Nate Gowdy (1984; Elkhart, Indiana) is a Seattle photographer of 12 years who documents this American political era.
In 2011, Gowdy was hired at Seattle Gay News. As staff photographer, he became immersed in the city’s queer and trans communities, primarily documenting drag and nightlife culture. He was brought on as the official photographer for the Seattle Pride Parade, a role he continues in today. In 2012, he dedicated himself to covering the fight for marriage equality in Washington state.
Gowdy worked closely with President Obama in 2013 and Vice President Biden in 2014 during their respective visits to Seattle. Since 2015, he has self-funded coverage of hundreds of political events and protests across 25 states and Washington, DC. In June 2016, his portrait of Bernie Sanders made the TIME magazine cover.
In 2019, Gowdy spearheaded a collaborative studio portrait and storytelling series, The American Superhero Project. In 2020, he was commissioned by Seattle Public Schools to co-author Our Students, Their Stories, a 100-page coffee table book celebrating the district’s LGBTQIA+ students, families, and staff.
