Ariel Katz is a Perth-born, Melbourne-dwelling shutterbug whose travels have taken her little camera to places far beyond the Australian coastlines. Partial to capturing nice-looking situations as they arise, we suggest having a flick through her photos as you meander through your Saturday arvo, then read our chat with the clever snapper below.



What is your name and how old are you? My name is Ariel Katz, and I am 28 years old.

Where were you born and where do you live now? I was born and raised in Perth, and moved to Melbourne about eight years ago. Time flies.



How does where you live affect your photography? You know how when Sex and the City was on people used to say, 'New York is the fifth character!'? I guess it's like that. Where you're living informs everything, it's impossible to not be influenced by it.

What areas, things or people in your neighbourhood do you most like to photograph? My number one muse is my girlfriend, Kiri. Other things I like, in no particular order, are: skylines, jet streams, patterns, people, bands, buildings, beaches, flowers, food, textures, trees. The usual biz.

What do you shoot on (digital or analogue) and why do you choose to use that type? I used to have a fancy Canon camera, but I just shoot on film at the moment. I like how it looks, and the Hillvale boys make getting film developed and scanned super easy. I have a few different cameras I use, but my current favourite is my Olympus Mju-II, I take it with me everywhere I go.



When it comes to taking photos, do you have more of a controlled/set-up or spontaneous style? Spontaneous. I just shuffle through my life taking pictures when the mood strikes, the colours are bright or the lighting's nice.

If you were to teach a photography appreciation class, what kind of lessons would you try to teach your students? Wow, that's a hard one. Maybe just that not every shot needs to be an all-out masterpiece, that there's a lot to be said for the beauty in the little things *watches plastic bag dance around in the wind*.

What are the hallmarks of a great photographer? Storytelling. Anyone can take a photo, but your work is really going to resonate when you can create an atmosphere, or like, a little portal into that time and place. Nan Goldin, Maripol; their work is inspiring to me in that sense.



What are your thoughts on the rise of mobile phone photography and Instagram? I'm into it; it's fun, it's immediate, it lets you see what people had for brunch. More than anything else though it makes it super easy to see people and places (and restaurants) that might otherwise be outta reach. I could scroll Insta for days.

What is the strangest thing or thought that has inspired a photo? Nothing too strange, I don't think? I was pretty obsessed with sticking googly eyes on things to anthropomorphise inanimate objects for a while though.

What do you enjoy doing when not taking photos? Chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool.



Where can we see more of your work? You can find a selection of my most recent photos at arielestherkatz.com, as well as a series from my trip to Tulum up on Touris.ms. And if you happen to be reading this from New York, head over to Printed Matter, Inc. to pick up a copy of a zine I made earlier this year called Eggbeater!