Kate Swift is a Dublin based photographer working across digital and analogue formats, with a practise rooted in portraiture and storytelling. She is passionate about working with people, creating a relaxed, comfortable environment that allows for genuine connection. Whether in a studio or on location, she aims to capture moments that feel genuine and deeply personal.
Alongside commissioned work, her personal practise explores themes of community, place, identity and loss. She uses photography as a way to witness, remember and give voice to individuals and communities, focusing on the quieter stories that are often overlooked. Her work is driven by a desire to connect, preserve, and reflect the complexity of lived experience through intimate visual narratives.
With a background in Psychology, Art History and Creative Advertising, Kate holds a BA from University College Dublin, a Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Advertising from Axis Adschool Auckland and more recently a BA in Photographic Media from Griffith College Dublin. Kate is a member of the Therapeutic Photography Network of Ireland.
Kate has exhibited work at the ‘Opening The Gates’ Photo Ireland Festival in Dublin Castle, Halftone Exhibition at The Library Project, The Darkroom, The National Print Museum, Culture Night x IOVA Group Show and RHA Annual Exhibition Shortlisting. Kate was recently awarded the Arts Council Agility Award and her work has been purchased by The Office of Public Works (OPW) in Ireland.
Exhibitions:
2024 - Agility Award Recipient - Arts Council Ireland
2024 - IOVA & Culture Night - ‘Echoes of Ireland’ Group Exhibition
2023 - Halftone - The Library Project, Dublin
2023 - IOVA - ‘Prisms Inside’ - Group Exhibition
2022 - PhotoIreland Festival, Photobook Exhibited - Dublin Castle
2022 - Source Magazine, Graduate Selection
2021 - Agora, Group Exhibition - The Darkroom, Dublin
2021 - Halftone - The Library Project, Dublin
2021 - The Chapel, Group Exhibition - National Print Museum, Dublin
Education:
2023 - Bachelor Photographic Media - Griffith College, Dublin
2007 - Postgrad Creative Advertising - Axis Adschool, Auckland
2005 - Bachelor Psychology & Art History - UCD, Dublin
Awards:
2024 - Agility Award Recipient - Arts Council Ireland
2022 - Shortlisted SMEDIA Awards - Photographer of the Year
2021 - Shortlisted - RHA Annual Exhibition
2020 - Business To Arts - Runner Up - Docklands Competition
2020 - SMEDIA Awards - Gold - News & Documentary Photographer
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