Nate Garcia
Nate Garcia is an artist living and working in San Francisco. Primarily a photographer and filmmaker, his work spans over a multitude of genres in the visual arts space. From documentary perspectives to world building with brands, Garcia has integrated his voice in collaboration while helping others realize their own. Follow his work on Instagram @new____note
Photographer and filmmaker Nate Garcia possesses a quiet, almost ethereal serenity in his work—an ability to cut through the noise and capture the truth of the moment. Last year, we had the pleasure of inviting Nate to our San Francisco studio, where he captured portraits and behind-the-scenes images of our work. Seeing through his lens felt like holding a mirror, reflecting the true essence of our live-work life. Nate takes the stage as our April muse, answering questions about his practice and sharing a selection of the beautiful scenes he captured in our space.
“everything’s about feel”
Utharaa: Tell us about your photography practice. What are your rituals ?
Nate: I try to take notes everyday. My notes app contains over two thousand pages of notes, many of which involve conversations with myself on what image-making means to me, and what that language looks like. I wrote a note in April two years ago that ‘everything’s about feel’. I think since then I tried to focus on the movements of the process, and how there’s so much language already built in. It feels natural to use this medium to say all the things I wouldn’t know how to conventionally verbalize or articulate. This explains why I have difficulties speaking about my practice and describing my own work. But one of my favorite ways to combat this is to bury myself in research. I love learning about some of those that came before me and surveying their body of work, not exclusive to photographers.
Utharaa: What are your favorite subjects ?
Nate: Tricky question because based on my current work, the easy answer is people. But in some ways I don’t think about seeking the person as a subject, but rather the feeling that we’re after; which is something that can be found in anything. I always try to remain as open as possible. As someone who’s obsessed with the idea of time and memory, there are so many things in my surroundings that inform and provoke that impulse to photograph something.
Elio lamps and pieces from the series ‘Molecule’, available for order in summer 2024
Utharaa: Do you think about 'softness' at all?
Nate: My first thought is how something is cared for. I think about how I’m of service to the kind of art I make, and how others are receiving it. But generally speaking, I am extremely empathetic, and I’m still not entirely sure how that affects the work, but I think it positions me in a place of wanting to create for more than just me.
Elio lamps and pieces from the series ‘Molecule’, available for order in summer 2024
Utharaa: Do you have one great passion or many?
Nate: If it’s one thing, it’s to do my part in preserving and sharing art, and to approach it with the candor that maintains it. I also think it’s important to reflect the times, and to be radical in the manner. Every other passion I have follow this overarching goal, whether it be filmmaking or music.
Palaash with a piece from the series ‘Molecule’, available for order in summer 2024
Utharaa: How would you describe your home?
Nate: I live in a quiet area, a mile away from a beach for hikers and fishers alike. My room has books in every corner, vinyl, CDs, and plenty of dorky things/relics. I’m also fortunate to have friends that care about particular furniture and the designs in that regard. So they’ve put me onto things that I now love living with.
Utharaa: What do you wish was different?
Nate: Other than inhabiting more books, it can definitely be more organized.
Elio lamps, Donut Table, ‘Molecule’ available to order summer 2024
Photograph by Nate Garcia