Q: Where are you from and where do you live now?
A: I spent my childhood in Stavanger, then we moved to Ogna in Jæren. I also lived in Bergen for a while, but now I’m back to the wonderful Jæren, in a village called Sirevåg.

Q: What is your current job?
A: I just finished my Graphic Design degree and I’m looking for a job in that field. Meanwhile, I have my own photography business, which has been very successful!

Q: As a photographer, what are your aspirations?
A: My dream is to make photography my full-time job. That would be amazing!

Q: What do you love about Rogaland?
A: Rogaland has it all: fjords and beaches, farmland and city life, and the wild ocean with its wind and waves from the North Sea. It’s a fantastic place for photography.

Q: Where is your favourite place in the region? What makes it your favourite?
A: It’s hard to pick one place, but I think Sele beach is one of my favourites. It has beautiful landscapes, and you can photograph anything from the Milky Way to surfers. It’s always different and exciting.

Q: How did your interest in photography start? What type of photography gives you the most joy?
A: The first time I remember holding a camera was when my mom brought home a disposable camera for me and my siblings. I ran around taking photos of our rabbits in the yard, my family and anything else I found. Later, I upgraded to an old Sony Ericsson mobile phone, which I also used to take photos of everything. In high school, I got to use a single-lens reflex camera, and that’s when I really got into photography. I’ve always loved being out in nature, but lately I’ve also enjoyed photographing people and their stories. I get so much pleasure from getting to know the people I photograph, hearing their stories and helping them create valuable memories.

Q: What kind of gear do you use? Do you have a favourite lens?
A: Most of the time, I have two cameras on my shoulders when photographing, Canon 5D mark IV and 5D mark III. On both of these, I use 85mm and 35mm lenses, and sometimes 100mm. My favourite lens is definitely 85mm. It gives me a soft, blurry background and a great sharpness. I don’t have to be too close to the people I photograph, but close enough to give them directions without shouting. This distance is perfect, especially for children who are shy at first and need some time to warm up before I can get closer.

Q: If you could photograph any person or place, who or what would you choose and why?
A: I would love to photograph Iceland, because it’s a spectacular place with diverse and raw landscapes. It has beautiful colours in the summer, and icy scenery under the Northern Lights in the winter.

Q: Out of all the places you’ve visited, which was your favourite?
A: The hike to Molden, along the Lustrafjord, in Sogn and Fjordane. It’s a stunning hike with an amazing view down to the fjord below. It’s a hike I would recommend to anyone who loves nature.

Q: Is there a place you dream of visiting?
A: A dream destination of mine besides Iceland is Lofoten. It’s also a place with mountains rising from the sea, which is my favourite scenery.

Q: When did you feel you were most out of your comfort zone? What did you learn from that experience?
A: Five years ago, I was invited to a group interview for a job I really wanted. They had received over 1,100 applications, and I was one of the 50 or 60 people who made it to the interview. I knew I had to stand out, but at that time, I was much more shy than I am now. The whole situation was very uncomfortable and totally out of my comfort zone. The interview lasted three hours, with various tests and competitions. At one point, we had to form a large circle while the interviewer asked very difficult questions. The goal was to get to the middle of the circle first and answer these questions. Out of all these people, there were maybe only five who dared to step forward and answer in front of everyone, and I was one of them. This experience really pushed me out of my comfort zone, but it made me grow as a person and become more confident in myself. And I got the job! After that, I’ve learned to think that I can do anything, as long as I put in the effort and step out of my comfort zone.

Q: If you could have dinner with one person, past or present, who would it be? Why?
A: I could name several historical and famous people, but for me, it would mean a lot to have dinner with my great grandmother who I never met. My grandmother is my greatest role model in life, and it would be nice to meet her mom and see where the kindness and values that have been passed down through generations come from, and which I hope to pass down to my own future children as well.

Q: Is there anything you would say to your former self?
A: Take the opportunities that come your way, trust yourself and remember to enjoy every moment.