Instagram: Switzerland through the eyes of kitkat_ch
We have put a few questions to the charming Martina, better known as kitkat_ch, a photographer that pays tribute to Switzerland and its mountains. Her photos often have a vintage feel, reflecting Martina's passion for classic cars.
The photo-sharing platform Instagram allows anyone with a smartphone to take photos and share them with the rest of the world. It is extremely popular, both in Switzerland and abroad. But although anyone can publish their photos on Instagram, only the most talented have any success. We have lined up a series of portraits so that you can find out about the 'instagrammers' who are immortalising Switzerland in brilliant style.
Meet @kitkat_ch.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I grew up in Zizers, in the beautiful canton of Graubünden, surrounded by mountains and sunshine in autumn and winter. I love spending as much time there as possible. The purity of nature inspires me and gives me a feeling of gratitude and peace.
I moved to Zurich for my scientific illustration studies and stayed there because of my job at the Zurich cantonal archeology service where I have been working for the past 6 years.
How did you first get into photography?
My interest in photography grew during my studies. We had a photography course and I really started to like it more and more. At first I only recorded moments of my holidays and travels until I started on Instagram. From that moment on, photography became more and more important for me and it has changed my life a lot.
Can you tell us about your journey with Instagram?
I bought my first iPhone in May 2011 and shortly after I read about this app called Instagram where you could use cool filters for your photos and share them. I started like everyone else I guess, posting random pictures of my cat, my car, holiday pics, selfies and such. In time I found more and more great Instagrammers to follow who have inspired me and made me a better photographer. I started to document the trips I took with my vintage Fiat500 and somehow Instagram discovered me and featured me on their account and their blog. From that day on my follower number has grown constantly and people started to know me as “…ah, you are the one with the cute car!”
Can you describe an average day of photography?
A lot of my photos are not prepared. I maybe decide in the morning where to go. It all depends on the weather. I take my cameras, phone and extra batteries with me and start to drive and just stop wherever I see a good spot that could make a good photo. That might be good light, nice fog, or an impressive background or something. I can take hundreds of pictures until I get the one I really like. I mostly edit the pics on my phone afterwards, using apps like Snapseed, Vsco, Luminance, Filterstorm, touchREtouch and mostly simply Instagram itself. I try to post every day, in the morning.
How would you describe your style?
I’m not sure what to call my style, for sure there is a lot of landscape photography in it, but also my two vintage cars.
What materials do you shoot with?
I use a sony A7ii and a Olympus EMii and rarely my iPhone 6.
What is the best advice for someone who wants to photograph Switzerland?
Switzerland is so diverse. Explore more than just those world-famous sights everyone goes to. Basically every corner of Switzerland can somehow make a beautiful shot. Our country is so photogenic, we just have to go outside.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I got and still get inspired mainly by other Instagrammers I follow.
A place in Switzerland you would dream to photograph?
I would love to photograph the Monte Rosa SAC Cabin one day.
What’s the most challenging thing about photographing Swiss landscapes?
The challenge for me is the unpredictable weather in the mountains that can change very quickly.
Which of your pictures of Switzerland is your favorite one and why?
That must be one of my Latsch pictures, the place where my parents live. It’s my favorite place to be and I spend every possible weekend there. I think it’s simply the most perfect and picturesque village in Switzerland.
Which of your pictures has been the most popular and why do you think?
It’s this one :
First of all because of my cute little Fiat that everyone is in love with, and secondly I think people like the falling leaves effect.
What would you love to be doing in 5 years from now?
I would love to be travelling the world even more often than now. There are so many countries and places I want to travel to!
Thank you Martina!
