Could you please tell us a little more about yourself. Where do you live?
I am 29 years old and live in Oslo, Norway. I work full time as an administrative consultant, and I spend most of my spare time photographing. Making a photograph is a long process to me. First I visualize the picture I want to make. I can think about a picture for weeks before I make it. This helps me get the results I want. In the winter I mostly work inside my studio, but in the summer I like to incorporate nature in my work.
How did you start taking pictures? Usually there is always the old story of the boy who finds his grandfather’s camera, did that happen to you as well or not?
Yes, that old story happened to me as well. My father bought me my first camera when I was a teenager. I discovered that photography was a great way to express myself. I was interested in art, but I did not have a talent for either drawing or painting. It was with great pleasure that I realized that art can be made by photography.
Where does your inspiration come from?
I get inspired by books, magazines and other artists. When it comes to other artists, I have to mention Francesca Woodman, Sally Mann, Emmet Gowin and Jock Sturges as my greatest influences.
In a portrait, what is important for you?
A portrait has to have a certain degree of mystery about it in order to be interesting to me. It has to challenge me and make me wonder. If a portrait makes me ask questions like “what does that expression mean?” or “what is the subject trying to tell me?” – then it is a good portrait to me.
What kind of relationship do you have with your subject when you shoot?
I usually have a close relationship with my subjects. I’ve learned that I have to be pretty close to a person to make him or her reveal enough about themselves to make a portrait interesting.
Do you think it’s important to follow a school to learn how to shoot?
I think that it’s important to learn how the camera works in order to get the results you want. You can learn this at school, but if you don’t have an eye for photography, it does not matter how much you master the technique.
What’s the photo you want to take and you never did?
I often find myself in situations where I’m furious at myself for not bringing my camera. The situation I remember the most is when I watched the sunset at the beach with my husband and the light and the setting was just perfect. Yes, it sound like a clichè, but I often think about how it would make a beautiful picture.
