50 Years

Kit Kittle started shooting photos as a child in Manhattan. At sixteen, he spent a summer teaching school in Gangtok, Sikkim, a small kingdom in the Eastern Himalayas. Kit wanted to show his parents how extraordinary this Tibetan Buddhist land really was. This approach to photography stuck with him. These are selected pieces from 1972 to the present day.

Lepchas Gangtok, Sikkim. 1972. A few weeks after turning 16, Kit accompanied his sister to Gangtok, Sikkim, to teach. Sikkim was a Tibetan Buddhist Kingdom, located between Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and Bengal, but is now an Indian state. Here at the P

Lepchas Gangtok, Sikkim. 1972.
A few weeks after turning 16, Kit accompanied his sister to Gangtok, Sikkim, to teach. Sikkim was a Tibetan Buddhist Kingdom, located between Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and Bengal, but is now an Indian state. Here at the Pang Lhabsol Celebration at the palace monastery, two Lepcha men appeared, their tunics decorated with snow leopard fur.

Sir Tashi Namgyal Higher Secondary School. Gangtok, Sikkim. 1972. In Sikkim, Kit taught conversational English and current events to students his own age.

Sir Tashi Namgyal Higher Secondary School. Gangtok, Sikkim. 1972.
In Sikkim, Kit taught conversational English and current events to students his own age.

The Palace, Gangtok, Sikkim, 1972 The Queen of Sikkim was American, Hope Cooke, and had gone to Chapin, Kit's sister’s high school in New York. She came back to talk to the girls and asked his sister to come to Sikkim to teach. Another girl from he

The Palace, Gangtok, Sikkim, 1972
The Queen of Sikkim was American, Hope Cooke, and had gone to Chapin, Kit's sister’s high school in New York. She came back to talk to the girls and asked his sister to come to Sikkim to teach. Another girl from her class was going with her, until her parents read about the continuing problems from the Bangladesh war that had ended six months before. That’s when Kit's sister asked if he wanted to go with her.

Hotel Paradise, 1972 Kodachrome 64

Hotel Paradise, 1972
Kodachrome 64

Rickshaw Wallah. Benares, India. 1976. The depth of poverty in Benares was startling. Kodachrome 25

Rickshaw Wallah. Benares, India. 1976.
The depth of poverty in Benares was startling. Kodachrome 25

Benares Ghats. Varanasi, India. 1976. After turning 20, he studied Philosophy and Sanskrit at Benares Hindu University for his junior year abroad. The city is built along a curve in the Ganges River that faces dawn. Mark Twain, who spent some time i

Benares Ghats. Varanasi, India. 1976.
After turning 20, he studied Philosophy and Sanskrit at Benares Hindu University for his junior year abroad. The city is built along a curve in the Ganges River that faces dawn. Mark Twain, who spent some time in Benares at the end of the 1800s, described the city as “older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks as old as all three put together.” Kodachrome 25.

Thikse Monastery. Ladakh, India. 1976. When Ladakh, a Tibetan area west of Tibet proper, suddenly opened up, Kit spent several days on a train to Kashmir and then two more days on buses, finally reaching his destination in Leh. He hitchhiked over to

Thikse Monastery. Ladakh, India. 1976.
When Ladakh, a Tibetan area west of Tibet proper, suddenly opened up, Kit spent several days on a train to Kashmir and then two more days on buses, finally reaching his destination in Leh. He hitchhiked over to Thikse Monastery from Leh., and soon Kit caught a ride on a truck to Hemis Monastery. He stayed with the monks there at 12,000' for a few cold nights. Kodachrome 25

Next Door Neighbor. Benares, India. 1976. A visit from a Nagwa neighbor while walking to class. Tri-X 400.

Next Door Neighbor. Benares, India. 1976.
A visit from a Nagwa neighbor while walking to class. Tri-X 400.

