About

Photography sort of fell in my lap. When looking back at how I became a photographer it is almost like it rained on me. I didn’t have a great interest in pictures. Or art. And a relative didn’t give me a camera when I was 12. It was small random sources hitting me different places and when faced with the crossroad and question of; “What do I do now?” I was soaked up in the idea of becoming a photographer. Since then small encounters have led me halfway across the world and then around it a few extra times.

I grew up in Trondheim, Norway. A big city by Norwegian standards but barely a blip on the map with its population of 150.000 people. I remember vividly the day I moved to the US to study photography flying in over the Bay Area at night. The lights went on forever. I was 22 and felt really small, intimidated by the number of lights and what they illuminated. I attended the Academy of Art University for 4 years. Had some truly inspiring teachers that changed my goals from shooting sporting events for my hometown newspaper to wanting to create great images. I graduated in 99 with Best portfolio in the Spring Show. In 2004 they gave me an Honorary Degree of Outstanding Alumnus.

I assisted Jim Erickson for almost 3 years. I don’t think there is a better mentor. He inspired, encouraged and nurtured my own image making and gave me a set of working habits that have helped me succeed on my own.

I’m glad I can say I have. The idea of becoming a photographer is now my reality and I’m truly grateful. I ended up staying in San Francisco and have now lived here for 13 years. A great place to call home, though I frequently go back to Norway, which I also call home. I shoot pictures and I’m too happy doing it, trying to make the ones today better than yesterday.

I have been fortunate to work with some great people on some great assignments for clients including Intercontinental Hotel Group, American Airlines, Absolut, Ritz Carlton, Credit Suisse, Genentech, Union Pacific, Toyota, Hyatt, Puma, Pfizer, Microsoft and Nike.

Features and awards:

Communication Arts Photo Annual 2004
Communication Arts Photo Annual 2005
Communication Arts Photo Annual 2006
Communication Arts Photo Annual 2010
2 page feature in Communication Arts Fresh Section 2004
Photo District News-Featured as one of PDN’s 30 Emerging Artists to watch, 2004
Photo District News- Photo Annual 2003
Photo District News- Photo Annual 2004
Photo District News- Photo Annual 2005
Photo District News- Photo Annual 2006
Photo District News- Photo Annual 2007
Photo District News- Pix 2007
Photo District News- Pix 2008
Photo District News- Pix 2009
Photo District News- Pix 2010
Photo District News – Faces 2012
Photo District News – The Look 2010
International Photography Award – 2010
American Photography 2009
American Photography 2012
Graphis Photo Annual 2010. Image selected for Cover
Graphis Photo Annual 100 Best in Photography – 2011
Graphis Photo Annual 100 Best in Photography – 2012
Featured in Luerzers Archive’s 200 Best Advertising photographers Worldwide, 2007-2008, 2010-2011, 2012-2013 & 2014-2015