Kit Karzen is a documentary and unit photographer based in Los Angeles. Raised by a copywriter and a photographer, he was encouraged early on to explore the world with unwavering curiosity. His first taste of storytelling came while directing his high school’s weekly news broadcast — a formative experience that ignited his passion for chasing stories and collaboration.
After graduating, Kit raced track bikes for the United States National Team, competing around the world before transitioning into a new lane with one of his sponsors: a role on Oakley’s global marketing team. In 2015, a mass corporate layoff pushed him toward a lifelong calling. He used his entire severance on used photo gear from Samy’s Camera and began documenting the social, political, and environmental issues shaping our time. His first major assignment came the following year, documenting the standoff at Standing Rock on the front lines of the Route 1806 bridge conflict for CNN.
Over the past decade, he’s balanced unit photography in the entertainment industry for studios like Netflix, Amazon, and CBS, with documentary work ranging from Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign and COVID frontlines for the LA Department of Health, to LGBTQ+ rights at Camp Brave Trails and racial equity in sports through L39ION of Los Angeles - the world’s only Black-owned professional cycling team.
His images have been featured by outlets including the Los Angeles Times, CNN, and The Wall Street Journal, and exhibited by institutions such as The Autry Museum of the American West.
Kit’s work has been recognized by the Sports Emmy Awards for contributions to Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night Football, and by the American Camp Association for his coverage of Camp Brave Trails.
When not behind the camera, Kit is likely riding motorcycles, playing dodgeball, tracking down classic diners with all-day breakfast, or occasionally confronting his fear of heights.
Affiliations & Certifications
IATSE Local 600 Stills Photographer
FAA-Certified Drone Pilot
Hostile Environments & First Aid Trained
National Press Photographers Association
American Photographic Artists
Clients
Amazon Studios, Best Made Co., BDG, Blumhouse, Boosocki, Bunim Murrary Productions, CAA, CBS Studios, Crooked Media, CULTIV8, New Belgium Brewing, GT'S Kombucha, Hammerhead, Jaybird, Harris for President 2024, LAMBDA Legal, L39ION of Los Angeles, Lionsgate, Los Angeles Times, Netflix, Nike, NYLON, Oakley, Originate, Playboy, SRAM, Stance, California Born, Wanderlust, Warner Brothers, Warner Horizon Television, Zipp Speed Weaponry, Zwift, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Camp Brave Trails, CBS, CNN, Impulse Los Angeles, Kamala Harris for the People 2019, NBC Nightly News, Natural Resource Defense Council, Schwarzenegger Institute, Team USA, Univision
Selected Honors
Awards: Sports Emmy – Thursday Night Football
Collections: The Autry Museum of the American West
Contact
Kit is available for assignments worldwide, and can transmit remotely and on deadline. For project inquiries, speaking engagements, or licensing, please send an email.