Bratan Lake. Bali. 1977. At the end of the school year, having spent 10 months in India, Sikkim, and Nepal, Kit traveled to Thailand, then Bali for two weeks which effortlessly turned into three months. He rented a motorcycle to drive up into the mo

Bratan Lake. Bali. 1977.
At the end of the school year, having spent 10 months in India, Sikkim, and Nepal, Kit traveled to Thailand, then Bali for two weeks which effortlessly turned into three months. He rented a motorcycle to drive up into the mountains to explore for a few weeks, passing this fisherman along the way. Kodachrome 25

Blessing of the Hounds. Virgina. Thanksgiving Day, 1978. On Thanksgiving Day, in Virginia at the church where Kit's parents are buried, they do a special fox hunt called “The Blessing of the Hounds.” Here his oldest friends tend to the hounds after

Blessing of the Hounds. Virgina. Thanksgiving Day, 1978.
On Thanksgiving Day, in Virginia at the church where Kit's parents are buried, they do a special fox hunt called “The Blessing of the Hounds.” Here his oldest friends tend to the hounds after their blessings, before they get ready to head off into the mountains. Kodachrome 25

Lik Camp. Alaskan Arctic. 1979. His last job before freelance photography was working as a surveyor’s assistant living in a tent in a geological exploration camp. They surveyed the peaks of the De Long Mountains at the west end of the Brooks Range,

Lik Camp. Alaskan Arctic. 1979.
His last job before freelance photography was working as a surveyor’s assistant living in a tent in a geological exploration camp. They surveyed the peaks of the De Long Mountains at the west end of the Brooks Range, and some days were in and out of helicopters a half dozen times. This began a love of shooting from above. Kit worked 120 days straight, with the exception of July 4th, when the boss flew in a vast quantity of beer. Kodachrome 25

Mauna Kea, Hawaii, 1983 After a 2 AM drive up the 13,800’ volcano of Mauna Kea, there was no visibility. On a disappointed descent, the clouds separated, and a choice appeared between two roads. Kodachrome 25.

Mauna Kea, Hawaii, 1983
After a 2 AM drive up the 13,800’ volcano of Mauna Kea, there was no visibility. On a disappointed descent, the clouds separated, and a choice appeared between two roads. Kodachrome 25.

Quentin. Popocatepetl, Mexico. 1981 Kit and his friend Quentin picked up two small assignments in New York, one from an airline, and the other from a magazine, then flew south to Mexico City. They rented a Volkswagen Rabbit that got 40 miles a gall

Quentin. Popocatepetl, Mexico. 1981
Kit and his friend Quentin picked up two small assignments in New York, one from an airline, and the other from a magazine, then flew south to Mexico City. They rented a Volkswagen Rabbit that got 40 miles a gallon when gas cost 20 cents, freeing them up. Tri-X

Kauai, Hawaii. 1983 Our guide showed off her dear octopus friend who immediately came to visit her 50 feet down.

Kauai, Hawaii. 1983
Our guide showed off her dear octopus friend who immediately came to visit her 50 feet down.

Twin Beech over Herbert Glacier. Alaska. 1983 While shooting in Juneau, Kit saw this orange Twin Beech flying overhead. He told a bush pilot friend that if he heard of this plane going up, Kit would charter him to follow. One morning he got the cal

Twin Beech over Herbert Glacier. Alaska. 1983
While shooting in Juneau, Kit saw this orange Twin Beech flying overhead. He told a bush pilot friend that if he heard of this plane going up, Kit would charter him to follow. One morning he got the call and shot this as the Beech passed over Herbert Glacier. These photos appeared in Time-Life’s The Bush Pilots and Travel and Leisure magazine. Kodachrome 25.

Wujal Wujal, Queensland, Australia, 1983 After Alaska, Kit shot a story for Geo Magazine about the Royal Flying Doctor's Service that takes care of people in remote sections of Australia. This woman was just told that her husband had broken her arm

Wujal Wujal, Queensland, Australia, 1983
After Alaska, Kit shot a story for Geo Magazine about the Royal Flying Doctor's Service that takes care of people in remote sections of Australia. This woman was just told that her husband had broken her arm. Kodachrome 25.

Outback, Australia, 1983 While working with the writer Richard Nalley in the bush near the border of New South Wales and South Australia, a bend in the dusty road led to this car in a tree advertising a restaurant, inn, and gas station. They decide

Outback, Australia, 1983
While working with the writer Richard Nalley in the bush near the border of New South Wales and South Australia, a bend in the dusty road led to this car in a tree advertising a restaurant, inn, and gas station. They decided to see how sunset turned out, which consisted of opening a beer, pacing out the distance of the car, and putting a flash on the camera. They waited for the light to get right. Kodachrome 25.

