—Words by Kaycee Jackson

If you’re local to Chicago, there’s a chance you’ve already seen Kayla Delson’s work. Her photos have been displayed as posters and on billboards as a part of AT&T’s Codes of Culture campaign. One particularly eye-catching shot of women styled in barongs, embroidered long-sleeved formal shirts from the Philippines. The steel and concrete of the background creates a stark contrast to the woven fabrics adorning the models – an incongruity that helps emphasize her dark and edgy style.

These are words that Kayla, who also goes by Swiper, uses to describe her own artwork. A photographer based in Chicago, we had the opportunity to speak to her about her craft and how she uses it to elevate the communities and cultures important to her. Swiper identifies as a queer Filipina-American woman, which has had a clear influence on her subject matter. On her instagram, the hashtag #AcclimateNotAssimilate pops up often. This references a passion project of the same name that she’s been working on for the past few years, and features photos that showcase Filipino culture through an angle of modernized fashion. Photos showcasing people wearing traditional cultural attire incorporated into everyday wear can be seen as a sort of visual resistance to the effects of discrimination and westernization. Rather than losing the tradition and history associated with cultural dress with newer generations, Kayla’s efforts encourage they be celebrated.

And, well, a billboard is a pretty damn good way to get that message out.

This project even culminated into a debut show, and Kayla notes that she has plans for it to grow even further. Even beyond the Acclimate Not Assimilate series, though, it’s clear that fashion photography in general is an area of interest and expertise. 

Let’s get one thing clear: fashion photography isn’t easy. Sure, anyone can snap a mirror selfie in a fresh fit, but it takes a little bit more to capture that image where all the elements come together cohesively. And yes, there are a lot of elements. From the materials and fabric themselves, to the work of the makeup artist, the posing of the model, down to factors that influence any shoot like lighting, and environment, there’s no shortage of things to consider. For the photographer, it all comes down to capturing each of those details all at once, snapping those perfect moments where it all overlaps to realize a vision.

You’ve got to admire Swipers ability to make a concept come to life, too. There’s an intimacy to her work, a sense that you’re almost right there with the subject. When backyards and living room settings become tighter within the boundaries of a photograph, it’s easier to admire the painstaking details that go into these shoots. She also knows it’s not easy having the camera pointed at you, and uses this as a way to connect with who she’s shooting. 

“I will literally non-stop make you feel good, give you the affirmation that you need to just feel comfortable and freely express yourself how you want to.”

Kayla utilizes this talent in other projects as well. Take, for example, her work as a team member of Her Notoriety, a womxn-focused creative studio and affiliate of Modern Notoriety, with an emphasis on art, music, streetwear, and culture. Her work has also been featured by the Chicago-based Hidden Characters brand, having been tapped to shoot the Hidden Characters x Dickies® collection. She recently shot for Xingyi Huang’s Water Creature runway collection, which speaks to her skill of being able to find those perfect moments even in settings a bit more lively than a planned photoshoot.

And, considering some of her other areas of expertise, that skill comes as no surprise. 

Music photography is another area in which she specializes, and she works on all kinds of scales. From pop-ups, to festivals, and everything in between, the shots she takes bring something new to the aftermath of a live show experience. While fashion photography visually highlights tangible elements, the idea of capturing music and sound through a camera lens can seem pretty daunting.

Instead, she makes it look easy. On her Instagram, several of her photos from Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash Fesival capture performers in the midst of their set – unposed and candid. A shot of TheHxliday crowd surfing pulls you right into the crowd, showcasing the excitement and energy of the moment, while a low angle shot of BK The Rula makes you feel like you’re practically riding the rails. The way she captures such dynamic performances means that, later down the line, fans can look back at the time they spent and relive those moments from perspectives they may not have had the first time around. That sense of intimacy that she never fails to capture shines during more mellow performances, too. Shots of Yeek lack the sea of bodies from the festival, but instead make you feel like you’re practically next to him on stage.

Through her lens, Kayla is able to weave together meaningful points of connection within spaces that she’s a part of. By capturing assertions of identity, she can inspire those who share that common thread. The results of a fashion shoot aren’t only proof of her own skill, but also an elevation of her collaborators involved in the process. Meanwhile the expression of energy and emotion from a music-related shoot can prompt memories for some and curiosity for others to join a fanbase. Looking ahead, her plans include continuing to work with members of the LGBTQ+ community, BIPOC subjects, and a particular interest in partnering with rising Fil-Am music artists. She’s looking forward to traveling for work and to expand her skillset, so make sure you don’t miss your chance to hit her up when she’s in your city.