Q&A with RADIANT REBEL | Kitty Holland
Photo by Vanessa Heins
For more than fifteen years, Toronto photographer and ceramic artist Kitty Holland (aka Katherine Holland) has built a career around people - capturing them in moments that feel honest, electric, and deeply human. From magazine covers to major campaigns for some of Canada’s biggest media networks, her work is driven by curiosity, connection, and the belief that the best idea always wins.
Kitty is a champion of vulnerability and real beauty, known for creating sets where people feel comfortable enough to loosen up, play, and show up exactly as they are.
In this conversation, she reflects on creativity as survival, the quiet power of temporary courage, and why the choices we avoid are often the ones that shape our lives the most.
What’s the version of your life people see and what’s the part they don’t see that actually makes it possible?
KH: People see the enthusiastic, human-loving, dopamine and caffeine fuelled energizer bunny on set. They don’t see me staring at the wall in silence when I get home. The late nights up editing, the equipment rentals, and prop pickups, the school drop offs, the endless laundry, or the endless support of my beautiful husband and daughter that enables me to pull my socks up every morning and get down to business. Life is a balance, and you need it to be in order to be able to appreciate everything you have.
You’ve lived on both sides of the camera. What did being “seen” teach you about how you now see other people?
KH: I think validation can be a double edged sword. I loved working in TV, and had a real hunger in my belly for it, because I knew in my heart that I wanted be able to make people happy, and thought that with the right fit, I could do that. When the camera started rolling it was like I was able to engage more deeply and more thoughtfully with whoever I was speaking to, because the camera gives it this urgent and pregnant energy. Now, I see a lot of distrust for cameras, and a lot of over-thinking. The looseness that used to exist in television simply isn’t there any more, and it has extended to all parts of the industry. People are terrified of judgement and looking less than perfect. I try my hardest to help them see what I see: they are a perfect and interesting being, just as they are. They are going to look different from every angle, and the sooner they are able to love all of them, the happier they will be. I shoot with a collaborative and compassionate eye, trying to make everyone feel as comfortable as possible, so that not only do they have great photos, but a memory of a great experience that pumped their tires a bit. If we can’t play- what are we even doing here.
When did your creative life stop being something you did and start being who you are? What shifted for you?
KH: For me, creating is survival. That might sound super pretentious and dramatic. But I literally have to make things or my brain feels like it’s completely overloading. My brain has always gone a mile a minute, and unless I can channel that into something - I can’t get off the merry-go-round. I also feel that life is in what you give. My creative life enables me to hang out with people I never would meet otherwise. It allows me to take risks, to grow, and I am absolutely never bored.
Tell me about a choice that looked risky from the outside but felt inevitable to you. What did you understand that others didn’t?
KH: Haha. This is a good one, because I literally just launched a group photo trip to Africa on an impulse, and thought there was a very good chance no one would come and that I would have to run away with my tail between my legs. But fuck man, people really show up for you sometimes! The trip is almost sold out, and even a year ago I can’t imagine having launched it. I actually feel like the magic of risk is when it DOESN’T feel inevitable to you. When you are like fuck man - I have a chance to make a choice right now. Wouldn’t it be more fun to take advantage of some temporary courage and just do something different? So I suppose what I understand is that- life is always choices, sometimes in the ones you make, but also in the ones you make by not making one. And THOSE are the most dangerous ones.
What’s a rule you broke in your work or in your life that you’re genuinely glad you broke?
KH: I think when you first start you are very concerned with coming across as polished and capable. You want to feel edgy and innovative and look like a fully formed career person. And a lot of that is necessary. You actually do have to prove yourself to people in the beginning. And a lot of what you are to people is what you say you are - they simply follow along. But now I have completely broken the rules in that, and am actually only really drawn to the vulnerability of others both in life and in business. When you show your cards, you will be absolutely shocked at how many people feel seen, and then become personally invested in pushing you along. And I think a lot of that has trickled down to my photography style now as well. I want to be a cheerleader for them.
How has your perception of beauty evolved from your early 20’s to now? What feels beautiful to you at this stage of life?
KH: Man, were we ever shit on as women when I grew up. I remember the amount of retouching in photographs was UNBELIEVABLE, the way we were portrayed in film was bananas, and you absolutely felt that you couldn’t win. Everyone was supposed to be the SEXIEST person ever. I’m trying to remember myself in my 20’s. I definitely wore more makeup (I only wear lipstick now). I wore tighter clothing. I felt more was asked of me in that department. Like life was a constant audition. Now I favour a more sunken-in beauty. That’s the best way I have to describe it. I like a natural consistency. A truthfulness. Honesty and bravery are the absolute sexiest thing to me.
Has working in visual industries changed how you relate to your own appearance? In what ways?
KH: I think people assume working in a visual industry would make you hyper critical of your own appearance. But for me it has sort of done the opposite! Being part of those meetings with art directors and casting agents and clients for so long, you realize that everything they are selling is very trend-based and cyclical. This photography style is hot right now. The world is into freckles right now. This colour is being used everywhere. And when you see how disparate the ideals can be day to day, it’s actually quite freeing. Because you realize it all means absolutely fucking nothing and you are all just playing around while people try to sell you shit. So at the end of the day - if you are YOU long enough, you’ll come into fashion over and over again, and stop thinking about it. That said- do I regularly buy the cool wardrobe that our stylists bring on set? Definitely. I’m not completely immune. Haha
What boundary changed everything for you? It could be with work, relationships, your time, your body, or your creativity.
KH: You cannot be accessible to everyone all of the time. It is not only unrealistic, it’s extremely unhealthy. Set manageable expectations and then try your best to deliver more than they expect. The world will always try to make their emergency your emergency. It is not your emergency. You have to know your capacity. It is different for everyone. But if you try to tune in on what your ACTUAL capacity is, you will cut yourself some slack, and your work will improve.
What does taking care of yourself look like now, not to fix yourself, but to respect yourself?
KH: For me, care is in the routine. It’s easy to let shit slide that you know makes you feel better. It’s easy to wallow, and to compare yourself, and to lose motivation. But when I am doing my absolute best, I’m routined. Like a puppy.
When do you feel most electric and what do you do to protect that part of yourself?
KH: People give me my energy. I am so inspired and energized by the people I work with - the collaboration of seeing how someone else would do something and the tingles when you learn a new trick and a find a new connection with someone is why we do anything. As a result of that - I’m extremely protective of the vibe on set, and only hire and work with people who keep the vibes high and things moving forward. Our clients deserve that, and so do we. Aside from work- rainstorms. I feel the most me when it’s raining, and the most connected to the universe.
And now you know.
xo Shelley