Roughnecks, Big Spring, Texas, 1984 Off and on, Kit spent about a year traveling around Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and the border towns of Mexico, to shoot a book about roughnecks, who are laborers in the oilfield. Roughnecks, Oil Patch U.S.A., pu

Roughnecks, Big Spring, Texas, 1984
Off and on, Kit spent about a year traveling around Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and the border towns of Mexico, to shoot a book about roughnecks, who are laborers in the oilfield. Roughnecks, Oil Patch U.S.A., published in 1985. Kodachrome 25.

Miss Information, Miss Laid and Miss Used. 1984. In the 1980's in the West Village, Kit photographed drag queens during Halloween, a scene full of excitement and hilarity. With the sudden onslaught of AIDS, these photos were put away. In 2015, th

Miss Information, Miss Laid and Miss Used. 1984.
In the 1980's in the West Village, Kit photographed drag queens during Halloween, a scene full of excitement and hilarity. With the sudden onslaught of AIDS, these photos were put away. In 2015, they were published in a book, "Drag Queens - Eighties Street Theatre." Kodachrome 64.

Cane Toad, St. Kitt's, 1985 Soon Kit had to be on the road to pay the bills at home. For Travel and Leisure Magazine. Kodachrome 25.

Cane Toad, St. Kitt's, 1985
Soon Kit had to be on the road to pay the bills at home. For Travel and Leisure Magazine. Kodachrome 25.

Arctowski Station, King George Island, Antarctica, 1985. Life Magazine sent Kit to Antarctica to shoot a story at a Chilean base on King George Island, but the family that the story was about had not yet arrived. So he caught a ride on a helicopter

Arctowski Station, King George Island, Antarctica, 1985.
Life Magazine sent Kit to Antarctica to shoot a story at a Chilean base on King George Island, but the family that the story was about had not yet arrived. So he caught a ride on a helicopter with a Chilean padre to a Polish base 15 miles on the other side of the island. The padre held mass in the marine lab while Kit walked up a hill to visit a penguin colony. Here are the participants of the mass heading back to the base. Kit stayed at the Polish base for 12 days. Kodachrome 25.

Fur Seals, King George Island, Antarctica, 1985 After 5 weeks in Antarctica, Kit took off one morning for a long solo hike along the west coast of King George Island. The Antarctic fur seal on the right, the male, was big. Upon first sight the seal

Fur Seals, King George Island, Antarctica, 1985
After 5 weeks in Antarctica, Kit took off one morning for a long solo hike along the west coast of King George Island. The Antarctic fur seal on the right, the male, was big. Upon first sight the seal came charging, running much faster than anticipated. Eventually backing down, he then returned to the water to flirt with his beautiful mate. Kodachrome 25.

Whale bones, King George Island, Antarctica, 1985 Whale bones made visible by the bioluminescent bacteria they contain. Kodachrome 25.

Whale bones, King George Island, Antarctica, 1985
Whale bones made visible by the bioluminescent bacteria they contain. Kodachrome 25.

Torres del Paine, Peru 1985 After 40 days in Antarctica, Kit picked up a job shooting in Torres del Paine national park in Patagonia. Taking a bus up from Punta Arenas, and then walking a dozen miles before being picked up by a park ranger who gave

Torres del Paine, Peru 1985
After 40 days in Antarctica, Kit picked up a job shooting in Torres del Paine national park in Patagonia. Taking a bus up from Punta Arenas, and then walking a dozen miles before being picked up by a park ranger who gave him refuge. Kodachrome 25.

Lima, Peru, 1985 On the way back from Patagonia, Kit picked up a job for USAID, the Agency for International Development, who needed pictures of child laborers in the Pueblo Jovenes slum districts of Lima, Peru. Tri-X.

Lima, Peru, 1985
On the way back from Patagonia, Kit picked up a job for USAID, the Agency for International Development, who needed pictures of child laborers in the Pueblo Jovenes slum districts of Lima, Peru. Tri-X.

Paris, 1986. While shooting for a wallpaper book with his future wife Laurette, Kit captured this shot while walking down the street. Kodachrome 25.

Paris, 1986.
While shooting for a wallpaper book with his future wife Laurette, Kit captured this shot while walking down the street. Kodachrome 25.

Billy Crystal for Pepsi, 1986

Billy Crystal for Pepsi, 1986

The Old Round Island Light House, Straits of Mackinac, Michigan, 1986. During a shoot for Travel and Leisure, Kit chartered a little plane and photographed this long run of sand across the clear water. Fuji Velvia 50.

