zara katz

I created a series of portraits with women who had been incarcerated at Bryan Federal Prison in Texas, several of whom told The Marshall Project and NBC News that staff members pressured them into unwanted sexual acts in areas of the prison hidden from cameras and witnesses. Because of the sensitivity of the story and the need to protect the women’s privacy, much of the process happened remotely through my phone. I wanted the portraits to still feel intimate and emotionally close without fully revealing the women. Working with the ever supportive @zarakatz , we kept returning to the same question: how do you make someone feel seen while still keeping them safe? Using image transfers, paint, ink, and layered mixed-media collage, I created these images that are fragmented, obscured, but hopefully still deeply human. These women deserve to be heard. For @marshallproj and @nbcnewsart

Very excited to participate in @authoritycollective Visual Leadership Salon in SF on Sunday, May 3 💜 You can still register through @authoritycollective bio link! The Visual Leadership Salon is a semi-annual gathering designed to create space for meaningful conversation across the visual media industry. Rather than a traditional conference, the Salon centers dialogue, mentorship, and community learning among photo editors, art directors, curators, producers, filmmakers, photographers, and others interested in visual leadership roles.

From the failures of self-driving cars to Health Secretary RFK Jr’s relationship to raw milk, we look back at some of our best in-house and commissioned illustrations from 2025.⁠ ⁠ “Tesla’s ‘self-driving’ software fails at train crossings, some car owners warn”⁠ Illustration by @erikinternet ⁠ AD by @justine___may @chelsstahl ⁠ ⁠ “Dozens of boys say they were abused in a Christian scouting program that vowed to raise godly men”⁠ Illustration by @leila.register ⁠ ⁠ “Raw milk advocates wonder: Where is Kennedy?”⁠ Illustration by @erikinternet ⁠ AD by @chelsstahl ⁠ ⁠ “Black Men Smile prioritizes Black joy in bleak times”⁠ Illustration by @macy.sinreich ⁠ AD by @chelsstahl ⁠ ⁠ #editorialillustration

In 2025, we lost Pope Francis and Ozzy Osbourne. We gained a democratic socialist mayor in New York City, saw the proliferation of AI tools, and rodeo contests celebrated 50 years of queerness in U.S. arenas. Through it all, NBC News collaborated with photographers across the globe to capture the most pivotal stories of the year. ⁠ ⁠ ⁠”Zohran Mamdani details how he’d combat Trump — and where they could work together”⁠ Photography by @laurelgolio ⁠ Edited by @chelsstahl and @itsclaudiaher ⁠ ⁠ “The next league of their own: Hundreds of women’s baseball players try out for the pros”⁠ Photography by @noahwillman ⁠ Edited by @shazzyrowe and @leila.register ⁠ ⁠ “Priced out of traditional housing, more Americans are living in RVs”⁠ Photography by @minhconnors and @stacykranitz ⁠ Edited by @itsclaudiaher ⁠ ⁠ “Not their first gay rodeo: Celebrating 50 years of queer cowfolks”⁠ Photography by @alliexjesse ⁠ Edited by @zarakatz @chelsstahl @leila.register ⁠ ⁠ “After 34 years, a chapter comes to a close for iconic lesbian party The Dinah”⁠ Photography by @stephanienoritz ⁠ Edited by @justine___may ⁠ ⁠ “See photos of Trump’s military parade as ‘No Kings’ protests take place across the U.S.”⁠ Photography by @lawrensimmons ⁠ Edited by @chelssstahl ⁠ ⁠ “Why won’t you help me?’ Pregnant women and their babies endure inhumane conditions in jails”⁠ Photography by @annieflanagan ⁠ Edited by @zarakatz @chelsstahl @ewrabetz ⁠ ⁠ “A moment of profound emotion and reflection’: Pope Francis’ faithful mourners”⁠ Photography by @samalexandergregg ⁠ Edited by @maxbutterworth ⁠ ⁠ “Ozzy Osbourne’s last stand”⁠ Photography by Dougie Wallace⁠ Edited by @roisinsavage @maxbutterworth ⁠

From spicy school lunches to the (dubious) perils of seed oils, the golden age of “Josh” to the Gen Z stare — we look back at some of our best in-house and commissioned illustrations from 2025.⁠ ⁠ “Schools spice up lunch as students ask for more global foods”⁠ Illustration by @laurenmartin_studio ⁠ AD by @justine___may ⁠ ⁠ “Haitian immigrants grapple with uncertainty as TPS end date looms”⁠ Illustration by @ibrahirn ⁠ AD by @chelsstahl ⁠ ⁠ “It’s the golden age of ‘Josh’”⁠ Illlustration by @drinkyourink ⁠ AD by @chelsstahl ⁠ ⁠ “Why are you being told to avoid seed oils?”⁠ Illustration by @katedehler ⁠ AD by @justine___may ⁠ ⁠ “He hasn’t cut his hair in 323 days. His favorite sports team is to blame”⁠ Illustration by @leila.register ⁠ ⁠ “Women’s sports bars expected to quadruple across the U.S. in 2025”⁠ Illustration by @alliesullberg ⁠ AD by @chelsstahl ⁠ ⁠ “These leading dental experts say you’re probably brushing your teeth wrong”⁠ Illustration by @justine___may ⁠ ⁠ “Some Americans are shifting their summer plans to avoid tariff price hikes”⁠ Illustration by @wylesol_ ⁠ AD by @chelsstahl ⁠ ⁠ “Texas flood survivors offer mixed reviews of FEMA as the agency awaits uncertain future”⁠ Illustration by @leila.register ⁠ ⁠ “Gen Z is staring at you. It may be more than just a quirk”⁠ Illustration by @chelsstahl ⁠ #editorialillustration

