Olivia Katz – founder of The Heart Atlas.

Olivia Katz is an impact focused photographer, writer and documentary filmmaker based in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales. We chatted about the ups and downs of prioritising planet and people over profit as freelance creatives and I quizzed Olivia about her passion and purpose.

Olivia Katz. What drives you?

Ever since I was little, I’ve dreamed of doing work that makes our planet a more kind and equitable place.  I am deeply moved by injustice, suffering and the destruction of our natural world. However, I firmly believe in the possibility of a brighter future for all of us here— a vision in which humans are earth’s custodians and driven by a deep understanding that they are an integral part of the ecosystems upon which they depend. In this vision, nature is uplifted and revered, her power and insight respected, diversity is celebrated and protected, and all humans no matter their colour, gender, religion, or background are safe, welcomed, and cared for.

Ambitious. And how’s that going?

I took a bit of a circuitous journey to where I am now, through a myriad of health challenges, a degree in yoga and psychology and then ten years photographing commercial projects. But the call in my heart to fight for social and environmental justice was always audible. By 2018, after living in Los Angeles for five years, I was burnt out and hungry for meaning and purpose. I was ready for a real seed change.

And change obviously landed you in Australia. Did you find the meaning you were looking for?

Indeed. I moved to Australia in late 2019 from the US, on the hunt for a life more connected to the natural world. Given how Australia advertises itself to the rest of the world, I had envisioned Australia as a land brimming with pristine wilderness, abundant wildlife, and stewarded by communities living in harmony with the natural world.  

However, I arrived in late 2019 to find my new homeland… on fire. It was the height of the Black Summer Bushfires, and for me, a baptism by fire into the harsh reality of the climate crisis.

I traveled south to deliver emergency supplies and document the aftermath. Those journeys will remain permanently etched in my memory, a blackened landscape as far as the eye could see, forests stripped bare, quiet and unmoving, communities shell-shocked, displaced and grieving.  One of the worst bushfire seasons in Australia’s history.  Everyone said, it would be a wake-up call.  But it wasn’t.

Yes. 19 million hectares burnt and over a billion animals dead. A wake-up call unanswered. But not for you?

I returned to Sydney emboldened and committed to doing what I could to help shine a light on these issues. So I launched a platform called The Heart Atlas which would serve as a home for stories centred on climate, environment and social justice – crafted with heart.

When I find myself feeling lost or overwhelmed, I return to the forest, to the seashore, or the river mouth and I feel the soil, sand, sea beneath my feet.

I threw myself into documenting what I was witnessing in Australia, from the Black Summer bushfires, to the pandemic, the catastrophic Northern Rivers floods, rampant deforestation and our imperiled Great Barrier Reef. Over the last five years since moving here, I’ve found myself documenting the unraveling of the very environments that had inspired my move, uncovering unsettling truths about Australia’s fraught relationship with its celebrated national treasures.

That sounds like a confronting and bumpy ride.

It’s been a deeply moving and challenging journey, repeatedly coming face to face with the impacts of climate change on a visceral and personal level in Australia. But amidst the grief there has also been a burgeoning sense of wonder and awe, at the immense wisdom and power of the natural world as well as at the intelligence and resilience of communities and grassroots movements fighting for climate justice.

There are a lot of good people doing incredible work for one another, our planet, and all of its precious critters.

When I find myself feeling lost or overwhelmed, I return to the forest, to the seashore, or the river mouth and I feel the soil, sand, sea beneath my feet. This earth has us. We truly are a part of the ecosystem, part of this extraordinarily complex, colourful, irreplaceable fabric of life.

Earth may have us, but she’s not happy. We have a lot of work to do. Speaking of work. What are you currently working on?

I am currently based in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, working on a documentary series about climate impacts and nature based solutions in Australia, working on freelance photography and writing projects, and doing my best to be a steward for nature.

I am available for hire and always keen to support organisations doing good for our planet.  If the last five years have shown my anything it is that we are stronger together and that collaboration is key. 

Any final thoughts?

Thanks for having me here Matt! I am excited to be a part of the growing Hothouse community and share my Heart Atlas stories with you all.

Thanks Olivia. New badge activated. Remote Hothouse photographer.

Olivia is now officially our first rostered photographer. Based in Byron. Can travel. Good egg. And starting to shoot for our store opening soon. Watch this space.

The Heart Atlas | www.theheartatlas.com / Instagram.com/theheartatlas

Photography | www.oliviakatz.com / Instagram.com/oliviasavilekatz