The Old Round Island Light House, Straits of Mackinac, Michigan, 1986.
During a shoot for Travel and Leisure, Kit chartered a little plane and photographed this long run of sand across the clear water. Fuji Velvia 50.

Laurette, Belize, 1986 Kit and Laurette love the water. Fuji 50.

Laurette, Belize, 1986
Kit and Laurette love the water. Fuji 50.

Stonefish Festival, French Polynesia, 1989. For their honeymoon, Kit made a deal with a good friend who represented Sofitel Hotels, which had six properties in French Polynesia. Kit would give them a very thorough shoot of their properties if they w

Stonefish Festival, French Polynesia, 1989.
For their honeymoon, Kit made a deal with a good friend who represented Sofitel Hotels, which had six properties in French Polynesia. Kit would give them a very thorough shoot of their properties if they would cover all costs and let him take six weeks to do it, and of course, bring his new wife. One morning in Bora Bora, a stone-fishing celebration was called for by the island’s elders. In this, hundreds of boats assembled side by side and slowly advanced on a cove while beating the water in front of them. This drives all the fish ahead where nets and spears await them. Afterwards, there was a seafood feast and wild dancing. Fuji Velvia 50

Main Beach, East Hampton, 1990 When the Stripers run in the Fall, fishermen flock to the beaches of East Hampton. Fuji Velvia 50.

Main Beach, East Hampton, 1990
When the Stripers run in the Fall, fishermen flock to the beaches of East Hampton. Fuji Velvia 50.

Crystal Harmony, off Kauai, Hawaii, 1991. The Crystal Harmony hired him to shoot their first cruise ship on her way to her first cruise. Kit crabbed along sideways in a helicopter for this shot and then flew to Honolulu to get back aboard for the cr

Crystal Harmony, off Kauai, Hawaii, 1991.
The Crystal Harmony hired him to shoot their first cruise ship on her way to her first cruise. Kit crabbed along sideways in a helicopter for this shot and then flew to Honolulu to get back aboard for the cruise to Mexico. Fuji Velvia 50

Georgetown, Exuma, Bahamas, 1990 One evening, while doing a shoot for the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, he came across this tailor shop. Just as the sun was setting, this woman and her young son came passing by. Kodachrome 25.

Georgetown, Exuma, Bahamas, 1990
One evening, while doing a shoot for the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, he came across this tailor shop. Just as the sun was setting, this woman and her young son came passing by. Kodachrome 25.

Kit's studio at 27 West 20th Street where he worked ten years until 2002.

Kit's studio at 27 West 20th Street where he worked ten years until 2002.

Jacmel, Haiti, 1991. Kit took a job for the Haitian Tourist Ministry that was conducted between two coups. This girl was skeptical of his presence and got her knife out to make that clear. Kit's guide from NY missed the flight back and because of fi

Jacmel, Haiti, 1991.
Kit took a job for the Haitian Tourist Ministry that was conducted between two coups. This girl was skeptical of his presence and got her knife out to make that clear. Kit's guide from NY missed the flight back and because of fighting it was two weeks before the airport was open again. Kodachrome 25.

Walter Cronkite, NYC, 1992 Between trips, Kit would shoot portraits in NYC. Tri-X 6x7.

Walter Cronkite, NYC, 1992
Between trips, Kit would shoot portraits in NYC. Tri-X 6x7.

57th and 6th Ave. NYC, 1992 An odd place for a riot, but after a few people were stabbed at this demonstration, Kit stood his ground with elbows in and hoped he didn't look too much like a nail. Tri-X.

57th and 6th Ave. NYC, 1992
An odd place for a riot, but after a few people were stabbed at this demonstration, Kit stood his ground with elbows in and hoped he didn't look too much like a nail. Tri-X.

Kit's Manhattan studio became a small set for shooting commercial work in the 90's when he wasn't on location.

Kit's Manhattan studio became a small set for shooting commercial work in the 90's when he wasn't on location.

Starfish, near Hopetown, Bahamas, 1992. Here, off Tahiti Beach just south of Hopetown, there is a vast area where the water is 3 feet deep and endlessly clear. Kit's kids started finding starfish. Upon putting them back into the water, the starfish

Starfish, near Hopetown, Bahamas, 1992.
Here, off Tahiti Beach just south of Hopetown, there is a vast area where the water is 3 feet deep and endlessly clear. Kit's kids started finding starfish. Upon putting them back into the water, the starfish floated before sinking back into the sand. Fuji Velvia ASA 50

Sylvester, 1993. Kit met Sylvester at his gym where they both hit the speed bag. One day, Kit asked him to run up the staircase to his 11th-floor studio so he could shoot a portrait of him. 6x7 Panotomic-X.

