Katarzyna Derda was born and raised in small town in Poland.  She decided to move to the United States in her early 20’s, and that is where she discovered her passion for photography.  In 2006, Katarzyna was accepted to the Daily Herald's Newspaper Internship.  During this time, photojournalism became a dynamic way of gaining experience and polishing her skills.  After an inspiring year, Katarzyna decided to go back to school to develop her technical skills and look for a new medium of expression.  She enrolled in the Oakton Community College photography program, where she was introduced to medium format cameras and the magic of the darkroom.  Katarzyna began photographing and experimenting with different types of prints when she discovered the process of lith printing.  She immediately fell in love with the results of this process which are very unique .  She began her work using dolls and figurines that she felt she had a connection with.   Using inanimate objects in her work has been difficult, but at the same time extremely gratifying.  Katarzyna is able to pour her emotions into these images using these dolls to tell the story.  Since 2012,  her works have been exhibited in various group exhibitions  across the United States and Europe.  In recent years she was a finalist for her work in some of the most prestigious competitions, such as The Royal Photographic Society 157th International Print Exhibition, The 6th and 7th Julia Cameron Award, The 7th Pollux Award and the Photographer’s Forum Magazine.  She has received first place in the MIFA ; Moscow International Foto Award and Honorable Mention in the IPA; International Photography Award . Just recently Katarzyna's work for her project Neverdoll has been accepted for The Chicago Project at Catherine Edelman Gallery in Chicago.