Alexandra Kacha: putting a dreamy queer lens to kink

We’re used to seeing kink and fetish in a certain visual context: usually something dark and involving dungeons. And while this is an image many of us fall in love with and remain drawn to, it is by no means the only way to look at these precious things. The world of photographer Alexandra Kacha, who documents kinksters, queers, sex workers, and dominatrixes, is different: luminous colours, soft hues, tenderly blurred lights, and luscious nature. It reminds us that kink has a place in many different contexts: in the daylight, as part of our intimate relationships, in our flats and bedrooms, in our imagination, and in our reflections — something that can be celebrated as part of us, rather than hidden away.

Alexandra’s work has an instantly recognisable aesthetic, something hard to achieve in our visually oversaturated world. But more special are the people they feature, each powerful and beautifully authentic in their kinks. It’s a pleasure to get lost in the photographer’s work because it’s charged with a special kind of collaborative creativity where no two characters are the same. It is a sanctuary where diverse bodies and pleasures are celebrated with joy and empathy: a rarity in an online world that’s increasingly hostile towards sexual imagery.

“I've always thought like It's my purpose to make people feel seen”, Alexandra admits. They originally started taking pictures in high school and later photographed their friends who worked as dominatrixes in Austin, Texas. Now based in LA, they still work with a broad range of sex workers and porn performers, as well as people from the kink and BDSM community. Sometimes, their subjects are simply people who want to document themselves in their most intimate states: be that with their kinks, showing their love or relationships, or just themselves the way they are in the present moment. And frankly, who wouldn’t want to be part of Alexandra’s dreamy and queer, hot and beautiful universe?

In the past year, Alexandra has been doing a lot of online shoots via Facetime or Zoom. They admit that it’s unusual to do shoots from one’s desk – but it’s beautiful to see the growing geographical reach of their work. Here, I chat with the photographer about their practice, queering up erotic photography, and the looming issue of internet censorship.

How did you get into photography? Would you describe yourself as someone who always works with erotic photography, sexuality, and kink?

I've kind of always been in the freaky art world. When I was young, my friend was a dominatrix, and I started by taking their work photos. Even when I was young, I always asked my friends if they would get nude to take photos. In high school, I might have been like 17, I made all my friends get nude for a project and took photos of them in their rooms. And yeah, and I got into a bunch of trouble at school for that. Also I've always been drawn to things like astrology, witchcraft, and kink.

Would you say you primarily photograph people who have a connection to the kink world?

I photograph a lot of dominatrixes, a lot of full-service sex workers, a lot of queer love, a lot of couples or people who are into kink and want to document it…  A few years ago, I was working on a lot of porn sets. But now primarily it’s just shoots, my house is like a studio. With most of people I photograph, it feels like a connection is natural. I feel like the freaks always find each other.

So how do you usually work with people? It feels like you're really good at creating space for your subjects to express themselves, and everyone looks unique. 

I've always thought that it’s my purpose to make people feel seen. I've always made people feel comforted. I make it fun too.  I'm kind of soft, and once we get into the shooting, I'm like a coach, or a cheerleader. I direct people very fast. So they start to have a lot of fun and they just get into it. Also, I don't have a lot of shame. I've kind of seen it all at this point too. So I think that helps people. I don't mind anything really.

I love the sets you make for your shoots, and how soft and luminous and intricate they are. Do you have any favourite objects or things to use?

I love draping satin and silk. I love ottomans, chains, mirrors, candles, and the colour orange. I love a lot of religious imagery. I’ve got catholic guilt and it comes out in my work a lot. Crosses, rosaries, fire.

I'm always interested in different perspectives on erotic photography. I love that you show that kink can be anything: it can be dreamy, it can be soft, it can be full of colour, and it doesn’t always have to be the dungeon. Did you consciously develop this style?

Seven or eight years ago, I was shooting a lot of dominatrixes in Austin, and I used to put tulle or nylon over my lens. I love sparkles and I used a prism to create this dreamy scape, but with subs with a heel in their mouth. And I love 1980s imagery, the effects of photography back then, I use a lot of old filters. I love mixing darker, erotic things with flare and diffusion, almost making it confusing for the viewer. 

Do you have any books or films or anything which has shaped your visual perspective?

I loved Nan Goldin when I was really young. I wanted to do the same thing but in my own queer world. I just love the voyeur aspect of it all.

The history of erotic photography is very much connected to the male gaze. How does it feel to be working in this context as a queer non-binary person – and do you feel like your gaze is subversive?

I feel like this is one of the reasons other trans people are drawn to me  – I am able to bring out that fluid gender expression. I like playing with androgynous themes in my work. I also create a safe space for people who are gender questioning or transitioning – I love finding ways for them to pose and embody who they are.

How do you feel about your work in the contemporary online environment – with all the recent regulations on Instagram and Twitter which are hostile towards nudity and erotic imagery?

On instagram, for some reason, my account is rarely flagged – I feel like the algorithm doesn't understand what's happening in the images. But it still has a huge impact on my work. Every time the rules tighten, I can feel how conditioned I become. For example, it's trained me not to shoot someone's chest. Even when people do nude shoots now, my brain is conditioned to do more covered up poses – and it's just taking away from art as a whole.

Do you have any regular collaborators who inspire you?

Body of Sarz – they're my favourite to work with in LA, we create a lot of weird shit. There's a group of dommes I work with a lot in Austin, and they bring their subs over and it's just so fun. But I’d say Bram Strokeher from Austin, and Body of Sarz – they both hate the word muse but for me they kind of are.

Follow Alexandra Kacha on Instragram and Twitter, or book a virtual shoot through their website.