Katja Poelwijk is a documentary photographer and visual anthropologist based in Amsterdam. Graduated cum laude from the photo academy in Amsterdam in 2017, and holding a MSc in visual ethnography, her work is characterised by a critical look at contemporary society in which she examines the relation between lived inequalities and the sociopolitics of young people.
The emphasis of her work explores the impact of issues people live with due to social inequality or injustice. Through an anthropological lens, she aims to explore the world with wide-open senses, with its beauty as well as its inconveniences, and hopes to stretch awareness and contemplation of the viewer. In her work, Katja attempts to break through prejudices and beliefs that divide our world by focussing on the emotions that humanity has in common. No one will care about a human being or culture different from their own unless they can relate to it first. Compassion is her goal. She sees the use of (moving) images and aesthetics infused with anthropological and embodied knowledge as a powerful synergy to convey lived experiences to a wider audience while questioning the status quo.
Her recent article and film, both components of her master’s thesis, are built on two months of ethnographic fieldwork at youth protection practice in North Holland and explore how voices of young people are hindered in Dutch youth care.
As a documentary and portrait photographer, Katja works on personal long-term projects and on assignments for clients, NGOs, and the daily newspaper de Volkskrant. Her work is published and exhibited in magazines, daily newspapers, and other media.
documentary and portrait photographer
ethnographic documentary filmmaker
visual editor
please feel free to get in touch
+ 31 642809148
DURGERDAMMERDIJK 128, AMSTERDAM
THE NETHERLANDS
KVK 63343479
