Kat and Mike Carey
The Delight of a Daily Sunset Shines a Light on the Carey Family
By Bruce X. Forey | Photography by David Teran
An appreciation for art and the simpler things in life was a big part of the attraction for Mike and Kat Carey when they first met more than 17 years ago. As parents, they share that mindset with their two children for the life they humbly enjoy in 78209.
Their story began at a house party Kat hosted while in college. Mike, who was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, as a Spanish language linguist, showed up with a group of friends.
“After the party, I basically couldn’t get a ride home, so I slept on the couch,” Mike recalled. “The next morning, when everyone left, I stayed, helped clean up, and just never left.”
There was definitely a connection between the two. However, Kat had just ended a relationship and was unsure if she was ready for another one.
“A person you want to spend the rest of your life with pops in your life and, it’s like what am I supposed to do now?” reflected Kat.
After six months of dating, they got married. They were 20 and 21 years old. Sometimes, you just know.
“We both like music and love art,” Kat added. “I asked Mike if he wanted to go to a poetry slam, and he said yes. Things like that we’ve always had in common.”
As Kat’s photography business grew, she needed help with wedding and portrait shoots. She gave Mike a camera, and now he’s a trusted second photographer. They’ve done over 400 events together and forged a stronger bond through the camera lens.
“He’s actually very talented, or we wouldn’t be shooting together,” Kat said. “Every event we shoot together and it’s kind of like a date night for us.”
Kat and Mike now co-own DarkroomFoto near downtown San Antonio. With a business in place, two children followed, and it was time to establish roots. Kat recalls an extensive search trying to find the right place to call home. They wanted something in the center of the city with museums and shopping close by.
“We probably looked at 60 properties, and this home kind of found us,” Mike said. “We made an offer the first day it went on the market, and they accepted it.”
“It’s a bungalow-type home. Growing up, I’ve always like that,” added Kat. “Our kids, now 12 and six years old, have plenty of room to romp all over the place.”
Their quaint, three-bedroom, one-bath home on a large corner lot offers everything this family needs.
“We’re always hanging out in the living room and the kitchen, or we’re outside with our three dogs and the chickens,” Mike said. “I think it’s kind of a blessing to be in this, like, smaller, more intimate space. It’s good for family dynamics. We went through COVID in this house, and we still really like each other.”
Through the years they’ve personalized the home with a distinct collection of furniture, art, and plants. There’s a sense pride in assembling a living space that is comfortable and uniquely their own style.
“Every little thing is something we love and want to come home to and see,” added Kat. “Buying something new is hard because we’ll need to replace something else. It feels good to be in a space so meaningful to us.”
The Carey’s live in a section of 78209 that sits in the middle of culture, eclectic and luxury – all within walking distance. The McNay Art Museum, Austin Highway shops and Terrell Hills are essentially across the street from their home.
“We could ride our bikes if we want to all of these places,” Mike said.
As professional photographers, Kat and Mike are masters at utilizing light. It’s not surprising one of their favorite features is the way their home is positioned to welcome sunsets.
“Almost every evening, the sunset radiates our house in a beautiful, golden light. It’s just gorgeous,” Kat said. Mike shared, “You can be having a bad day, but when you experience that ethereal light bathing our home, it inspires gratitude for what we have.”
