Olivia Horwitz is a Philadelphia-based film photographer focused on black and white film work and darkroom printing. She documents urban decay, countercultural environments, and architectural features that catch her eye.

Fascinated by analog photography and printing processes, Olivia bought her first film camera and started taking darkroom photography classes during the summer of 2021. The ability to be involved in every step of the photo-making process – taking the photo, developing the film, and printing from the negatives – is what attracted her to this medium. Eager to learn and dig into the details, Olivia quickly traded in her point and shoot for a Canon AE-1 and taught herself how to shoot with a single-lens reflex camera. She uses photography as a means of exploring both new and familiar places and making connections to the people and communities around her. Alternatively, printing is a means for Olivia to introspect and reconcile her perception and memory of personal experiences with the information captured on film. She draws inspiration from Cheryl Dunn, Dave Schubert, and Wolfgang Tillmans, as well as contemporary art, underground music culture, design history, and city life.

When Olivia’s not shooting or in the darkroom, she’s engaging with art in other ways: taking classes at Fleisher Art Memorial, volunteering for local arts organizations, and visiting the city’s art museums and galleries. Building on her experiences in the vintage industry and non-profit arts world, she is pursuing opportunities in curation and exhibition management. Olivia holds a B.A. in Comparative Literature and Society from Columbia University.