Such a pleasure to introduce internationally acclaimed photographer David Katz and his film Through My Lenses in this week’s 24 questions. While you may have seen David’s work in both the British national press and international press, you may not have realised that he is actually legally blind, a fact he kept from almost everyone who knew him until this month.

His career at the highest level of international media encompassed not only press photography, notably capturing shots of the British Royal Family including the Queen, and intimate images of celebrities such as Elton John and Amy Winehouse, but two long-term photographic documentaries, three political campaigns, and being chosen to be the personal photographer to a Prime Minister. BOOOM. He shares his story below, plus we even managed to get a selfie from the man himself. Tidy.

#1. What’s your favourite word?

Serendipity.

#2. What gets you up in the morning?

Knowing that I was lucky enough to wake up.

#3. What do you truly, honestly think of social media?

I think it’s amazing, it’s great but it can also be bad. It can be used for great things and also really bad things.

#4. Kindles or books?

Kindles definitely. And you know why. I don’t have to read books any more. I can just the adjust the contrast, change the size of the type, it’s great!

#5. What do you think is the biggest challenge to your industry right now?

Cellphones! It’s too easy now – everyone can do it (Ed’s note: or thinks they can :))

#6. Totes. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Footballer. Like most kids.

#7. The Gunners’ loss is our gain. What led you to your current career?

Destiny.

#8. Can you use your favourite word in a sentence?

I feel everything is serendipity.

#9. Now can you make it rhyme?

Serendipity makes life less shitty.

#10. You’re a man after our own heart. What advice would you give to your younger self?

Eat more carefully.

#11. Again, we’re hearing you. What’s the best thing anyone’s ever done for you?

My mum for not listening to the doctor and not registering me as blind.

#12. Tell us, what’s been your ‘career-defining’ moment?

Being  BenjaminBibi” Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel’s personal photographer.

#13. If you won a big award of some kind, who would you thank?

My parents. I actually won a Young Leadership award and I thanked them then too.

#14. Can you give us a timesaver of the day?

Now, if I actually had timesavers, I’d put them in practice.

#15. Our friends have lots – have some. Where do you see your industry in 24 months?

In a worse situation than it is right now – people just aren’t interested in quality any more.

#16. We are! Where were you 24 months ago?

In the toilet. Metaphorically speaking. My mum was sick, it was an awful time. Today feels very differently, completely the opposite.

#17. What’s an interesting fact about you?

I’m legally blind. And it doesn’t get more interesting than that. Here’s my interesting story.

#18. Agreed. If you could have a 24-minute Skype chat with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?

My parents.

#19. Love. What’s one word you’d want people to describe you with?

Can I have two? Difficult bastard. Troublemaker.

#20. Would you mind taking a selfie for us?

I bloody hate selfies. OK, only cos it’s you.

David Katz

#21. What’s your favourite Twitter handle or social media campaign?

@valuabletribe. People are telling me I’m their mentor – but actually, Caroline Casey, the founder of valuable is mine. Her current campaign has taken her on a month-long 1,000-kilometer horse adventure through Colombia. Caroline herself is also legally blind, and has both ocular albinism and nystagmus, as I do. They are doing amazing work!

#22. What’s one quote that defines your work ethic?

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” Helen Keller 

#23. What’s been the best part of your day?

Speaking to Anjula Devi, a chef and author, about her work and how she supports children with disabilities. I was incredibly moved when she told me what she’s doing.

#24. Likewise. Finally, anything to plug?

Please do watch the video, and if you feel inspired, please do one or all of the following!

Share with your network, friends and family at https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/62194-through-my-lenses

Follow on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/katzypics/

https://twitter.com/Katzy_DavidKatz

https://www.instagram.com/david_katz_tml/

Read more about my work:

http://throughmylenses.org/

Connect with me:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkatz3/_

 

Who should we interview next?

We love meeting interesting companies and the people behind them. If you have a suggestion, we'd love to hear it. Thank you.