My name is Natalja Kent. I picked up a camera at 15 and never put it down.
The daughter of gifted artists, I was formally trained in painting and photography from my earliest years, and later studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York City under gifted photographers who pushed me to see more deeply. You can see my fine art work here.
For 20+ years I've documented cultural heritage, the traditions and communities that deserve a careful, unhurried eye. Along the way I've photographed history as it happened — including a book of the Blaschka Glass Flowers at Harvard, Fabricating Wilderness book with NHM of LA and the legalization of gay marriage on the floor of the Rhode Island State House. I’ve built lasting relationships with institutions like The California Native Plant Society, The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, MoMA, the Art Institute of Chicago, LACMA, Pace Gallery, and the Harvard Art Museums.
When I'm not shooting, you'll find me surfing, playing in my band, or tending to my garden.
I'd love to document your next artwork, activation or event. Please be in touch! Studio(at)SOManifest.com
The Museum of Modern Art NY, The Harvard University Herbarium, The Harvard Art Museums, Thrill Jockey Records, Robin Nanny Studio, Postmates, Fast Company, PrettyLitter, Benefit Cosmetics, Saalt, Charlotte Stone Shoes, Graf Lantz, Plaine Products, Wired Magazine, Phaidon, New York Times Magazine, CVS/Pharmacy, IO Donna Magazine and Tom Tom Magazine.
Exhibitions and Awards
2022 Solo Exhibition, Situations Gallery at Foreland, 2022 Recipient of ArtAffect Grant, 2021 APA LA Of the Clock Winner, 2020 Google Artist in Residence, 2019 Artist in Residence for the City of Santa Monica at Camera Obscura.