you, the world will adjust.

People are craving authenticity. Folks are over the fake bullshit. And if they need the fake, there is plenty of that content out there. They want to connect with YOU. When they buy your art, they are buying a piece of you. They want to see into your world. They want to see your process. They want to see your space not looking perfect, but real. They want to have conversations with you.

Also, leave that dirty laundry at home. Keep it off of social media.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The photography side of things, I look at differently than the art side. I love having clients see themselves for the first time or seeing the beauty I see in them. I brings me so much joy. I love people that say, “I have never liked having my photo taken” or “this is so hard for me” and then they see the images I get and they fall in love with themselves. It is the most favorite part of what I do.

For my art: I have a couple of things I love. I love meeting people that have grown up with my work…for example I will meet a young woman who will tell me that she has either been collecting my work since she was a teen or had my work in her dorm at college and it meant something to her. That means everything to me.

Or when I am making a custom piece (like collaged mannequin art), I let the piece guide me and so often the client will tell me all the hidden special things in that piece I did for them. I like making special art pieces for people that feels connected.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.catpalmer.com
• Instagram: @catpalmerphotography & @theartofqueercooking
• Facebook: /catpalmerart
• Twitter: @catpalmer
• Yelp: Cat Palmer Photography
• Other: www.catpalmerphoto.blogspot.com

Image Credits
All photos by Cat Palmer