In a year marked by deadly wildfires and floods, the tumultuous start of President Donald Trump’s second administration and wide-scale immigration raids over most of the country, NBC News collaborated with photographers and illustrators across the globe to help tell the most pivotal stories of 2025.⁠ ⁠ “What California families saved before wildfires destroyed their homes”⁠ Photography by @stella_kalinina ⁠ Edited by ⁠@ewrabetz ⁠ “Jeffrey Epstein accusers urge Trump to release all the case files and rule out a Ghislaine Maxwell pardon”⁠ Photography by @carolinegutman ⁠ Edited by @ewrabetz ⁠ ⁠ “A moment of profound emotion and reflection’: Pope Francis’ faithful mourners”⁠ Photography by @samalexandergregg ⁠ Edited by @maxbutterworth ⁠ ⁠ “How a city in Nebraska is recovering after the state’s largest worksite immigration raid”⁠ Photography by @danbrouillette danbrouillette⁠ Edited by @shazzyrowe ⁠ ⁠ “Ozzy Osbourne’s last stand”⁠ Photography by Dougie Wallace⁠ Edited by @maxbutterworth ⁠ ⁠ “A virtual education company was a lifeline to a rural district. Now they’re at war”⁠ Photography by @sharonchischillyy ⁠ Edited by @vanessaleroyphoto ⁠ ⁠ “The 40-year mission to stop a Pentecostal preacher accused of raping children”⁠ Photography by @septemberdawnbo ⁠ Edited by @mnighswander ⁠ ⁠ “Not their first gay rodeo: Celebrating 50 years of queer cowfolks”⁠ Photography by @alliexjesse Edited by @zarakatz @chelsstahl @leila.register ⁠

A yearlong investigation from Bloomberg Law and NBC News has found that dozens of pregnant women who are jailed, often for petty crimes, are miscarrying or giving birth in excruciating pain into cell toilets or onto filthy jail floors. They say their cries for help go ignored. Newborns are suffering infections and long-lasting health issues. Some babies die. 📸 @annieflanagan for @nbcnews and @bloomberglaw

THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY // The Inauguration Over the weekend I went to various events—protests, rallies, balls, and the inauguration—to get the opinions of every day Americans on what they were excited about—and feared most—regarding Donald Trump’s return to power. In their own words: (Image 1) Leslie Simek from New York: "I’m very excited about the next four years. I really feel Donald Trump is going to unite the country for real this time, and we’re going to have new days, better days, coming forward.” (Image 2) Wassan Abdelkarim, from Texas, attends Georgetown University and protested Donald Trump in the People’s March on Saturday. "I wanted to just be a part of an environment where I felt like my views were represented. I care a lot about Palestine and care a lot about reproductive health. So, I think this is the perfect place to be if you want anything to happen." (Image 3) Bombshell Monroe, left, and Silver Ware Sidora, from D.C. at the People’s March. “We are two Black, queer, trans drag artists; we’d be stupid not to be out here, to be completely honest, because if they start knocking people over the head, we’re going to be some of the first people to go,” says Sidora. (Image 4) Brothers Jacob and Luke Pembroke showed up to the Trump rally at 7:30 a.m. to stand in line with hopes of attending. (Image 5) Simran Singh Jain from North Carolina came to D.C. to protest with a reproductive justice organization. “The reason why I’m here is because I don’t want to move backwards. Being able to be out here and see this community gives me hope. Being able to see this and remind myself that we are the majority ... it gets me riled up in a good way.” (Image 6) Austin (last name not disclosed) from St. Louis at the Inauguration parade. “I was here for Roe v. Wade protests back in 2022, and I love watching history. I love seeing the government in action, and I think it’s something you can only see once in your lifetime, so it’s a really fun thing. America First.” (Image 7) A protestor at the People’s March in an inflatable Trump costume On assignment for @nbcnews @nbcnewsart

The star IRL 🌟 @awomanontheoutsidefilm

@spdesigners Photography Portfolio Reviews are Oct 8, 9 & 17. Photo editors and visual creatives, reach out if you would like to be a reviewer. Photographers, sign ups are coming soon. All reviews are virtual.

TOMORROW! Join us as we celebrate the @pbs @worldchannel @AmericaReframed broadcast premiere of @awomanontheoutsidefilm on March 28 at 8/7c. This documentary about Kristal (@kritty_b ) , Nyvae and growing up with a father behind bars will open #liberatedlivespbs a new collection of films about the ripple effects of mass incarceration on both sides of the wall. Watch on YouTube or all your PBS platforms, and help us spread the word! Directed by @zarakatz + @rio_lisa Produced by @kiaracjones @zarakatz + @rio_lisa Edited by @suzannahherbert Written by @kiaracjones Music composed by Gerald Clayton Additional editing, cinematography and producing by @changeme2012 @esskay_bandit Laura Bermudez @alexandranikolchev Andrew Frieband Miranda Amey #DocWorld, #LocalUSA, #JusticeImpactedFamilies, #IncarceratedLivesMatter, #ChildrenOfTheIncarcerated, #CriminalJusticeReform, #BlackSocialWorkers, #RentryReform, #SecondChances, #documentary #everydayincarceration #film #philadelphia

Happy belated 35th birthday @kritty_b ! We started this when you were 27, and had no idea what a ride we’d be on. We’ve gotten to see you grow as a woman, an entrepreneur, an aunt/parent, a friend, a daughter and a sister, with looks at every turn. For all the lows, nothing has been better than to see you thrive. We’ve learned about grief and grace, laughing with you even when you laugh at us. We can’t wait to celebrate the broadcast of @awomanontheoutside film with you on March 28 at 8/7c! Tune in to @worldchannel @americareframed to watch on Thursday and stream on @YouTube and @pbs platforms.