About Me

Kate Coats is the founder of Blue Space, a photo post production and capture studio she has owned & operated with her husband Matt since 2009.

She specializes in realistic retouching across fashion, lifestyle, beauty, and more, with a focus on classic, clean style. She strives to maintain photographic integrity and ethical standards across all of her work. Currently represented by DayReps Agency. Her clients include: Delta, Pendleton, Merrell, Simon & Schuster, Nautica, Good American, Versace Jeans, Netflix, Tamara Mellon, Reebok, Adidas, Nike, Rolling Stone, People Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, Vogue, and OUT Magazine.

Throughout her career, Kate has worked with photographers such as Steven Meisel, Annie Leibovitz, Craig McDean, Paola Kudacki and more, including most of the DayReps roster. Prior to launching Blue Space, she was the head retoucher at SPIN Magazine for 5 years. She has worked in post-production at several other magazines and began her career as an editor, stylist and designer before making a natural transition to retouching. She holds a degree in Fashion Design & Promotion from Ravensbourne in London, UK.

Matt Coats Portrait
Matt began with Dtouch NYC in 2007, working primarily with fashion photographers and brands in the US, Europe, and Asia. He has been a Capture One tech since Version 3 and supports Phase One, Nikon, Sony, and Canon systems. He has been the primary tech for Paola Kudacki for 15 years on her high profile celebrity and client shoots, working closely with the lighting assistants to keep a smooth workflow, good communication and best image quality. Matt also holds a 10yr business visa for China allowing for easy work related travel as well as a Divemaster certification for underwater work.
Past Photographers; Paola Kudacki, Tim Walker, Lachlan Bailey, Horst Diekgerdes, Phil Poynter, Emma Summerton, Mario Godlewski, Sofia & Mauro, Aitken Jolly, Max Farago and more.
Previous Brands; Nike, JCrew, Nordstrom, Elle, GQ, Vogue, Kate Spade, Bloomingdales, La Coste, Time, Max Mara, Net-a-Porter, Harper’s Bazaar, L’Oreal, Blue Ivy, and more.
Noelle Sundberg

Noelle Sundberg is a Junior Retoucher at Blue Space. Assisting with file management, file prep, content creation, social media, website design, and generally all things back of house.

Prior to coming to Blue Space, Noelle was an in house Product Photographer for Cedar and Moss.

Noelle graduated with a BFA from Marylhurst University, where she studied mixed media printmaking.