when trust and care take the front seat:
an interview with trans photographer mx. bex
interviewed by addie tsai
photographs by mx. bex
Kitt Spata, a nonbinary trans masc person, sits on a bamboo rattan chair with a gray cushion. In the background is a warm tan wall, a large floor to ceiling window reflecting a soft wood covered exterior wall, and a large-fronded plant. Spata is wearing a white t-shirt, two large chains, and black pants – the hems of which are rolled up to the calf, revealing white crew socks. Spata's hands are clasped, and their elbows rest on their thighs. Spata looks out the window, showing us his right profile. His hair is bleached and combed back, with a wavy texture. Their face is softly lit, and they have a soft brown beard and mustache. Spatas arms have several visible tattoos, including a moth, a lighter, a stamp, and plant sprig, and a rope. He is also wearing a silver ring, a navy watch with a large pale face, and a silver bracelet in the shape of two interlocking knots.
How did you get started in photography?
When I was 14, I lost the sight in one eye from a traumatic wreck. After recovering from this wreck, I took a lot of time to reflect on who I was. I chopped all of my hair off and I asked for a camera. I was seeing the detail of everything in this world in a new way, and I was looking for a creative outlet to feel that out. A camera was perfect.
Portraiture made its way into my life first through charcoal drawings. I was drawing the people I wanted to meet, the people I was attracted to, and these people were a lot unlike those around me. Now, I photograph them.
Kitt Spata sits in a polaroid like frame, with another image of a concrete building and road in the sunlight. The polaroid-esque frame has arial block writing that says "Peau De Loup." The central image shows Kitt stands again in the center of the frame, leaning against a chain link fence. Behind them is another chain link fence, a blue sky, a green baseball field, and a tree in soft focus in the background. Kitt’s left hand clings on to the chain link, brightly lit by the sun. He is wearing a gray hoodie, with a muted green lightweight jacket over top, and blue jeans. His hair is platinum blonde, and he has a soft brown beard and mustache. They are smiling softly, eyes covered by circular sunglasses.
Do you have a favorite camera? What makes it your favorite?
A lot of photographers get into photo work because of their love for the technical. The gears, how to take cameras completely apart and back together again. They converse over lenses and their focal lengths, and so much more. That is absolutely not who I am, but I have been lucky enough to work with a Sony a7iii for the last handful of years and it’s never disappointed me. I would love to build on my collection of lenses to expand my options when shooting, but I don’t plan on moving away to a new camera anytime soon. My Sony is my baby!
What’s been the most rewarding aspect of working with trans, queer, and non-binary folks as a photographer? Is there anything about the experience that continues to surprise you?
When I took on photography full time at the start of the pandemic, I was really hurting for community. I felt like I really didn’t have any close relationships with other people like me, and it felt like a hole that I didn’t know how to fill. Through photography, I have completely changed this aspect of my life. When I photograph another person who identifies as lgbtq+, taking their photo becomes something much bigger than just taking a photo.
Ask any queer person, we just take care of one another in a much more tender way. When I am able to connect with people in this special way, we create a space where they can be their authentic selves. Snapping photos takes the backseat and trust, kindness, patience and care sit up front. Through this gentleness, we are able to get to know one another and I get the opportunity to find out what that person needs to express through this experience. Working through that insight, I’m able to capture photos that some have said are the first images they’ve ever liked of themselves. When I have had a shoot like this, I know I’m right where I need to be.
I continue to be surprised by people’s ability to open up in front of my camera. I often come out of these photo sessions feeling like someone just shared a really special part of themselves with me, and it leaves me feeling so grateful for their trust. So many of these people have become friends who I care about. My community and my heart are full and always growing.
How did you get linked up with Peau de Loup?
My buddy Kitt Spata has been connected to the online queer community for a while, and they hit me up one day a little over a year ago to see if I was interested in photographing them in some rad clothes from this awesome queer clothing brand out of Vancouver, which I immediately responded "yes plz." This was around the time I was really seeking out queer community. Our shoot was killer!
Shortly after that, PDL contacted me to tell me how much they loved the photos and to see if I was up for more. Since then, I have become PDL’s official resident photographer.
These opportunities through PDL have given me a push to know and learn of those in my community who I may not have known otherwise, as I get to reach out for models locally. I’ve also been consistently blown away by the team and their drive to tell the stories of people who wear their clothes. I wasn’t sure what I needed in a clothing brand until I knew of them. They definitely set a new standard in my life through their goods, the meaning behind them, and the care that goes into making them.
