Kaj O’Connell (b.2000) is a photographer and poet from Berkeley, CA. He studied Philosophy at UC Santa Cruz and now attends NYU as he pursues an MFA in Studio Art.

Kaj’s work is about intimacy and honesty - he prefers to photograph the land he knows and the people he lives amongst.

Education

  • B.A. in Philosophy, UC Santa Cruz, 2024

  • M.F.A. in Studio Art, NYU, ~2027

Interviews

  • One Month Two Cameras, 2023 (view here)

  • Ted Forbes, 2023 (book review - view here)

  • Abbey Roads Studio, 2023, MPA’s Photographer Spotlight (view here)

Nominations and Awards

  • Nomination for Abbey Road Studios 2023 Music Photography Awards ‘In The Studio’ Category (view here)

Books

  • NEST. - 2022 - SOLD OUT

  • An American Cloud, May, 2023 - SOLD OUT

  • An American Cloud, Second Edition, Jan, 2024 (view here)

  • Iron Lung, upcoming, 2026

Publications 

  • Phi Magazine - The Power issue, 2023 

  • Phi Magazine - The Silence issue, 2023 (view here)

  • Phi Magazine - The Nostalgia issue, 2024

  • Phi Magazine - The Vision issue, 2024 (cover)

  • Chinquapin Literary Magazine, 2023 

  • An American Cloud - Self Published, 2023

  • An American Cloud, Second Edition, - Self Published, 2024

  • BOM Magazine, Issue 4, 5, & 6, 2024-2025

Exhibitions and Galleries

  • Phi Magazine - The Power issue gallery, 2023 

  • Phi Magazine - The Silence issue gallery, 2023

  • Phi Magazine - The Nostalgia issue gallery, 2024

  • Praxis Gallery - Minneapolis, MN - Shadow Aspect, 2023  |  Honorable Mention by jury (view here)

  • Entropy Pop-Up Show - Paris, France - Short Film: “Hoarse”, 2023 (view here)

  • Nominated for Abbey Road Studios 2023 Music Photography Awards, exhibited at Now Pop One in London (view here)

  • Space Place Gallery - Solo Exhibition - Tagil, Russia, 2023