FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHER TOMMY KWAK
TOMMY KWAK MIAMI
New York City photographer documenting the iconic art deco pastel lifeguard towers of Miami Beach — since 2019.
A graphic designer turned photographer, Tommy Kwak has spent two decades chasing light — from the volcanic landscapes of Iceland to the candy-coloured shores of Miami Beach, where 38 art deco lifeguard towers stand as his latest obsession.
Tommy, thank you for joining us. We love your work — please tell us about your inspirations and influences.
In the 90s when I was in high school and playing around with Photoshop, I was obsessed with David Carson and his design and typography work for Raygun magazine. His handmade, analog experiments influenced my design process and aesthetic throughout art school and after.
I am also a huge fan of Wolfgang Tillmans. When I first saw his still lifes, portraits, and especially the abstract darkroom experiments, I felt a deep connection that I couldn't explain. I think it was something about the ethereal and quiet qualities of the work — the exquisite light and compositions — that attracted me and which heavily influenced the way I viewed the world through the camera.
How does innovation and technology affect your creativity and work?
Having been in the NFT space for a year now has changed how I approach a new body of work, especially if I intend to mint it on the blockchain. With a new series of work, I now try to ensure the pieces are visually cohesive as a family, but different enough to stand out from each other.
Embracing "rarities" in pieces — which are all important aspects of a successful NFT collection — is also part of the thinking now. I'm not sure if this is for the better or worse, but it is a small part that has changed in my practice.
Tell us about your creative process.
I love to be outdoors and near water, so traveling to Iceland, Faroe Islands, Miami, and other coastal areas became natural subjects for my photography. Before any trip, I will do a lot of research on potential locations of interest and all the associated travel logistics — so there is a lot of pre-planning.
After the photos are taken, then it's time to hunker down in front of the computer for editing and sequencing to finish the body of work.
KEY
INFLUENCES
Carson's handmade, analog typographic experiments for Raygun in the 90s shaped Tommy's entire design aesthetic in art school and beyond — a boundary-pushing approach that migrated naturally into his photographic practice.
The ethereal, quiet quality of Tillmans's abstract darkroom experiments and the exquisite light in his compositions created a deep, unexplainable resonance — fundamentally changing how Tommy sees the world through a lens.
TOWERS
IMAGES
THE BOOK
IS HERE.
Documenting every single one of the 38 colourful art deco lifeguard towers along the iconic 8.5-mile stretch of Miami Beach — in one stunning hardcover collection. Back the Kickstarter to make it real.
BACK ON KICKSTARTERWELLBEING & RITUAL
What keeps Tommy grounded
Not overworking. Finding real time for rest alongside work — something Tommy admits he's still working on, but actively strives for.
Each morning: one thing to be grateful for. A small ritual that resets perspective before the day begins.
15 minutes every morning. Simple, consistent, centering. The anchor of the daily routine.
Thank you for taking the time
to learn about me and my work.
