Bio

Heather Swanson left the farm in California and came to New York ten years ago in search of a life of adventure and rock & roll. Working as a model during college, Heather never liked photographers that made her feel uncomfortable or unnatural. Now that she finds herself on the other side of the camera, she intentionally creates a relaxed, fun and inspired environment for her subjects.

Heather’s photos of models, actors and musicians have been seen in publications as diverse as New York Magazine, Ramp Magazine, The London Sunday Times, Irish Connections Magazine, BMG Music Magazine, 411, and Timeout New York. Her shots of musician Shane MacGowan have appeared in several newspapers and magazines across the world. Most recently, she photographed Alanis Morissette for Oprah’s Oxygen Channel and New York Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson of Aquavit for the TLC Network.

Heather’s signature project is a photo series that reinvents the iconic Vargas Girl style of pin-ups with a modern diversity and sensuality. These photographs and others have been exhibited at New York gallery spaces The Cutting Room, B’lo, Suite, Enve and The Half King. Currently they are on display at the fashionable Enve Spa in the East Village.

Both the Oxygen Channel and NBC/Mun2’s The Roof televised segments on the collection and opening party. In keeping with the 1940s-50s feel of the pictures, Heather has taken her creativity to the next level by designing cigar box purses adorned with her pin-ups. She appeared in a segment about the bags on the Oxygen Channel’s Daily Candy, which headlined the latest and hottest cult product finds.

Although a California girl, Heather has captured her passion for New York City in an extensive collection of her snapshots. A selection of these photographs was recently featured in Northern Ireland’s Ulster Tatler Magazine. Her photos were also published in an annual calendar series for Barnes & Noble: titles include New York City, San Francisco and The Girls of Red Rock West.