Tell us a little about your working relationship with Qing!
I met Qing for the first time at a mutual friend’s birthday party. After learning that Qing is a drag performer, I shared with Qing that this is actually something I’m interested in, too. Qing immediately assured me that this is possible for me, that I would have support from him and his loved ones, and that I was always welcome to join him. That simple acceptance and validation brought tears to my eyes. Sometimes all a queer needs to hear is “yes you can.” I still haven’t made my debut on stage (yet) but I often attend Qing’s performances with my camera and without, and I have seen firsthand the powerful energy Qing wields both on and off stage.
Qing Blaze sits in front of windows far off in the distance. He has one leg out and the other leg bent at a 90 degree angle. His elbows rest on his knees, with one hand pushing back his long black dreadlocks. He wears a horizontally-striped bright green and white shirt, navy blue pants, and round black sunglasses.
Qing Blaze, wearing a white long sleeve shirt, green pants, and black lace-up Doc Martens combat boots, sits atop the corner of a concrete platform, looking down below. Behind him is a concrete wall topped by a metal railing. His hair is in shoulder-length dreadlocks, and he has one arm on either side of his right leg.
Any favorite LGBTQ fashion icons you find inspiring?
I’m inspired by the styles of Billy Porter and Janelle Monáe, but those who feel iconic to me are the locals always on point. Richmond has such a uniquely stylish grit, a realness that isn’t always polished and is so queer. I’m inspired with what I wear through those around me and I love it.
Kitt Spata stands in the center of the frame against a white background. Spata is white, and has closely shaved dark brown hair and dark eyebrows, with a soft beard and mustache. Spata has dark brown eyes and is looking into the camera dead on, with a serious expression. They are wearing a bright, emerald green crew neck sweatshirt, with dark blue jeans, a silver ring, and a barbed wire silver bracelet. A small tattoo on his left hand, which rests half in his jeans pocket, says "Here Now." Their other hand rests at their side.
How would you describe your own fashion aesthetic?
About four years ago, I came out as trans and when I did that, I gave myself more room to grow inside and out. Back in the day, I would model, too, but I took a (still ongoing) hiatus from modeling in the ways I used to, so that I could step away from being hyperfocused on my physical self.
In this part of my transition, I moved into shopping the men’s sections for roomier clothes that weren’t going to accentuate my chest or hips, and generally finding items that weren’t going to make me uncomfortable in my body.
I found in Peau De Loup a style I’ve continued to build my wardrobe on. I probably dress like you’d imagine a trans non-binary person to dress. My ideal outfit would be something like flat-heeled boots, straight leg pants with a cropped ankle, a favorite t-shirt with a front side tuck, and a cozy thick shirt jacket. I need stretch, structure, and natural tones.
How would you describe your aesthetic as a photographer? Any queer photographers that have influenced you that you’d like to uplift?
My photography aesthetic is built around one thing: we have fun. This is my blank canvas, and from there, I can create knowing that we are on the same wavelength. I combine eye-catching colors in my editing style with natural flow of movement in my captures. I cannot help being truly me, and my work visually reflects who I am personally. Additionally, I am a sucker for layers of lines in nature and architecture and that pushes me often to get the angles and composition you can see in my work.
When I first saw Wynne Neilly’s photos of Elliot Page, I added some new goals to my list. The conscious decision for queers to work together means a lot to me. It’s easy for publications to not care who fills the shoes so long as the job is complete, but in this case, the decision to hire a trans photographer to capture a trans icon felt like a breath of fresh air for me. It’s now a goal of mine to reach similar opportunities.
All-time favorite photo shoot?
The first time a parent reached out to me to book a shoot for their trans son for senior photographs, I was blown away, nervous, and so excited. I’ve photographed every kind of shoot under the sun, but this one hit different. When this very cool (like way cool) senior came into my studio for photos, we got to know one another over lattes (my specialty). I learned who he is and got to share some elder queer wisdom, and show him photos of me from my high school emo days. In some ways, it felt like I was showing up for a younger version of myself. Throughout our session, we captured some of my favorite images, and at that time, the only photos that he felt truly himself in. It’s one of those memories I won’t forget and the photo set may never get unpinned on my IG.