Sylvester, 1993.
Kit met Sylvester at his gym where they both hit the speed bag. One day, Kit asked him to run up the staircase to his 11th-floor studio so he could shoot a portrait of him. 6x7 Panotomic-X.

Sylvester and Maybelline, 1993. 6x7" Panotomic-X When Kit gave Sylvester his print, he said his wife was about to have a baby. They came by the studio that evening. She was so shy.

Sylvester and Maybelline, 1993. 6x7" Panotomic-X
When Kit gave Sylvester his print, he said his wife was about to have a baby. They came by the studio that evening. She was so shy.

In 2002, Kit moved from his 27 West 20th NYC studio to 182 Westchester Ave in Port Chester, NY.

In 2002, Kit moved from his 27 West 20th NYC studio to 182 Westchester Ave in Port Chester, NY.

RBS Greenwich Capital, 2009 Corporate work filled in the gaps.

RBS Greenwich Capital, 2009
Corporate work filled in the gaps.

Likir Monastery, Ladakh, India, 2012. Returning to Ladakh 35 years later, this statue that Chinese Buddhists had gifted to these Tibetan Buddhists was among the many changes.

Likir Monastery, Ladakh, India, 2012.
Returning to Ladakh 35 years later, this statue that Chinese Buddhists had gifted to these Tibetan Buddhists was among the many changes.

Mira, Bali, 2013 Mira's dog would follow her anywhere.

Mira, Bali, 2013
Mira's dog would follow her anywhere.

Bill's Chicken, Greenwich, CT. 2013.

Bill's Chicken, Greenwich, CT. 2013.

Pencil Sketch, 2014.

Pencil Sketch, 2014.

No Standing, 2014. In 2015, Kit published Enlightenment. These photographs were taken during his daily travels while carrying around a ceramic Buddha, capturing it in different environments, ranging from crowded cities to quiet rivers. This Buddha'

No Standing, 2014.
In 2015, Kit published Enlightenment. These photographs were taken during his daily travels while carrying around a ceramic Buddha, capturing it in different environments, ranging from crowded cities to quiet rivers. This Buddha's image of steadfast composure can help us compose our daily lives.

White Ibis, 2015, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Reserve, FL. Since his youth, Kit has always held a passion for ornithology.

White Ibis, 2015, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Reserve, FL. Since his youth, Kit has always held a passion for ornithology.

Self Portrait, 2016. For the last ten years, Kit has been photographing bubbles, documenting his visual and conceptual fascination with this unusual subject.

Self Portrait, 2016. For the last ten years, Kit has been photographing bubbles, documenting his visual and conceptual fascination with this unusual subject.

Long Island Sound, 2017.

Long Island Sound, 2017.

In 2018, Kit built a new studio at his home in Greenwich, CT.

In 2018, Kit built a new studio at his home in Greenwich, CT.

Eyes, 2018.

Eyes, 2018.

Kit with Inverse, Sewall’s Point, 2019.

Kit with Inverse, Sewall’s Point, 2019.

Cheetah, 2019. Kit's Animal series places realistic animal figures in unexpected places.

Cheetah, 2019. Kit's Animal series places realistic animal figures in unexpected places.

Changing Tides, 2020.

Changing Tides, 2020.

Royal Terns, 2022. Stuart, FL.

Royal Terns, 2022. Stuart, FL.

Foggy Dawn in Palm Beach, New Years Day, 2023.

Foggy Dawn in Palm Beach, New Years Day, 2023.

Laurette. The Seychelles, 2023. Kit's wife Laurette founded Walker & Wade ten years ago after a family vacation to Bali. She had a jacket made there and began wearing it around Greenwich. She told her son everyone was asking where she got the jacket,

Laurette. The Seychelles, 2023. Kit's wife Laurette founded Walker & Wade ten years ago after a family vacation to Bali. She had a jacket made there and began wearing it around Greenwich. She told her son everyone was asking where she got the jacket, he then backed her to return to Bali to design a full collection of beachwear, and Walker & Wade was born.

Oculus Peel, 2023, The Seychelles.

Oculus Peel, 2023, The Seychelles.